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New to Indoor climbing...REI or Vertical Endeavors

Original Post
Dave43 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0

Want to give climbing a go. REI is free but I'm guessing they only let you climb for a short time. It is more worth my time to go to VE?

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

Milk the REI for what you can. You'll be over it in no time, then go to the other one and learn how to climb. Of the 1000's of climbers here, I'd bet that the number who repeatedly go to an REI to climb is close to zero.

Brian Arms · · Minnesota · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 21

Give REI a try, nothing to lose. Plus you have someone to belay you there. It sounds like it is your first time climbing? if so i would guess a couple laps up the wall and you would be about done.

VE is a decent place, usually really busy though. They have some autobelay's there but don't offer a belay as far as I know.

randy baum · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 2,221

the best bang for your buck is midwest mountaineering's bouldering cave. it's free and open to anyone.

midwestmtn.com‎

Google maps info:

maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf…

Dave43 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0

Do you have to have a partner or can you climb solo? Also is it busy....I don't want to feel rushed being a noon.

Chase Roskos · · Golden, CO · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 90

At the St. Paul VE there are 15 or 16 autobelays. They are devices that allow you to climb solo, and if you fall you get lowered slowly to the ground. They are really nice if you are going by yourself because you can actually climb on some taller routes. If you don't mind the price point too much I would choose VE. Currently the best spot in the cities.

Dave43 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0
Chase Roskos wrote:At the St. Paul VE there are 15 or 16 autobelays. They are devices that allow you to climb solo, and if you fall you get lowered slowly to the ground. They are really nice if you are going by yourself because you can actually climb on some taller routes. If you don't mind the price point too much I would choose VE. Currently the best spot in the cities.
When you say price point...what are you referring to? Are there other options?
Jonathan Williams · · Minneapolis · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 510

Vertical Endeavors is not bad, and has a decent community. I would also put a plug to all Twin Cities climbers to look at joining the Minnesota Climbing Co-op
blog.mnclimbingcoop.com/
an evolving alternative to VE which will be open in April. Great people. Inclusive to all people of all abilities who love climbing and love community.

JW

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Midwest
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