Appalachian Outfitters — Local services in Boston Township

Such a disgraceful, unprofessional experience climbing!!! I have been climbing there for 5 years....UNTIL NOW. Arrived and paid for a daily pass one Thursday evening. About 30 minutes after beginning to climb with my group, I overheard other customers/climbers mentioning a group of ~50 Boy Scouts would be in soon to climb as well. FIRST MISTAKE: climbing staff should have made everyone aware that half of the climbing routes would be occupied, otherwise I would've gone elsewhere. TOTALLY SHADY.

BUT IT GETS UNDENIABLY WORSE... Probably a third of routes typically available to all paying customers were tied differently to allow the boy scouts to clip in/out easily. No problem, but since only 6 boy scouts were in the building -- none donning a harness nor gear -- we decided to hop on the route before it became occupied by the troop. Upon descending, staff member Gordon -- the most deplorable person I've ever met -- tried to read us the riot act. He scolded us for using the rope, sarcastically saying "that's why I tied a carabiner on this side" to which we responded "that's why we used the other end of the rope; to not disturb your set up." Gordon continued to mouth off at which point I reminded him that THE THREE OF US ALSO PAID FOR DAY PASSES. SECOND MISTAKE: why is a staff member EVER arguing with paying customers? Gordon kicked us off the route, but even 30 minutes later the boy scouts were not ready to climb. So, walls closed off & policed by staff members for no reason.

BUT IT GETS EVEN WORSE....Now, we're kicked off the rout. Irritated by the employee's rude tone and total lack of professionalism, we climbed on a different route that was not set aside for the troop. Naturally, my group was complaining. Gordon proceeded to bring a boy scout & his dad to the same area we were already occupying. Upon hearing my group's conversation, rudely telling us he can take any route he wants for the boy scouts. I told him he should butt out of our conversation since we were not talking to him. He snapped, "I'm staff and it's my gym so I can do whatever I want." This puts me in a tough spot because the employee IS ARGUING AND INSTIGATING WITH PAYING CUSTOMERS IN FRONT OF OTHER PAYING CUSTOMERS (THE CHILD AND HIS PARENT)??!!! I would've liked to rip him a new one, but did not want to curse in front of the young boy. Gordon continued to harass my group and argue with us, so much so that MY PAYING GROUP had to walk away AFTER GORDON FOLLOWED/PICKED A FIGHT WITH US.

I would NEVER go to Kendall Cliffs, nor will I be returning. Staff is incredibly rude, immature, argumentative, authoritative and downright unprofessional. I cannot believe Gordon would pick a fight with my group in front of a child & his parent, let alone any paying customer!? ...

My boyfriend and I frequent Appalachian and Kendall Cliffs often, spend a lot of money in climbing equipment and climbing. We both bought new climbing shoes this week.. $200 each. I bought mine a size too small (no one helped me when I was purchasing them, at all), I put them on at Kendall to climb noticed they might be too small DID NOT CLIMB IN THEM and walked over to see if I could exchange them since I had bought them 2 hours ago. Sherry saw a little dust of chalk on them and told me once they are climbed in they cannot be returned. I explained to her that I had only put them on and walked around the rock climbing gym.. which does have chalk present in it, yes. But that I had not climbed in them - check the tapes :) So when I told her they were not climbed in she then let me know that the policy was different then the aforementioned policy she had just told me - NOW she tells me all climbing sales are final. Strange that they were not just a minute ago, I could have returned them had they not had a speck of chalk on them. They had not even been out of the store for 2 hours, they had not been on my feet for more than 5 minutes. Customer service is obviously not a priority for Sherry, I was going to order these shoes online and decided to support Appalachian instead - I obviously made a mistake. We will be taking our business else where, and I will let everyone know how Sherry treated me :) If you don't want to deal with the customer... don't be in...

I always love stopping in when I'm near Peninsula. While their prices are higher than internet stores, they often have sales. Sign up for their email list, as they often have 20% coupons available. There is also a constant sale section in the middle back of the first floor.

The staff is very helpful, but they also respect my general desire to browse alone. There is an excellent dog section, with a large assortment of Ruffwear. I wish they sold some entry level kayaks and snowshoes, but if you're looking for high quality gear, this is your place. They have many backpacks to try out, and they occasionally are "taken over" by a specific manufacturer, with nearly their entire backpack line for sale.

On the top floor, there is a viewing window for the climbing place next door, Kendall Cliffs. I stop for a few minutes to watch the kids and adults climbing. If you need climbing gear, it's available on the first floor.

There is an expansive shoe section and clothing for both men and women. It's mostly hiking clothes, but they also stock yoga, snow sports, and general active clothing.

(Tip: The bathrooms are hard to find, and it took me a few visits. They are to the left of the shoe section on the first floor. Yes, I should have...