Climbing in Ohio

Help! I just moved to the Cleveland area (Shaker Heights). I am having trouble finding ANYWHERE nearby to climb...Does anyone know of an outdoor or indoor spot within an hour of here??????

Hinkley Metro Park is in a cleveland suburb. I think it is called Whipps Ledges in this site's database. There is actually lots of climbing in Ohio. Logtown is probably two hours away from Cleveland.

Also check kendall cliffs which is a gym but talk to the folks working there. Some of them trad climb cracks under a bridge.

1. Whipp's Ledges as Sean mentioned is the standard area. Watch out for old crusty guys bitching about using chalk, idiots throwing bottles and rocks above you, and plan on toproping.

2. There is what used to be a "secret" area near Solon. I don't remember the name but it was always a lot quieter than Whipp's. Ask around.

3. If you really want to climb, plan on weekend trips to Seneca, The New and The Red.

Good luck Stacy...."Some of them trad climb cracks under a bridge" pretty much sums up the desperation of being a climber in Ohio. I'm so glad I don't live there anymore.

What's going down at Springfield Gorge and John Bryant State park these days?

Tony, Springfield Gorge is still closed. A few years a climber died after falling from the top of the cliffline. The climbing is on land owned by the Masons and they quickly closed the area to climbing after the death.

I would love to get back on Oranguhang (sp?) someday...

One of my friends set the anchors for toproping at John Bryant. These areas are still open for toproping only.

Stacy, Both Springfield and John Bryant are about 4 hrs from the Cleveland area and not worth the drive. Definitely check out the Red, the New, and Seneca for some amazing climbing. And talk to folks at the climbing gyms to get the beta on the local areas.

--Mike Hannig

climber73 wrote: I would love to get back on Oranguhang (sp?) someday...

Great pic. Thanks Tony.

I think that I got my ankle stuck a little lower and had to work pretty hard to get it out. Good times!!!

climber73 wrote:Great pic. Thanks Tony. I think that I got my ankle stuck a little lower and had to work pretty hard to get it out. Good times!!!

Thanks everyone. I Checked out the Cleveland Rock Gym (after finding it) and hooked up with some folks.

Namaste.
Stacy