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amg1632
May 15, 2008, 4:48 PM
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I'm moving to Chicago next month....anybody have advice regarding decent gyms? I see a few health clubs that have walls, but nothing that's a dedicated climbing facility. Am I missing something?
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neuroshock
May 15, 2008, 5:27 PM
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Are you living in the city itself or in the suburbs? Which neighborhood? Do you have a car and are willing to drive or are you looking for public transit accessible?
What kind of climbing do you like to do? (bouldering/sport lead/TR/cracks)
There are a handful (at best) dedicated climbing facilities in the Chicago area but most walls are indeed part of health clubs.
-Mike
(This post was edited by neuroshock on May 15, 2008, 5:27 PM)
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amg1632
May 15, 2008, 5:39 PM
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Hey, Mike.
I'm going to be in Lincoln Park and will have a car. Not driving would be great, but I'll do what I have to.
I like sport. Would love to learn to lead. Wind up bouldering because I'm by myself a lot, but it's not my favorite.
Tasha
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neuroshock
May 15, 2008, 8:08 PM
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In Lincoln Park you've 2 decent/good options nearby. Lincoln Park Athletic Club and Lakeview Athletic Club (they're sister gyms so you might be able to get a cross-gym membership. They basically have the same people that go to them, for the most part, and the community there is pretty nice (everyone i've met is friendly).
LVAC has a little bouldering and has a decent wall with aretes and dihedrals. terrain is ~50' and mostly vertical.
LPAC has a 50'-70' (depending on which portion) tall EP wall with vert and overhangs. as this wall is outdoors its being open is seasonal and affected by weather. there's also a treadwall in there.
Both gyms allow leading (on designated nights) and have classes to learn.
If you're looking for an occasional change of pace there's the bouldering gym Hidden Peak. very friendly and encouraging group there.
All 3 of the options I mentioned are easily accessible by public transit + a little walking (< .5mi).
Mike
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amg1632
May 16, 2008, 1:06 AM
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Mike, thank you!!! Really appreciate it! I'll definitely check them all out.
Tasha
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lostparrot
May 16, 2008, 6:02 AM
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If you don't mind a little drive, got to Warrenville and see Vertical Endeavours. Great place. Incredible walls.
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dreday3000
May 16, 2008, 7:01 AM
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Designated nights for leading? I've never heard of that before. What's the story?
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ThaRiddla
May 16, 2008, 11:23 AM
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dreday3000 wrote: Designated nights for leading? I've never heard of that before. What's the story?
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amg1632
May 20, 2008, 2:40 AM
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LVAC is definitely for me. I liked LPAC as well, but the outside wall isn't going to work for the winter.....
Thanks again for the suggestions!
Tasha
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rudolphluciani
May 20, 2008, 2:55 PM
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Don't go to those goddamn healthclub walls they suck ass! The routes never change, the holds spin and get slimed up by fatty dabblers who have no idea what they're doing. If you want to climb in a real gym, and actually have fun and get seriously stronger, come meet me tonight ant the Hidden Peak. It's just a bouldering gym, but you won't be sorry.
http://www.lakeshoreacademy.com/hiddenPeak/
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amg1632
May 21, 2008, 4:14 PM
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Ha! Yes, well.....I'll definitely check out Hidden Peak as well, but I know I'm going to want something I can hit on a regular basis that isn't just bouldering.
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EricVT
Aug 5, 2008, 9:15 PM
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What is there rates? Also what are the bouldering hours, etc? Can we just drop in?
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rudolphluciani
Aug 6, 2008, 11:32 PM
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ten bux to climb, or you can get a punch card or a monthy membership for fifty.
Weekday hours are five pm to nine pm.
weekends anre noon to five.
Go crank yourself silly!!!
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EricVT
Aug 6, 2008, 11:36 PM
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Sickkkk.. I am going to be in Chicago from Aug. 11 - 13 and will stop by during those hours as I will have some free time. I am just getting back into climbing from a year hiatus due to a ski injury and am dying to get back. Do the problems range? or is it just like V5+ and up (seeing as its a training grounds for gymnasts too)
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lordshockspeare
Aug 7, 2008, 12:57 AM
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Hey Eric
I'll be passing through Chicago that exact same time. I am in Madison right now but will be in chicago monday (11th) afternoon but leave teusday for home(SLC). I would definitly be more psyched to climb if I had a partner, so if you shoot me an email on when you'll try to be there I'll look you up. Otherwise I'll leave my climbing gear in Madison.
Kyle --- ktietze@gmail.com
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EricVT
Aug 7, 2008, 1:59 AM
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Kyle,
I will most likely be climbing the night of the 12th. The night of the 11th I will be busy. Thanks.
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neuroshock
Aug 7, 2008, 7:50 AM
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This webpage (also posted above/earlier) has much of the information that you were seeking.
Problems in there generally range from VB/V0- to V7 and even harder with a good concentration of V0s to V5s.
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EricVT
Aug 7, 2008, 12:28 PM
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Thanks for the link man
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rudolphluciani
Aug 7, 2008, 12:42 PM
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There is a good range of stuff up ranging from v0-- to vImposable. There's so much damn tape on those walls, you'll have no shortage of problems.
Most problems don't have the grades written on them so you'll just have to figure it out. The really hard stuff is usually graded or says "project" or something to that effect.
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rudolphluciani
Aug 7, 2008, 12:46 PM
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dreday3000 wrote: Designated nights for leading? I've never heard of that before. What's the story?
Someone could get hurt!
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EricVT
Aug 7, 2008, 12:48 PM
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rudolphluciani wrote: dreday3000 wrote: Designated nights for leading? I've never heard of that before. What's the story? Those walls are in health clubs so 99% of the people who climb there are curious, clueless yuppies, so it wouldn't do to have people bombing whippers all over the place while chubby chicks shook and stammered up 5.7- Someone could get hurt!
LOL +1 
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pr0x1mo
Apr 15, 2013, 11:21 PM
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Just moved to chicago, so i guess the bouldering gym at hiddenpeak is my first choice.
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gavroche
Apr 17, 2013, 12:34 AM
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I was waiting for someone who still lives in Chicago to respond, but it hasn't happened yet, so I'll chime in. LPAC and LSAC are not bad for health club gyms and they could fill your needs for training. Back when I lived in Chicago both of those gyms also had pretty good climbing communities (and EAC as well) and I met a lot of folks to go down to SoIll or the Red on weekends. LPAC had summer only memberships as well, which was nice since that is the only time the wall is open. (I can't remember if that was a student only thing though). I would at least consider themIn reply to: . A lot really depends on what part of town you are living in and what you are looking for in a gym. I have no idea about prices anymore but at the time LPAC et al were not overly expensive either, at least compared to similar clubs in DC.
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pr0x1mo
Apr 20, 2013, 6:26 PM
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Went to the Hidden Peaks bouldering gym, i only went to the front counter, is the gym really as small as it appears at first glance? I wonder how crowded this place gets cuz it seems like only 2 people would be able to climb at the same time.....
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pr0x1mo
Apr 21, 2013, 5:10 PM
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also, just noticed this on the website, do you really have to show proof of health insurance to climb?
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