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Hey all!
So I tried to search this site for past discussions on this topic with no luck. Anywho, just moved back to Chicago for a bit and I'm itching for some climbing. I know there is some pretty swell climbing up in Wisconsin, but it's frickin' freezin' still so I think I'll be gym bound for awhile. I know Vertical Endeavors is nice, I've been there a few times, but it's always packed and an hour away from me. Any advice on closer, quality gyms? Also, for when it warms up, any quality climbing sport or trad in the Chicagoland area?

Thanks!

I'm Sorr....err, welcome back!

I compiled a list of Chicago-area gyms a while ago. You can find it here: http://neuroshock.info/climbing/Chicago ... yms.html#N
I think the closest decent place to you is in Libertyville and I have no idea about the quality you'll find there.

As for sport/trad, do you mean out on actual rock in the Chicago area? Sorry, we're screwed. The closest stuff is ~3-3.5 hrs away by Savanna, IL and Baraboo, WI and it's all trad or toprope.

make the drive to Bloomington to Upper Limits. 2 hours tops.

Don't unpack! Move away asap! I'm a Chicago northshore native and i live in TN now. My life has never been better! Moving is your only option.

That's not helpful advice at all! I have loans and a job I love, so moving needs to be put on hold for the moment. But trust me, the midwest won't always be my home.

I've met a decent ammount of people from chicago at Southern Illinois crags such as jackson falls with good camping and drapers bluff. Def. a weekend, and not a day trip though.

North wall in crystal lake is good.... sorry there is only the lake and over at the palisades for outdoor and thats all trad and TR no Sport... yea Illinois stinks

Not much to do up there in Vanilla, IL. have fun with that 30 minute drive to VE which becomes 2 h ours in traffic

Give us about another 6 or 7 weeks, and there should be a brand new indoor wall opening down I-57 at the Monee exit. Xtremeplex' Sports.....has indoor laser tag and paintball field in operation so far. We should have the wall constructed by June 1st if lucky. Only 20 ft. high, but with bouldering, cracks, big roofs and odd features all over. About 1800 sq. ft. It ain't no VE, but it's something for those on the far south end of the city.
Oh, an agree with all above who say 'move', get a real rock life somewhere else, etc.....But we do the best we can here in the flatlands.