CityROCK — Attraction in Colorado Springs

Previously, I had given this Climbing Gym a 5 star review and it remained that way until today, where I discovered a terrible change in direction for how they're going to be running their Climbing Gym. I've been working out at City Rock for several years now and I'm used to going there, as much as twice a week, during the early afternoon hours when it's generally not terribly crowded. I choose to climb solo because my workout time is quiet time for me, since I interact with people all day. Furthermore, I choose to work out solo so I'm not tied down to someone else's schedule or availability.

Today, as I entered the climbing area, I was puzzled because I couldn't see any Auto-Belays where I'm used to seeing them. In case you're unfamiliar, an Auto-Belay is a safety device that enables a climber to climb without a partner. Without such a device, you require a partner to belay your rope while you climb. For the past several years, I'm used to CityRock having 10-15 Auto-Belays available. Even when crowds were larger, I was still able to readily access an available Auto-Belay. However today, as I looked around, I could only see 4 Auto-Belays on one wall that was crowded with climbers, as they waited in line to use the 4 Auto Belays. Still puzzled, I walked around thinking maybe they moved them, but as I looked closer, I could see they had caged / closed all their auto-belays, except the 4 crowded ones. Again, I'm used to seeing at least 10-15! Still puzzled, I asked a couple of their Route Setters why most the Auto Belays were covered and not available for use. They explained CityRock was changing directions with how they run the climbing floors, in that they're drastically decreasing the use of Auto-Belays. For now on, their idea is to use Auto-Belays on only one wall and to limit the available Auto-Belays to only 4. That means only 4 solo climbers can climb at any given time. The rest of the many walls they have will be open only to climbers to have partners with them. Again, a solo climber will now have climbing access to essentially 4 climbing lanes while those with partners will have access to approx 20+ climbing lanes. Knowing this alone, it's hard to not feel like they're discriminating against those who choose to climb solo! Because I choose to climb solo, and have for several years, why is my access to route choice being infringed upon as they're arbitrarily decreasing Auto Belay use from 10-15, down to only 4? They explained, the idea was to build a sense of community and "encourage" climbers to bring partners with them. Their use of the term "encourage" feels more like force and/or mandate! Having been working out for decades among many facets, I immediately thought; "Has the management ever actually attempted to maintain a work out schedule while relying on a partner?" LOL! They also stated it was safer this way because it will lessen the instances of climbers forgetting to clip in using the Auto-Belays. I don't agree with that position. I've been climbing with Auto-Belays, as well as belaying with a partner. It's easier to clip into an Auto-Belay than it is to belay a partner while they're climbing! One moment of inattention from a belay partner and you can fall, just as you can fall if you forget to clip into an Auto-Belay! How is that safer? I asked the front desk, if what the Route Setters explained is correct and they said yes. Because I feel like they're discriminating against those who choose to climb solo and there's another reputable climbing gym in town, I asked them to cancel my membership and I joined Grip Stone the same day. Grip Stone employees explained to me they have no plans to decrease the Auto-Belay usage and they have an entire area of nothing but Auto-Belay. Furthermore, their gym area feels much larger, the cost is very comparable AND it's way less crowded during the time I like to work out. While I'm disappointed I'll have to drive farther, it's worth not having to potentially stand in line to climb and have way less...

WORST CLIMBING GYM EVER!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve been a climber for going on ten years, and a member with 6 companies (over 20 actual gyms all across the US) and have probably climbed with every pro climber in America you’ve ever heard of. Not to mention climbing in all styles and many outdoor areas all across the country.

The experience I’ve had at CityRock is beyond AWFUL.

After two months of paying full price for PARTIAL ACCESS to this mediocre-at-best facility, I have had multiple experiences with Trish (shoulder length brown hair, dark glasses, exceptionally glib and a royal case of RBF) was SUPER RUDE to me. TWICE!!!! The first time she all but told me to get the hell out of the gym when they were closed for a day for renovations. I chose not to complain about this experience at the time, as I figured I would let it go. After the second experience, I must relay this nonsense.

I was in the gym, bouldering. Trish approached me yet again to tell me to remove my headphones, as she was concerned she would not be able to get my attention, an action she had literally just completed. She told me (in an exceptionally blunt tone) the I would be kicked out of the gym should I wear a second headphone.

This “policy” was just enacted, and was clearly written by someone with a personal vendetta against headphones. The only language posted in the gym about it is written most passive aggressively basically implies people who listen to headphones while at the climbing gym are somehow less-than.

If I had to guess, I imagine CityRock’s management could not adequately define five different scenarios that this policy of staff needing to communicate with an en-route boulderer would even be implemented. The long and the short of this is, headphones at the gym are a problem because the gym’s management is making it a problem.

Compare this with Pure Bouldering Gym, (the other climbing gym in the Springs). Their response to being asked about a potential headphone ban just today (6/10/19), “We actually encourage our members to wear headphones.”

This is similar to EVERY OTHER GYM I have been fortunate enough to attend.

Upon being treated so vindictively for ABSOLUTELY NO REASON by Trish, in conjunction with the lackluster experience regarding the ongoing renovations, I, along with 4 of my family members, will be canceling our memberships and going to Pure.

Hope your 100% POINTLESS POLICY is worth thousands of dollars to you.

Like it literally seems they've gone with this policy to give the staff something to do, as in, be the Headphone Gestapo.

Contrast this "safety" policy with the ridiculousness of toddlers running and wallowing on pads freely under adults climbing literally EVERY SESSION I've ever climbed at this facility, and the fact that this complaint was a total non-issue to Trish.

"Safety," riiiiiight.

CityRock, I had high hopes, (I even met your owner in Ouray a few years back and was excited to give you all a try), but you’ve been the ultimate let down.

I can confidently say this is the WORST CLIMBING GYM EVER.

BTW, do yourself a favor...

While visiting Colorado Springs our hosts presented us with a local coupon book which included a BOGO coupon for a climbing day pass at City Rock.

Setting the GPS for go we were on our way. The downtown area was slammin' and I must say I definitely upset the traffic flow with my reversing into my parallel parking spot - which I made on my first go (to note I found drivers quite erratic and aggressive in the Springs).

After paying the meter we were on our way in. Following the completion of our liability waivers we watched the required climbing safety video before renting our gear.

The gym was a good size and surprisingly busy for a Monday morning. Loads of bouldering problems to solve and fairly high climbing walls.

The route setters were doing their thing re-setting so some of the bouldering area was off limits. Still there was a wide range of problems to solve which I thought was great. Sometimes climbing gyms cater mostly to more advanced climbers and I did not find that to be the case here.

What I greatly enjoyed (which I've seen at a few other gyms) was that after you top out on the bouldering wall you can take a slide back down to the bouldering area. My partner thought deathly afraid of heights braved the wall and rode down once which left me elated.

The gym also two slacklines which provided some great fun while we rested our sore hands/fingers.

To note there was also ample seating in and around the bouldering wall to relax post pump as well as brainstorm just how to solve that tough problem.

Probably the most efficient climbing gym I've ever been to in terms of registration and clear safety and behavior expectations of patrons.

Will definitely visit again on my next trip to...