Indy Climbing Gyms

Post by **dan** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 4:17 pm

Hey guys, very long time lurker, very few time poster here. This one is for the Indy Climbers.

I've been away from the midwest for a couple years, but now I'm back living on the NW side of indianapolis. I'm considering getting a membership to climb time. Does anyone know if Climb Time towers is any good? Its a LOT closer to where i'm currently living than the one on the east side. Previously I climbed at the original climb time because the routesetting was better, there were more routes, and more steep terrain. Has towers improved since it was first built? I guess i mostly want to know if there's good terrain, good routesetting and enough bouldering to keep someone from being bored who wants to climb 2-4 nights a week. Whats the atmosphere like? Kids? hardcore? laid-back? Or do both gyms suck and i should save my money for more trips to the red?

I'm excited to be back climbing at the red!

I'll see you guys there...hopefully often! i'm gonna try and get there this sunday-monday

Post by **hotkarl** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 4:24 pm

Towers has better routes now than before and get changed pretty routinely thanks to J-rock. Better gym for lead climbing than the original gym. Bouldering is ok there. Better bouldering at the original climbtime but routes don't change often enough. I think Towers has plans to expand as well Haven't been to either gym recently since building my own wall.

Post by **Meadows** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 4:50 pm

Towers is definitely the best for routes, but I quit going there because the crowds were annoying. The space is small, but spread out and the variety is very good. Plus, Jared and DAF set ultra cool routes.

Climb Time has been changing their routes more often, thanks to a lot of bitching. I like it because I don't get pummeled by 20 kids who didn't see the "no running" sign. And I don't have to wait for routes.

Post by **squeezindlemmon** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:05 pm

FYI:

Mondays 6:00-7:30pm - Indy Flash Team
Thursdays 5:30-7:00pm - Climbing Club (I think)

There ARE a lot of kids climbing at Towers and there are bigger crowds but that is because Towers ROCKS! One of the things we like about the place is the crowd itself bec you can come in any day and find someone to climb with. Some of the adult crowd climb a little later to avoid the kiddie posse.

The routesetting is also "ultra cool" as Meadows stated.... there are about seven route setters in that gym which gives you a big variety as far as types of climbs.

Oh and the holds are cleaned EVERYTIME they come off the wall. We don't put up any greasy holds or anything like that.

Also the owner is friends with a lot of companies who makes holds and he orders customized holds every now and then.... so there are a LOT of cool holds at Towers that you won't see anywhere else....

I can keep on going but I think you can already see my preference between the two gyms....

Meadows, we can work out a schedule and come in when the crowds are small. You are not only missing out on good routes, you are also missing out on some good grub (fried plantains.... btw, I think we're having spring rolls this week!)

Post by **Meadows** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:19 pm

Thanks, but I've already worked on that (I tried every day of the week). I'm just one who can't climb with all the commotion. Many people dig it though. I'll miss the food, but Roman did share his french fries last night.

Post by **Meadows** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:28 pm

Of course, with summer I am sure the crowds are fewer.

Post by **dhoyne** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 5:41 pm

Crowds are a bit higher @ Towers, but the route height, quality, hold quality, and frequency of change blow CTIndy away.

You pretty much see the boulderers going to CT Indy and the Traddies/Sport Climbers going to Towers.

Thanks to the fact that CT Towers has route setters that actually climb outside (unlike CT Indy

), the routes are fantastic.

The staff is also a huge factor: it seems like at CT Indy all they did was sit behind the counter surfing the internet; at CT Towers they actually walk around, give beta when needed, check to make sure everyone's climbing safely, offer a belay, etc.

The 2nd expansion at CT Towers was due in like last February. There's been alot of problems, not sure when/if it's gonna happen, but the 1st expansion (the upstairs area) is really nice.

Post by **J-Rock** » Wed Jun 09, 2004 9:49 pm

There are many afternoons and nights when the place is nearly empty. I don't know about the weekends though. I've only spent two weekends not climbing outside this year. Definitely avoid Monday (6:00-7:30) and Thursday evenings (5:30-7:00) when the team and club practice. Even then there are enough other ropes open that it is never a problem finding a route to climb.

Post by **Meadows** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:43 pm

dhoyne wrote:Thanks to the fact that CT Towers has route setters that actually climb outside (unlike CT Indy ), the routes are fantastic.

You were talking about Eugene, who no longer works there. I've seen everyone of their route setters outdoors. One is even sponsored by Red Chili, I believe. I just never can remember his name though.

Post by **Meadows** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:43 pm

weekends are even worse.

J-Rock wrote:There are many afternoons and nights when the place is nearly empty. I don't know about the weekends though. I've only spent two weekends not climbing outside this year. Definitely avoid Monday (6:00-7:30) and Thursday evenings (5:30-7:00) when the team and club practice. Even then there are enough other ropes open that it is never a problem finding a route to climb.