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I was asked a question the other day that I have no answer for. I am sure there are a couple guys and gals that have been around for a couple decades in the Louisville climbing area that could give me a better answer though. So help me out people; how many climbers, whether they are just casual or dedicated, in the Louisville area? My guess was a rough 500 to 600 or so. That is an abysmally low amount for a city of 750,000, but 500 to 600 is what I could offer. Anyone else got a better guess?

it's been a while since Ive been part of the social scene but probably around 500. that might ba a bit high.

No more than 100 who climb with any regularity. possibly more if you count the one timers at rocksport

I would think there are much less than 500 people in louisville that have a membership to either of the two gyms (although I think the 100 people in Krampus' estimate is low). Having worked at the largest gym in Louisville and being one of the main setters at the other I would guess more around 150-175 people in Louisville would have a gym membership at the current time between both gyms (this is just a best guess of course as I currently work at neither gym). I would think gym membership would be a good indication of people that define themselves as a climber.

So if Kyle is correct with a core of 150(ish), what is the "fringe" or the "outside" count. By that I mean the people that climb either indoors or out 1 to 2 times a year, or maybe have their own wall and aren't part of the scene. Does 500 sound about right then?

If saying yes will talk you into building a new gym close to downtown that occasionally refreshes their routs, then yes, I'd say its closer to 1000.

Honestly, I could easily see 500 different people entering into one of the two gyms a year, even if its just once. More if you count birthday parties. But I have never worked in the gyms and my training regime is not so consistent anymore.

krampus wrote:If saying yes will talk you into building a new gym close to downtown that occasionally refreshes their routs, then yes, I'd say its closer to 1000.

Let's err on the safe side and say it's about 5000.

If you build it, they will come.

The correct number according to my accurate demographic information is 137. Adjusted for the accountability timeline index it is 3, 228. When also adjusted for the geographic movement and market share indexes it 522. Thus there are exactly 137 climbers in the Louisville area or 3000.