Rock Climbing

Try Indoor Rock Climbing

by Andy Gilpin

“When you’re climbing the walls looking for something to do, why not go climb walls?”

Winter in the Northeast can be a wonderful and magical time, when the snow flies and the temperatures drop the landscape comes alive. This is the time of year that skiers, boarders, ice climbers and outdoor winter enthusiasts look forward to with much anticipation. However, not everyone is excited about tromping around in sub-zero temperatures or maybe the shorter days leave a limited amount of time for outdoor physical activity or the snow and ice have shut down rock climbing for the season. The answer could be to try indoor rock climbing.

Climbing rocks indoors you say? That seems like a funny concept, but for the past ten years indoor rock climbing has been the fastest growing sport according to the Outdoor Industry Association. Take a look around at all of the schools, non-profit organizations, colleges, fairs, amusement parks and even playgrounds that have an artificial climbing wall of some sort, not to mention all of the commercial indoor climbing gyms that are managed and run all around the country. The sport of indoor rock climbing is becoming more and more mainstream. There is even serious discussion and consideration within the industry of trying to make artificial rock climbing an Olympic event.

There are several high quality indoor rock climbing gyms in our region and getting started is very easy – even for someone with no climbing experience. The following are indoor rock climbing gyms that would be happy to show you how to get started or take your climbing to new heights.

Electric City Rock Gym
Located in downtown Schenectady, the Electric City Rock Gym has been established for five years. The main climbing wall is 40 feet high and offers a realistic textured-surface, which actually has the look and feel of real rock. Electric City offers 1,200 square feet of bouldering as well. This area provides an introduction to climbing, a place for kids to learn in a less intimidating area, and a lot of differently angled walls for serious enthusiasts.

Electric City’s friendly staff help new climbers of any ability level get started with equipment, a safety briefing and basic instruction. The indoor climbing walls work well for beginners and the staff helps make it interesting and fun with “climbing routes” to challenge climbers. The gym allows for lead climbing on all of its walls and is ideal for sport climbing training. They offer group events, birthday party packages, teambuilding activities, outdoor guiding and climbing camps for kids – and the facility is family-friendly.

Electric City provides specialized climbing instruction for small groups or individuals looking for skills improvement. The rock gym has a youth climbing team and climbing league that helps promote the sport with kids. Many area climbers get together on Tuesdays for ‘Climber’s Nite’ and use it as a place to connect. For more information, visit www.ecrockgym.com.

The Climbing Wall at the Court Club
The Climbing Wall at the Court Club has been open for two years and it is centrally located on Sand Creek Road (near Colonie Center) in Albany. It offers a wide variety of interesting climbing for all ability levels. The climbing wall is in a converted squash court that takes full advantage of the space with a four sided climbing tower that is 20 feet tall. Each side of the tower offers a different level of climbing difficulty and sets up very well for beginners and kids.

The Court Club welcomes non-members to use the climbing center so anyone can rent equipment, receive safety instruction and get climbing lessons from the friendly staff. The climbing wall is well-suited for group events and birthday parties with fun activities for the whole family. For someone looking to combine a fitness workout with indoor climbing, the Court Club is a great choice.

The manager of the Court Club, Shye Evan commented, “People are pleasantly surprised with the climbing tower and that a facility like this is available for different and affordable parties for kids.” For more information, visit www.thecourtclub.com.

Albany’s Indoor RockGym
Better known as A.I.R., Albany’s Indoor RockGym has been a staple of the Capital Region climbing community for the past 11 years. This climbing gym is located just off Central Avenue on Vatrano Road in Albany, and has features that make it unique and stand out among the other gyms. It offers great climbing and has a cave system that is built behind the walls. This makes for a dark labyrinth that people of all ages can explore with a zip line, traverse, periscope, cargo net and glass slide to keep things interesting. The climbing walls are 26 feet high and wrap around the entire facility.

Albany’s Indoor RockGym staff members are friendly and they make new climbers feel right at home. The gym’s climbing walls have various angles and shapes on which to climb, and it is “route oriented” which means that they create climbing routes that are enjoyable and challenging. They offer bouldering, top rope climbing, sport climbing and have a climbable ceiling with a tract system that provides for a moving belay.

A.I.R. offers group events, birthday parties, summer camps, overnight events and outdoor guided trips. The rock gym has an active youth climbing team. Regina Race, the manager of A.I.R., describes it as “a family-oriented facility that helps promote self-esteem through climbing, with friendly staff there to guide people through the climbing process.” For more information, visit www.airrockgym.com.

RockSport
Located on Quaker Road in Queensbury, RockSport is one of the original climbing gyms in the area and continues to provide a great experience for all abilities. Staff members are helpful and safety conscious as they take climbers through the process of getting started.

RockSport’s 35 feet high climbing walls offer a wide array of challenges from easy to very difficult. They have a climbable ceiling with sport climbing on all of the walls. The rock gym has bouldering and top rope climbing with routes to keep people thinking and working to improve their skills.

RockSport offers birthday parties, group events, memberships and has a small retail shop. The gym has a youth climbing team and offers climbing classes for individuals and groups. “The one thing that strikes me is how many people return to the gym and say ‘I just couldn’t stop thinking about that one climbing route so I need to try it again.’ It’s really great.” said manager Robert Livingston. For more information, visit http://homepages.together.net/~tcl/start.html.

The Climbery at High Peaks Cyclery
On Main Street in Lake Placid, The Climbery at High Peaks Cyclery is a real jewel in the rough. While driving to Lake Placid on NY Route 73, you can get a first hand look at all of the outdoor rock climbing opportunities – they’re everywhere. Visit this rock gym for a great place to train for climbing those outdoor destinations or to hire a guide to show you first hand.

The Climbery, with top-rope climbing, leading and bouldering it is a treat to climb and get expert instruction from the staff. The Climbery has been developing for the past decade and has been in its current configuration for the past two years. There are plans to add-on to the 1,000 square feet of climbing space with an upstairs bouldering room and an outdoor climbing area on the back deck.

With showers, kitchen, boardroom and party area this is a good destination for hosting group events or parties. Manager Brian Delaney said, “The Climbery is challenging and great fun for all ages.” For more information, visit www.highpeaksma.com.

With all these great indoor rock gyms in our region, go climb the walls!

Andy Gilpin is a NYS licensed climbing guide and has been climbing for the past 12 years on rock, ice and mountains around the country. He owns and operates Electric City Rock Gym, and he basically eats and breaths climbing.

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