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  • Top 3 best climbing communities

    Post what you think are the best climbing communities

    they can have the best rock, gyms, people, food, whatever! If you could have climbing as a full time job, where would you live?

    1. bend oregon

    2. fayetteville west virginia

    3. vantage washington

Recent Replies

  • My top 3

    1.) Squamish, BC
    2.) Bend, OR
    3.) Anacortes, WA

    4.) Gunnison, CO

    Edited by JMohrmann, 9 months ago

  • Favorite climbing areas

    1. Leavenworth, WA has the Icicle Creek climbing area, Snow Creek wall, and Castle Rock.

    2. The Needles in the Olympics has all kinds of peaks and climbing routes.  It does require an 8 mile hike in to reach Royal Basin, as a base camp. These two areas both turn into climbing communities every summer.

    Edited by Harry, 9 months ago

  • Re: Top 3 best climbing communities

    I'm not a huge climber (I only weigh 140 pounds) and I haven't been to a ton of climbing areas, but here's my two cents anyway,

    Pocatello, ID has a great climbing community. It's not a destination climbing spot, but there's rock in the middle of town right next to the railroad tracks (it's actually pretty nice) and a lot of friendly climbers. Weekly community climbing nights outside during the summer and at the Idaho State University climbing wall during the winter keep the community active and engaged with each other. And City of Rocks is just a few hours down the road (there's some other great climbing spots nearby, but you'll have to go search them out yourself).

    Lander, WY also has great climbing and lots of friendly people. I don't have as much of a feel for the climbing community, but I know that every time I've climbed there I've met friendly people and found good rock.

  • Re: Top 3 best climbing communities

    My favorite climbing community is Mt. Arapiles in South Eastern Australia.  There are so many amazing trad routes that are all within 2-10 minute walk from camp.  There is a large group of people that are continuously living there and know all the great routes and are willing to share.  It is extremely cheap to stay there, and even without a car it is very easy to get to town for supplies and a shower.  You need one of those at least once every 10 days.  You are also a short drive from Grampians National Park which is full of epic climbing as well.  I recommend it to any climber.  There are trad routes for any grade of climber, and the rock itself is fantastic.  A lot of great bouldering right next to camp for some evening sessions as well. 

  • im biased

    I live in bend, not only is it a small community but a small climbing community. Every one knows each other and there is a big network of support. Must say I love it. The only other place I have been that could compare would be bishop......but places like Bishop and Red Rocks...Yosemite, Gunks etc... get so much foot traffic from out of state people or city folk, that its hard to see the community that supports the climbing. Thats why I say Bend is # 1 I could not rate any other because I have not spent enough time in them. 

  • might not be a direct reply...

    But, I don't live in anything like a climbing community, per se - Charlottesville is just a college town.  However, I LOVE the little gyms around here and Richmond that cater to us climbers in really nice ways.  There's a converted truck-loading dock around C-Ville called Rocky Top that has a really great owner who just loves to help us out.  I'm a huge fan of the little hole-in-the-wall climbing gym that loves to love on the climbing crowd!

  • best places

    Bishop, Ca

    Boulder, CO

    Bend, OR

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    • By calvinclimber
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    • 4 months ago
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  • My favorites

    Best learning environment = Oregon State University Indoor Climbing Center/Outdoor Recreation Center

    Best community of intense climbers = Bishop, CA

    Most diversity in climbing and number of routes offered in an accessible area= Bend, OR

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    • By silentstars
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    • 4 months ago
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