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Potentially moving to Cincinnati

Original Post
Adrian Hogel · · Cincinnati · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 0

My husband and I are climbers currently living in Vegas (previously lived in Boulder) We recently had our first baby and plan on having another. We are contemplating a move to Cincinnati to be closer to my family and we're wondering what it would be like. Obviously the Red and the New are nearby and certainly within driving distance for a weekend. And, there are a couple of climbing gyms. How much outdoor climbing will we really be able to do? Is the Red pretty good during the winter months? I know it's hot and muggy in the summer. Is there a "climbing community"? Any opinions would be appreciated!!

sqwirll · · Las Vegas · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,360

Seems like a terrible idea.

ZANE · · Cleveland, OH · Joined May 2011 · Points: 20

I'm from Cleveland, so I know a bit about Midwest struggle. Cinci does have some cool gyms I've been to. Outdoor climbing is going to be the Red for weekends, and the New and Seneca Rocks for longer trips just cause they're a little farther out. Same with T wall in Tennessee. You're not far from there and Nashville areas.

I love Ohio except for the climbing. I usually make trips out west as often as possible, but I really am super into multi pitch trad. You're not really going to find that much in the area until Seneca.

Climbing the Red in winter is definitely possible if the weather isn't too wet. It'll be freezing nights, but thats expected. I'd defer to a hard Red river climber for more on that.

I am always drawn back to Ohio when I'm out west, and Vice versa.

The Blueprint Part Dank · · FEMA Region VIII · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 460

Well hey at least you'll have the number one NFL team (for, well, like the first three weeks of the season) to cheer for.

But then you realize that you're really disappointed in both Andy Dalton and your decision making.

Look at it like this, you've lived in Vegas and Boulder. Two of the top five cities in the country for climbing access . Does climbing make you and yours happy? If so, is the added assistance of familial babysitting worth sacrificing a great deal of that happiness?

It seems to me that for a young family headed by a climbing couple, living somewhere that you're looking at a 3+ hour drive to get on rock isn't a great idea. How easy is it going to be to load the family up for a weekend trip vs getting a baby sitter for a quick afternoon jaunt out to Red rocks or Eldo.

I'm sure that you can figure something out, my life revolves around climbing, but as parents, your life revolves around, you know, kids. So my advice is probably not worth listening to. But jus think about your lifestyle, and ask if you're really going to be able to get outside very much if you live that far away from rock.

Or move to Cleveland, I hear it's really beautiful, and Johnny Manziel hasn't really been very busy of late, maybe he can babysit for you.

Steven Lee · · El Segundo, CA · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 385

Wow, what a coincidence.

I was born and raised in Vegas, and have been living in Cincinnati for the past 6 years for work. I've gone to the Red 3/4 weekends for the past 4 months all through summer, and just came back from a 3 day weekend to Seneca. You can do the Red as a full day trip, Seneca will need to be a long weekend. Red: It's about 2 hrs to Miguel's and another 30 min to the parking lot of most crags. Seneca: about 6 hrs.

The climbing community is smallish but friendly, especially if you start going to the gyms consistently. I haven't had any issues meeting new friends/partners of all ages/stations in life. The only potential issue is the serious climbers end up moving out, so there will be some turnover of friends.

That being said, I wish to return to the West every day for various reasons - one of which is climbing.

Anyway, feel free to PM me. I'm actually flying back home (Vegas) this weekend to visit the folks and do some climbing. Maybe we can meet up if our schedules align, or we can certainly try to meet up if you end up here in Cincinnati.

marty funkhouser · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 20
The Blueprint Part Dank wrote: Or move to Cleveland, I hear it's really beautiful, and Johnny Manziel hasn't really been very busy of late, maybe he can babysit for you.
Cleveland has already erected a monument downtown honoring Johnny Manziel. It's a bench.
sherb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 60

I actually started climbing when I lived in Cincinnati for 2.5 years (moved there from DC), thanks to Rockquest, I still think Rockquest in Cincinnati is one of the top gyms I've been to. I spent a year there climbing while living in Cincy but have temporarily moved to Denver (for work) and will be back in 2 years when I can telework.

There is definitely more travel time to climb than out West, but heck, I drove 6.5 hours from Denver to Indian Creek this weekend, so 2.5 hours to the Red is not that bad. As far as a "non climbing" city it is very close to climbing areas when you compare it to places like Houston, Florida, Chicago... at the Red River Gorge I ran into people from Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit who have to drive much farther to get to the Red, also their closest "good" climbing area - it is only 2.5 hours from Cincinnati, whereas it is 7-8 hours for them.

There is a great climbing community at the Red (IMO too many people on the weekends), also at Rockquest, and I have met people from all over the world at the Red - I think everyone at one of the campsites spoke French and I felt left out. I could even make it out to the Red for a day trip. Though it is known as a sport place, there is tons of trad, a few 2 pitch lines with bolted anchors, and except for one of the cliffs the Trad is much less busy (no lines). I would climb at the Red in the Summer, it is not THAT hot and muggy, and there are lots of shady trees to rest by and set up your hammock (Indian Creek was deathly hot with no trees) and especially when you compare it to places like Houston. The biggest problem I had is the rain, which would come when I wanted to go climb.

I drove to the New River gorge a few times over a weekend, which is 6.25 hours away, and met my friends in DC who ALSO had 6.25 hours to drive for the New River Gorge. There is a ton of climbing at the New, more than the Red, when comparing the guidebooks (before the opening of this new giant area in the Red). The New has a great climbing community, but also feels more "wild" than the Red, or any of these Denver places. Denver outdoor cragging feels like I'm at a gym since I can just drive home.

As aforementioned, Tenessee wall is also 6 hours away. T-wall is south facing so it can be climbed there in the winter, but when I went there it was raining.
Obed in Tenessee is closer, but I haven't gone there yet (I want to climb the "Christine" route there). I also drove 9 hours to North Carolina to climb there, but that is a bit far.

In the winter not too bad to just climb inside, it is nice to train indoors in the winter so you can get excited about seeing your progress. Or take trips to warmer places, since you "might" be saving money by living in Cincinnati, with the money you save you can take trips in winter to El Potrero Chico, which I went to that one year. That is my plan when I move back, take lots of trips to tropical places in the winter. However, I don't have any kids.

With 2 babies it might be easier to get a babysitter with family nearby, than to bring and worry about the kids at the crag, even if you live in the West.

Adrian Hogel · · Cincinnati · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 0
sqwirll wrote:Seems like a terrible idea.
Get out of here, Clarke!
Adrian Hogel · · Cincinnati · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 0

Thanks so much for the feedback everyone! So much to consider! We are pretty spoiled with proximity to amazing rock climbing here in Vegas. In Boulder, we climbed locally but often drove the 3.5 hours to Rifle, so weekend road trips to the Red wouldn't be a big deal as long as the weather allowed. Another added bonus for us would be that my sister, brother, and/or retired father could come along and be our third wheel/babysitter while we climb.

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

Cincy has a great climbing community. I lived here most of my life and have been climbing for about five years. I really only climb at climbtime but rockquest looks cool also. There is bouldering in Athens ohio and morehead kentucky and down in Virginia. All of those are great weekend trips. It's not comparable to the western or appalachian states but there is enough close by.

mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

Cincy has a great climbing community. I lived here most of my life and have been climbing for about five years. I really only climb at climbtime but rockquest looks cool also. There is bouldering in Athens ohio and morehead kentucky and down in Virginia. All of those are great weekend trips. It's not comparable to the western or appalachian states but there is enough close by.

Go Back to Super Topo · · Lex · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 285
mustardtiger wrote:Cincy has a great climbing community. I lived here most of my life and have been climbing for about five years. I really only climb at climbtime but rockquest looks cool also. There is bouldering in Athens ohio and morehead kentucky and down in Virginia. All of those are great weekend trips. It's not comparable to the western or appalachian states but there is enough close by.
Please do not drive to Athens to boulder when the New is only 2 more hours drive and the Red is the same distance
mustardtiger · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 20

Why? The going to the red to boulder is like going to Olive Garden to get a cheese burger. Plus the new is two more hours away like you said.

Go Back to Super Topo · · Lex · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 285
mustardtiger wrote:Why? The going to the red to boulder is like going to Olive Garden to get a cheese burger. Plus the new is two more hours away like you said.
Well first off it's the worth the two extra hours.
Secondly the red and the new are far better than Olive Garden. The tip you would have to leave at

the new or the red would be more than the entire meal at olive garden if we are making restaraunt analogies out of climbing.

Better yet, athens is an Olive Garden compared to a local seafood joint in Louisiana.

I'm just trying to save you some time. I absolutely love love love LOVE athens bouldering and spent a good portion of my climbing life there. But it does not offer remotely the same level of quality as the new or the red. If you are only wishing to save time in order to climb (on less quality problems and routes) then I suggest just going to climb time or another gym.

Yes athens is awesome, just not for someone traveling there who can go to the red more accessibly.
DB Cee · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2007 · Points: 146

You'll be fine...

The Red and the New are as good in the winter as any amount of stacked choss in Boulder in the winter. Gold Coast and any number of the other sunny cliffs around that part will be great. The Endless Wall in the New's season IS the winter...with access being incredibly easy and short on the approach side.

If you have longer weekends...Chattanooga is a 5 hour drive and prime in the winter as is the stuff in western NC.

My wife is from Cincinnati and her dad and brother both develop in the Red and both still live in the city. There seems to be a great community of climbers there as well.

I say go for it.

Go Back to Super Topo · · Lex · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 285
Blake Cash wrote:You'll be fine... The Red and the New are as good in the winter as any amount of stacked choss in Boulder in the winter. Gold Coast and any number of the other sunny cliffs around that part will be great. The Endless Wall in the New's season IS the winter...with access being incredibly easy and short on the approach side. If you have longer weekends...Chattanooga is a 5 hour drive and prime in the winter as is the stuff in western NC. My wife is from Cincinnati and her dad and brother both develop in the Red and both still live in the city. There seems to be a great community of climbers there as well. I say go for it.
Not the Wheatley's is it?!

The red's community is certainly very strong, albeit cliquey at times, but a good group of climbers none-the-less.
DB Cee · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined May 2007 · Points: 146
mozeman wrote: Not the Wheatley's is it?! The red's community is certainly very strong, albeit cliquey at times, but a good group of climbers none-the-less.
ha..yep!
Peter L K · · Cincinnati, OH · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 45

As others have said, Cincinnati has a pretty good climbing community. The climbers in Kentucky will never admit it, but Cincinnati climbers are pretty close to locals when you're talking about the Red. It's an easy day trip, and that means you can take advantage of random good days in the Summer and Winter. Rockquest is a good gym and Climb Time is as well.

Daniel Hermanns · · Albuquerque · Joined May 2011 · Points: 156

Might be a little late to the party but...

Cincinnati is a great city to live in as a climber. If you've resigned yourself from living somewhere with direct, easy access to climbing (Vegas, Boulder), then Cincinnati is a great "second tier" climbing city. We have two great gyms (Rockquest has 50' lead walls with a 40' dead horizontal roof, and Climbtime is your typical "get strong" dusty bouldering gym), as well as some 'urban buildering' (google the "Eden park reservoir wall")- people on MP who know what it is will bash it, but its a great place to get an after work pump, and I've spent many beautiful spring and summer days lounging around in the park and running circuits all over that thing. Also, as I'm sure you know, we're two hours from the Red, easily a day trip if you are able to find time to go. Cincinnati is a vibrant city in the midst of a cultural resurgence, I do not think you would regret moving here if you do decide to come.

BrianVarick · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 45

Even though the Eden Park wall is not that great, you can beat the location! It's a great park to spend the afternoon in.

Daniel Hermanns · · Albuquerque · Joined May 2011 · Points: 156
BrianVarick wrote:Even though the Eden Park wall is not that great, you can beat the location! It's a great park to spend the afternoon in.
Yeah! Like you said, the wall isn't mind blowingly awesome- but it is what it is and Id rather have it than not have it! Its built from small-large limestone brick, and some of the better "routes" are polished, but you still cant beat it for an hour or two of easy climbing, and the ~ 400 foot long traverse along the backside really packs a pump! Climbing here, catching a concert in the park, then grabbing a beer at Longworth's up in Hyde Park is a pretty killer afternoon. If i remember right, it actually has a mountainproject page with a bit of beta if anyone is interested.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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