Texas Rock Gym: A Climber’s Paradise

Name: Texas Rock Gym (TRG)

Street: 1526 Campbell Rd.

City: Houston

State: Texas

Zip: 77055

Date Visited: 3/29/11

Website: www.texasrockgym.com

Phone: (713) 973-ROCK (7625)

Hours:   Mon – Thu: 10am – 10pm

             Fri & Sat: 10am – 11pm

             Sun: 10am – 8pm

Prices:

             Admission:   Day Pass - $16.24

  Bouldering Pass - $5

                                      Bouldering + Shoes + Chalk - $10

                                      First Time BASIC - $24.99

                                                (Includes Day Pass, Harness, Orientation)

                                      First Time WORKS – $29.99

                                                (Includes BASIC, Shoes, Chalk)

          Rentals:    Shoes - $6

         Harness - $4

         Chalk Bag - $2

          Memberships:     1-Month - $75

        Couple - $105

        Family - $140 (Up to 4)

        10 Visit Pass - $120

                                            10 Visit Pass w/Gear - $180

                                                     (Includes Shoes, Harness, Chalk)

Waiver: Required

Belay Certification: Required to Belay

Top Rope:  Yes

Sport/Lead: Yes

Bouldering: Yes

Range of Difficulty: 5.7 - 5.12


Fitness Room: Yes

Restrooms: Yes

Lockers: Yes

Water: Yes

Classes/Clinics:   “ClimbSafe” Belay Course - $7.50

                            Team Building Program – Prices Vary

                            Rock Hard Strength and Conditioning - $20

                                    ($10 w/Membership)

                            Tai Chi - $10

                            Yoga - $10

                            Kung Fu - $10

Teams: “Team Natural”

                        1 Month - $100

                        6 Months - $90/mo

                        12 Months - $80/mo
(Includes Unlimited Access, Free Rentals, Coaching, Free Tai Chi/Kung Fu/Yoga)

Overview:


With 44 top ropes, 25 sport routes and more than 14,000 square feet of climbable surface, Texas Rock Gym is undoubtedly Houston’s largest indoor rock climbing gym. What’s more, is that the owners and staff clearly understand that climbing isn't just a sport, it’s a way of life, and they have created a place for the local rock climbing community to thrive.

The gym’s laid-back environment allows climbers (and their dogs) to relax and feel at home among the rapidly growing climbing community. While resting between routes, climbers can play arcade games in the lounge, shoot some hoops on the basketball court out back, and even cookout on the gym’s grilling patio.

The gym also offers Strength Training, Tai Chi, Kung Fu and Yoga classes, stressing the importance of health and “functional fitness”, which can be applied in the real world.

The endless walls, which reach as high as 30 feet, are very clearly marked. A team of skilled setters continuously change routes throughout the year, focusing on a different section of the gym every two months.

Six inches of recycled shredded tires line the entire gym floor to break hard falls, and encourage climbers to have the confidence to go for those big moves on the colossal bouldering wall. Cushioned falls are particularly helpful for those trying to conquer the “cow-print” route - a 58-move bouldering problem that few have been able to send. 

TRG is extremely youth-friendly and trains an army of about 40 aspiring young climbers, known as the “Natural Team”. The privileged kids workout, practice and compete side by side, representing the new generation of climbers that grows stronger every day. It is clear that Texas Rock Gym has taken the initiative to pave the way for the flourishing community of climbers in Houston, laying the groundwork for the future of climbing throughout the U.S.

Additional Links:


Blockcast.tv Coverage of TRG
Map and Directions to TRG
Texas Mountaineers
Access Fund for Preservation of Crags

Scioto Audubon Climbing Wall: Evidence of a Growing Climbing Community

Name: Scioto Audubon Outdoor Climbing Wall
Street: 395 W. Whittier St.
City: Columbus
State: Ohio
Zip: 43215
Date Visited: 3/27/11

Facilitator: Columbus Metro Parks
Website: http://www.metroparks.net/parkssciotoaudubon.aspx

Hours:  6:30am - 8:00pm (October - March)
            6:30am - 10:00pm (April - September)

Admission: Free
Waiver: Yes (not strictly enforced)
Belay Certification: Required (not strictly enforced)

Gear Rentals: Not Available

Top Rope: Yes
Sport/Lead: Yes
Bouldering: Yes

Restrooms: Yes
Water: Yes


Overview:

Nestled on the bank of the Scioto River in Columbus, Ohio, lies the Scioto Audubon Metro Park; home of the largest free outdoor climbing wall in the country (or so they claim). This 35-foot tall rock was constructed as part of a recent effort to transform a once industrialized Brownfield site to a natural recreation area (now known as the Scioto Audubon).

The wall has about a dozen routes, all of which can be top roped. There are a handful of bolted routes to lead and plenty of bouldering to be had. Though fairly new, the wall has drawn quite a bit of attention from the local climbing community and can get crowded at times. The park also features volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic tables, a pond, a water tower, and interactive games, which draw a broader audience.

Park Rangers patrol the area and supervise the wall, though their presence seem like nothing more than a formality. There are waivers to fill out, and you are supposed to prove that you are certified to belay, but the rangers won't pursue you if you don't (especially if you bring your own gear).

The routes and holds have been the same since the wall was built and it is still unclear as to when they will be changed. To my knowledge the routes have not been named, but there are a few notable routes, namely; a bolted crack, a bolted 35ft arch, and a smaller arch for bouldering. Though the routes are relatively easy, the polymer-fiberglass composite that the rock is made out of, provides a lot of 'natural' ridges and features, allowing the climber to use less hand holds and increase difficulty.

Overall, the wall is an awesome attraction and a great place to climb outside, in a city and state devoid of natural rock. The people are friendly (especially the climbers), but it is a public park and there tend to be a lot of families and children roaming about. The wall is also open until 12:00am on the 2nd Friday of every month, for those itching for that midnight climb.



Additional Links:

Scioto Audubon Columbus Metro Parks

Scioto Audubon - Master Plan

Rock Werx Climbing - Company that built the wall