Brand new climbing gym in Traverse City Michigan, Elev8

https://www.elev8climbing.com/

They've been open only a month or two, and it is a very nice gym!

Top rope and lead walls (although it looks like you can lead throughout the roped areas). Nice use of volumes to add interest! Setting is good, varied, interesting. Routes are graded appropriately, belays are with a grigri or Pilot, and without a friction wrap on the capstans, so climbers coming out of this gym won't be horribly surprised when they get outside. The capstans are nice, too. You can move the top ropes anywhere along the wall, instead of a fixed anchor.

Bouldering area, with additional roped climbing upstairs. Short wall up there, so it's a good warmup area. They also have an instructional area set up.

Workout room. More to come!

The staff is great, nice yes, but they know their stuff. I was impressed when I was asked "what else" at the end of my lead belay check, and just stood there staring. "Tie a knot in the end of the rope. Not absolutely necessary in the gym, but good practice". Dude got a HUGE hug from the Old Lady! I mean, the "local" rocks come up to my knees.... and are mostly placed by landscaping companies.

The place wasn't crowded, even though we were there evenings, but plenty of people coming and going, including families and young people.

Lots of hooked on climbing grins to be seen!

And I found an offwidth....

Pretty sure this isn't what they had in mind, but hey, it's how the Old Lady climbs outside, too. Whatever she can get away with, lol!

Truly happy for you people in the land of flat. I even bought a month membership to help them along, my gift to you guys! Takes bravery to launch a gym through a pandemic.

Best, Helen