Gym climbing in D.C. ?

I'm have to spend a few days in Washington D.C. on job related duties this week and I want to try to make the best of it. Any good climbing gyms in D.C.?

Yep. SportRock sportrock.com/index.php?opt…. It's a very short walk from the Van Dorn Metro station on the Blue Line.

I've only been to this one which is outside Alexandria but it's quite good with "real" rock texture. Grades are a bit stiff compared to Colorado gyms. Make sure your belayer is anchored-in unless you're almost the same weight - the gym doesn't do a double-wrap around the bars at the top (despite me and a couple of other people discussing this technique with desk staff).

Thanks! That place looks pretty good. They seem to have bouldering too, so I guess I don't have to worry about the belay.

I'm a big fan of EarthTreks in Rockville, MD:

earthtreksclimbing.com/

It's four blocks from the Rockville metro station on the red line. Great people, good walls, large bouldering area. Grades are stiffer than Colorado gyms.

earthtreks in B'more is a NICE all around gym. there is a gym in Sterling Va too.

CO must be the land of softness cause I thought earthtreks was 2 number grades soft but what do I know I climb in CT

I can only speak to the Rockville gym in regards to grades. Yes, the Columbia and Timonium gyms are nice, but they aren't metro-accessible to DC, and are a fairly long drive from DC.

t.dub wrote:I can only speak to the Rockville gym in regards to grades. Yes, the Columbia and Timonium gyms are nice, but they aren't metro-accessible to DC, and are a fairly long drive from DC.

when people say DC, they could mean anywhere in a 50 mile radius, or at least a 50 minute one. I dont tell people I grew up in Farifax county, I tell them DC, its easier that way eh.

The OP said he was working in Washington, DC, not NOVA. It doesn't make sense to rent a car if you're working in DC, as parking doesn't exist, and traffic is terrible.

So, he likely needs a metro accessible gym.

Thanks to all of you for your help. My hotel was near the metro red line, so I went to Earth Treks for an hour of bouldering. Either the grades were soft, or being at sea level for a change gave me super human strength, because I was climbing one grade over my usual level. Super fun.

I love those rock textured walls. My gym here in Salt Lake City has polished wood walls. I was smearing all over the place at Earth Treks.