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kane_schutzman
Sep 21, 2007, 3:58 AM
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Going back south for a month, can anyone reccommend a climbing gym in Dallas? Looking for something that a new climber would like. Preferably with the tallest walls I can get?
Thanks
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kane_schutzman
Sep 21, 2007, 4:19 AM
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Better yet, is there any real rock in the area?
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mircle
Sep 21, 2007, 2:50 PM
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closet real rock is in in Mineral Wells State Park near Weatherford. Depending on where you'll be this may not be too long of a drive. On the other hand you may be closer to Oklahoma!
I've only been to a couple gyms in Dallas. I know of a place called the Canyons of Frisco that is very beginner friendly. They also have an artificial boulder inside which fun for a simulated rock experience.
Where exactly are you in Dallas? That would make it easier to find a gym.
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fencipede
Sep 21, 2007, 9:35 PM
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If you're looking for the tallest indoor walls in Dallas, then Stoneworks is your best bet. It's an old grain elevator. Tallest stuff is something like 120 feet high.
I've heard that they don't change their routes very often, but its been plenty fun the couple times I've gone.
http://www.stoneworksrockgym.com/
Outdoor, Mineral Wells State Park (top rope only and bouldering) is the only thing close right now. Everything else is on private land and is currently closed.
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nunu
Oct 3, 2007, 3:50 PM
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Anyone on this thread currently in Dallas? I just moved to Dallas and I'm looking for climbing partners. PM me if you would belay me :)
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JohnCook
Oct 14, 2007, 11:38 PM
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Try Dyno-rock in Front Street Arlington (www.dynorock.com). Its not high (30ft) but it has lots of frequently changed routes and bouldering. The staff are friendly and if you are alone you can usually find someone to climb/belay with. There are a lot of lone (not sad) climbers in there. Good luck with your stay. |
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Lexi
Oct 15, 2007, 2:50 AM
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there are currently 5 gyms in the metroplex with another one on the way (i'm not sure exactly when it'll be finished, but it'll be soon) and it'll be close to downtown dallas.
if you're in arlington, there is dynorock (located in central arlington) their routes are great technically (approximatley 24' walls) and they have a bouldering area. oldschool type gym (plywood walls painted over).
if you're in the grapevine area, summit (by d/fw airport) 25' walls, eldorado walls.
if you're in the carrolton area there are 2: stoneworks has the tallest routes (121'-30') but there is no heat or air so plan the trip there accordingly. old converted grain silo so the walls are cement.
then there is exposure, their routes are probably the best technical routes around and they have some great beginner routes they also have a bouldering area. the walls are oldschool.
canyons of frisco is in the far north area of the metroplex. 24' eldorado walls with a simulated rock boulder.
don't go to the gyms on tuesday or thursday until after 7pm because the kids teams are working out, except at summit and i think their kid's teams work out on monday/wednesday.
personally, i split my gym-time between exposure (for the technically challenging routes) and stoneworks for the endurance training and i live close to both :~)
if you want more info on them you can pm me.
lex
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shimmer
Oct 15, 2007, 9:05 PM
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If you don't mind the 'daycare' like atmosphere, Summit can be a lot of fun, but it's REALLY crowded, everytime I've ever gone it's been rather loud with little kids running everywhere.
DR in Arlington is pretty much swarmed on Tue/Thur by the climbing team, as was previously mentioned. Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat night and Sun evening are all good times to climb there.
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Jaylen
Oct 19, 2007, 8:27 PM
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last time i was at summit, their gear was scary. like, the outter layers of the rope sheath were detaching from the core. i didn't love that. but that was like 2 months ago... maybe its changed... go to stoneworks.
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fivesix
Oct 21, 2007, 8:34 PM
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i was there last december, and i had the same problem... i did not like the lead ropes at all and asked for another, to which i think the staff went in the back, re-flaked it and handed it back to me! needless to say i did one lead and went home!
the silo gyms ropes are not any better. the length of rope that is out makes it difficult to detect issues with the rope, which i found many... their ropes look very old!
FYI...
ps: i manage a gym myself, i'm not dissing these gyms, thats not why im posting. just letting other know what i think... food for thought!
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Lexi
Oct 22, 2007, 2:39 AM
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stoneworks has new owners and all the ropes have been changed out, however, there isn't any climbing in the patio area anymore. DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) owns the land the patio is on and they won't let us climb out there anymore
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shimmer
Oct 23, 2007, 3:33 PM
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Jaylen wrote: last time i was at summit, their gear was scary. like, the outter layers of the rope sheath were detaching from the core. i didn't love that. but that was like 2 months ago... maybe its changed... go to stoneworks.
I've never climbed at Stoneworks, Exposure, or the Canyons. Everything I've done (other than my two trips to Summit) has been at Dyno-Rock.
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dreadlock
Oct 23, 2007, 5:18 PM
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For most of the gyms in the DFW area if they didn't cater to the kids, families and big groups they would go under and there would be no gyms there. That's their bread and butter. I used to live there and the dynamic is so different then here. Here it is almost all adults in the gyms.
As to ropes I think all gyms do their best to quickly remove any ropes that have gone bad, especially when the sheath gets torn. It happens at all gyms, ropes get caught on a hold when lowering, rub over a roof, etc.
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Jaylen
Oct 24, 2007, 2:38 AM
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I think rope safety, including quality, should be the number one priority in any gym. I won't climb outdoors with a rope that I don't know how many falls its taken, or one that the sheath is seperating from the core. I don't know ANY climber that does.
Yeah, a family atmosphere is great for gyms and their success. And I think everyone on here understands that, I plan on one day draggin my annoying kids to gyms as well.... however... there is nothing like being able to totally zone out, focus and climb, like you're the only one there... like being in nature, and 5 ten year olds jumping off the auto-belay for fun kind of kills that.
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summittim
Oct 24, 2007, 11:48 PM
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This is Tim, the owner of Summit. We regularly inspect and change our ropes out for the safety of our customers. In the last 2-3 months, we have replaced almost every top rope in the gym. If you ever have a concern about any of our equipment, please mention something to the manager on duty. We appreciate everyone in the climbing community looking out for each other.
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summittim
Oct 24, 2007, 11:50 PM
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One clarification: the walls at Summit are 30' high.
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Jaylen
Oct 25, 2007, 7:37 PM
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well tim i appreciate that.
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scottieb
Oct 26, 2007, 2:30 AM
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I love climbing at Summit when I come through town. I guess I am too into my climbing and do not noticing the kids so much. Nice, clean, good long routes.
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Jaylen
Nov 18, 2007, 3:44 AM
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Just revisited summit... it was a great experience. Very low key kids and all new ropes. Thanks summit.
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avid_climber
Jan 18, 2008, 12:55 AM
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Has anyone fallen to the mat while climbing @ Summit? I would like to hear about it. Please respond to Avid_climber@yahoo.com
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jdonnell
Jan 18, 2008, 3:34 PM
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avid_climber wrote: Has anyone fallen to the mat while climbing @ Summit?
Yeah. That's why I don't climb there anymore. It seemed like every time I fell I'd hit the mat. Man those boulder problems are tough.
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dwyermj
Mar 18, 2008, 2:54 AM
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Anybody in Dallas looking for a partner? Just moved here haven't climbed in a while I live right down the street from exposure and they have a deal going on right now so I'd like that but I'd be up for anything
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dbcooper
Mar 19, 2008, 4:29 AM
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Check out a new gym that just opened 2 days ago in Dallas, called Dallas Rocks! www.dallasclimbing.com There are 14 and 16 ft. top-out bouldering and the problems are freaking rad. We have nationally certified setters on staff, one of which sets for a lot of the major comps through-out the U.S. This place is huge. More drag mats then you can shake a stick at. From what I can tell we also have the largest lead cave in the state. The angles are crazy and this place is flippin' huge. 14,000 sqf. of climbing surface split almost 50/50 between bouldering and routes. The gym is owned and operated by a local climber, and has a low bro factor. We have discounted all of our memberships and extended the discount through the end of the month. All the gyms mentioned in this thread are great gyms and they each have some good things to offer. We just want y'all to come in and check us out and then let you decide for yourself where you would like to climb. Thanks. Happy crushing
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calpiger
Apr 6, 2008, 9:14 PM
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I climb at Dyno Rock and Exposure. I kind of live in Colorado right now, but I am home every month and will be back in town this weekend (April 10-13) if you are interested in climbing.
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