coming to Chicago

A month or two ago I posted some questions concerning climbing and Chicago as my wife and I where considering moving there for work. Well it's happening. I'm going to be in town next week for a couple days starting to get things together for the move and I've got some time on thursday (the 16th) around lunch free. I was hoping to get to a gym and start meeting some people. I'd really like to meet up with some people who climb out at Devils Lake since it sounds like that's where the majority of my outdoor climbing is going to be happening for the next few years. I lead 5.11 sport, 5.10 trad, and boulder around V4-5 in the gym (don't really boulder out-doors) if that's important. Let me know if you've got some time and want to meet up.
Chris Futtner

No sport at Devils Lake, and with the slick rock and steep grades here, do figure on starting leads at the 5.6 level at least. Top rope the hard stuff to figure out what has to be done, most climbs here are done on top rope, much more than leading at the lake. Hot, humid months ahead. Try by mid June to get climbing by 6 or 7AM and then hit the cool lake by afternoon to relax,,,then a short evening session again just before the sun goes down.
Not sure where you are located, but best big gym is the Vertical Endeavors way out in west suburbs, an hour from the city, in Warrenville. Auto belays if you have no partners.

I know Devils Lake is Trad/TR only. Really just looking for someone to climb with on Thursday that can give me some beta on climbing in the area. Maybe can show me around DL once we get moved in permanent like. I imagine the Red is the closest best sport climbing. I've climbed there quite a bit over the years. I'll be downtown this trip out.

There's also Jackson Falls in So Ill. It's a little closer than the Red and a really neat place to check out now and then to change things up. Necedah and Governor Dodge, in WI, are about half that distance and worth a visit too.

PM sent. Me and probably my friends will be climbing in a Chicago gym on Thursday evening.

Hi! Welcome to Chicago, a town full of douche bags and great food :)

In regards to gym climbing, the biggest gym will be Vertical Endeavors in Warrenville (about 45 minutes south-west from Chicago). I live in Lakeview East (Belmont & Broadway) and there are two excellent gyms with awesome rockwalls: Lakeview Athletic Club ( chicagoathleticclubs.com/lo…) with 55ft wall and a bouldering cave and Lincoln Park Athletic club ( chicagoathleticclubs.com/lo…) with 65ft outdoor wall with steep overhang. Membership is a bit steep ($100/month), but its totally worth it, the gym itself is top notch. They also offer student and corporate discounts ($75).

In terms of the outdoor climbing, you have 3 major options:
Devils Lake (WI) - 4 hour drive, trad/top rope
Jackson Falls (IL) - 5 hour drive, bouldering, trad, sport
Red River Gorge (KY) - 6.5 hour drive, best of everything.

Cheers!

I need a partner at Vertical Endeavors