So I live in Chicago, tired of the gym, looking for some real rock (bouldering, trad, anything) that's reachable from metra or cheap amtrak... I don't have a car.

Anything at all?

Patrick,

Let me know what you find, I'm in Naperville and work downtown. I'm not sure of anything that is reachable by metra, but perhaps something by amtrak???

Idk but either way maybe we can pool our resources.

pm me and we can go from there.

I'm from Lombard, and here's how I got to some real rock:

Go to Union Station (Canal between Adams and Jackson). Buy a ticket for train #5, California Zephyr. This will take you to Denver, CO. It's about 18hrs one way. Go under the bridge to the south side of the tracks, and wait for the B or BX. This will take you to Boulder, and BAM! Real rock.

Total time: ~20hrs
Total cost: ~$123 (one way)

The feel of real rock: PRICELESS!

Other than that, you're kinda screwed. MOVE!

If your schegule is flexible you can take the Amtrak to Portage, WI or Wisconsin Dells, WI and you'll be a 20 minute car ride away from Devil's Lake.

It costs about $50 each way, but the schedule sucks because most trains leave both ends during mid-day. So if you can leave Chicago at like noonish on Friday, and be back by late afternoon on Sunday this might work for you...

Ha, I've taken the california zephyr to denver AND the B (and the BX) to boulder... I'm from colorado.

That's interesting about Devil's lake, maybe I can hitchhike/bike from portage or wisconsin dells? Although at $50 each way I may as well rent a car, which I've been tempted to do anyhow.