|
styndall
Mar 18, 2008, 1:24 AM
Post #1 of 10
(16792 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 29, 2002
Posts: 2741
|
I've got a potential spot for grad school at the University of Michigan, and I'm wondering what the climbing is like nearby. Is the best bet south, to Kentucky, or maybe north somewhere in Canada?
I know Michigan itself is pretty sparse, but are there any worthwhile areas? I'm also interested in hearing about other climbers in Ann Arbor. If you're local, post up.
|
|
|
|
|
deathbybowtie
Mar 24, 2008, 6:09 AM
Post #2 of 10
(16758 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 1, 2007
Posts: 8
|
Grand Ledge is about a 45-minute to 1-hour drive from Ann Arbor, but it's average at best, and awful at worst (top rope only, pretty chossy rock, and it's ALWAYS muddy), but it gets the job done for day trips. Red River Gorge in Kentucky is about six hours away. I hear there's some locations in Canada about three hours from here, but I've not been able to find any more info about them than that they exist.
|
|
|
|
|
micdigi
Apr 11, 2008, 11:38 AM
Post #3 of 10
(16681 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 11, 2008
Posts: 3
|
Just wanted to say I am from Canada and I have done some climbing in Ontario - Rattlesnake Point is a great place for climbing in Ontario. It's a little far from here being in Michigan. I haven't climbed here because I am not sure where to go. any ways hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
|
truello
Apr 11, 2008, 12:06 PM
Post #4 of 10
(16678 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Oct 1, 2006
Posts: 737
|
I've never been there but it looks like Lion's Head is about 5.5-6 from you:
http://www.rockclimbing.com/..._Ontario/Lions_Head/
I've heard good things about it and have considered taking a trip from Pittsburgh.
I have been to the Red though and can say its worth a 20 hour drive let alone 6.
|
|
|
|
|
micdigi
Apr 11, 2008, 12:14 PM
Post #5 of 10
(16674 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 11, 2008
Posts: 3
|
I have done some climbing in Loin Head it is beautiful up the I also scuba diving and done more diving up there then climbing. But it's a great place for multi pitch
|
|
|
|
|
dynosore
Apr 11, 2008, 12:37 PM
Post #6 of 10
(16669 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jul 29, 2004
Posts: 1768
|
What type of climbing are you looking for? Trad, sport, bouldering? Ann Arbor has a great gym, but for outdoors, you're at least 4 hours from anything good, Grand Ledge wears thin very quickly. If you are into moderate trad, send me a PM sometime....
|
|
|
|
|
abe_ascends
Apr 11, 2008, 1:29 PM
Post #7 of 10
(16652 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Jun 18, 2005
Posts: 367
|
If you want the low-down on climbing in Ontario, Canada, check this:
http://ontarioaccesscoalition.com/
The closest (common) spots from Michigan will be:
Rattlesnake Point (TR and Trad, single pitch)
Kelso (Trad, Single Pitch)
Mt. Nemo (Trad and Sport, single pitch)
Lions Head, Whites Bluff, Cape Croker, and Old Baldy are great, but might be a bit far for you.
Bon Echo is also great for some multi-pitch trad, but you need boat access since the cliffs rise straight out of the water. It also might be kinda far.
|
|
|
|
|
micdigi
Apr 11, 2008, 1:48 PM
Post #8 of 10
(16641 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Apr 11, 2008
Posts: 3
|
I am looking to better my skills I have done lots of top rope and very little lead and would like to get more into it.
|
|
|
|
|
milominderbinder
Apr 11, 2008, 2:01 PM
Post #9 of 10
(16637 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Dec 4, 2005
Posts: 84
|
Your options for climbing in AA are pretty limited. For university students, things are usually like this:
Planet-Rock (http://www.planet-rock.com/) is a gym located about a 10 minute drive from campus. It is quite large (hosted junior sport nationals last summer) and overall pretty nice. There you can find climbers of pretty much all skill levels, lots of new folks to a few 5.13+ climbers.
Umich has a climbing club (Michigan Climbing Club)...Pay $20 dues for the year and you get discounts at the gym and local gear shops, including specially priced long term passes.
Nobody bothers with Grand Ledge. Michigan State students drive to Planet-Rock rather than climb at Grand Ledge.
For serious sport climbing, pretty much everyone goes to the Red. It's about 5.5 to 6 hours away, and obviously some of the top sport in the country. At Planet-Rock you'll be able to find a wealth of people on any given weekend planning a trip, so hang around for a bit and meet some folks and you shouldn't be short of partners.
The New River Gorge also gets some trips for long weekends. It's around 8 hours drive.
|
|
|
|
|
olive
Apr 13, 2008, 12:13 AM
Post #10 of 10
(16602 views)
Shortcut
Registered: May 6, 2003
Posts: 599
|
what milominderbinder says.
I am in Ann Arbor - noone I know ever goes to Grand Ledge. Generally, the common practice is going to Red River Gorge or sometimes New during spring and fall, and to Canada (Lions Head, Mount Nemo, etc. etc.) during summer. And you can go iceclimbing in the winter (UP and canada).
|
|
|
|
|
|
