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atg200
Jan 16, 2002, 12:38 AM
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I went to Rockheads on a business trip to Toronto(thanks crazylikeafawkes). I thought it was an excellent gym. The routes were more varied with fewer crimpers and cleaner holds than the gyms I climb at in Colorado. The climbers were very nice and made me feel very welcome and at home on my first visit.
My only problem with it was the humidity-I don't use chalk so I was greasing off the top of every route. Guess I need to bring a chalk bag if I go there again.
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stewbing
Jan 16, 2002, 6:39 PM
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Kris,
I think that you will be really happy with Higher ground now, I think the oddity with Higher Ground when it first opened was that it's at an 'amusement park'. But now that it is established there are always really good routes set. Also as I said before the route setters are top notch. Also I think there are some of the strongest boulder's in Southern Ontario training there. So if you are in the area check it out and I think you'll enjoy yourself.
[ This Message was edited by: stewbing on 2002-01-16 10:58 ]
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fiend
Jan 16, 2002, 7:07 PM
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hehe, you may want to watch that 'strongest boulderers in S. Ontario' comment, that's a pretty strong statement these days
Is Jer Smith still around? I know he was working at Higher Ground or something a few years back.
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kriso9tails
Jan 16, 2002, 8:31 PM
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I might check it out again. Do you think that Higher Ground will have any comps in the next few months?
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downshift
Jan 17, 2002, 5:54 PM
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Hey has anyone checked out Higher Grounds other location in Ajax. They mention it on there website.
http://www.sentex.net/~climber/
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downshift
Jan 26, 2002, 10:27 PM
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Ok I finally went to Higher Ground in Kitchener and did some climbing (Go figure). I like their route varity and I was impressed with their bouldering area. The only things I didn't like was that it seemed to have more kids groups than other gyms and it really doesn't have a real changing or lounging area. But, other than that I like it.
[ This Message was edited by: downshift on 2002-01-26 15:02 ]
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xen_monkey
Jan 29, 2002, 4:12 AM
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Higher ground is less conjested in the summer. All the kids are at the pool, You can spend as much time as you want climbing arround their basement bouldering cave. I've killed my forarms there crawling about the ceiling
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c_plante
Jan 29, 2002, 9:08 AM
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Well I was there on the weekend with some friends and I was wondering what everyone thinks of it.
Here's my take:
1) The route grades aren't consitently marked. The tougher routes are often underated. They had a 40-50ft 5.7, lots of easy jugs, but it had 2 overhangs and since I hate those I'd have given the climb an 8. But that's just personal.
2) Kids should be leashed, I've read other peoples posts in the past about kids running around and underneath climbers and I've finally experienced it for myself. Especially in the bouldering room, I suspect that if my partner hadn't have been there and I fell like I did I might have crushed a wee little one. The kids were largely unsupervised and given free reign. It doesn't help that the arcade is right next to the gym.
3) The bouldering cave was pretty sweet, if the kids hadn't have been in there I probably would have spent more time in there.
4) The facilites are non-existant, you've got a broom closet for changing and you have to use the common bathroom if you need to do anything else. Lets just say, arcade, kids, pop...
5) The staff were friendly but a little lazy. The guy who checked me and my partner out for belay kind of walked by, saw what we were doing and said yeah fine. At least at Gravity someone stands right beside you and watches you the entire time. I find that attention to detail a bit more comforting, but that's just me and I guess I'm crazy.
6) Almost every route is a multi-pitch route, which is pretty sweet, especially since I'm a fat f*cker and I need to work on the whole weight vs. gravity thing. If you get a chance climb the chimney, it's nothing special but it's kinda fun.
All in all I'd go back for sure, but I'd want to find out when the kiddies aren't there, I think that that would make the gym worth the trip alone.
Christian
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stewbing
Jan 29, 2002, 12:32 PM
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I have to admit that during the weekends, the gym is over run with kids, this goes with the fact that the gym is at an amusement park of sorts. Some of the best times to climb are Tuesday and thursday evenings, very few kids, and lots of very committed climbers training. If you can't get there through the week and the weekend is your only option, get there early, from about 10:00 am till 12:30 pm there shouldn't be too much kid traffic. I'm glad some of you took the time out to check Higher Ground, and I hope you'll be back again.
D
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krillen
Jan 29, 2002, 1:53 PM
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I've hit Gravity on days like that too. It's frustrating when everything under a 5.10+ is busy, kids everywhere, lots of noise.
My solution? Jump on the sick hard stuff no one else is one
Sunday I took a nice whipper on the middle route on the Orange wall. I missed the last/clipping hold. I had the redpoint too! Another day I guess....
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c_plante
Jan 29, 2002, 9:00 PM
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Yeah that 5.5 on the orange wall can be tough eh?
Christian
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krillen
Jan 29, 2002, 10:11 PM
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almost as hard as the walk in the front door somedays
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downshift
Jan 30, 2002, 2:27 AM
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Ok.
So I've done the Grotto, Gravity, Higher Ground, Rock Oasis, Joe Rockheads... where do ya'll recommend I trip out to next for variety?
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c_plante
Jan 30, 2002, 9:12 AM
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You could try going to hell...
Christian
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krillen
Jan 30, 2002, 1:31 PM
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ouchie
What's the gym in St.Catherine's called again?
You could hit Kingston, or Ottawa, or even Windsor...but for all that effort you might as well go outdoor.
Was anyone at Gravity last night?
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downshift
Jan 30, 2002, 4:43 PM
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C_plante:
If I go to hell you know your coming along for the ride. Right?
Krillen:
Wasn't at Gravity last night, I went on Monday. Did I miss something cool?
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c_plante
Jan 30, 2002, 8:03 PM
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Hey yeah road trip to hell! I'm in!
Downshift and I were at Gravity on Monday, and we'll both be there on thursday and saturday.
How to spot us:
c_plante: Tall guy, ruggedly handsome good looks, glasses, military buzz hair cut, boreal gold shoes.
Downshift: Short, damn ugly, glasses (occassionally), same haircut for the last 15000 years, his shoes are either his red zens, or his new ones that I can't remember the names of or colour of
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krillen
Jan 30, 2002, 8:32 PM
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no, nothing cool, except me being me.
I SHOULD be there thursday night, but I have a meeting, then I may be going to play hockey. so it all depends on how the nigh goes.
I've been working orange and lead walls a lot lately. I'm usually the guy in the cheesy almost see-thru Batman shirt. If I'm wokring something, people are usually yelling encouragement and calling me Barry. Long story.
I don't kow if Sparker, Fiend, or Kris-O-Nine-Tails are going to be there. Guys?
Anyone?
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fiend
Jan 30, 2002, 8:43 PM
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I dunno, I might be going tonight so I probably won't be there tomorrow, unless I don't go tonight then I will be there tomorrow, unless I say I'll be there tomorrow because I never end up going when I say I will ahead of time
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krillen
Jan 30, 2002, 9:07 PM
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that's because you are a lyign slacker Fiend.
If you come tomorrow I'll bring my Mex. pics...
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c_plante
Jan 30, 2002, 11:44 PM
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So are you guys going to be there thursday or not?
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sparker
Jan 31, 2002, 2:27 AM
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I should be there, look for a guy wearing anasazis
Or a T-shirt that says "Western Sucks".
You might here people calling me Skippy.
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downshift
Jan 31, 2002, 3:02 AM
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C_P:
Quote:Downshift: Short, damn ugly, glasses (occassionally), same haircut for the last 15000 years, his shoes are either his red zens, or his new ones that I can't remember the names of or colour of
You really need to lay off the sauce it really is altering your perception of reality. It scares me that I let you belay me... And anyway my hair is consistent, it prides itself on that fact... BTW the new shoes are Scarpa Minimas.
[ This Message was edited by: downshift on 2002-01-30 19:06 ]
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c_plante
Jan 31, 2002, 10:23 AM
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Downshift: If I don't drink a quart of gin every morning I don't get up. And I've given up tracking your shoes, it seems like everytime I talk to you, you want another pair... This time it's red chillies or something isn't it?
Everyone else: If any climbers on RC.com overhear someone yelling "Chew that cud" it's likely Downshift and I, and our other climbing partners. Uh.. Don't ask where it came from either, I'm still not certain and I say it.
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downshift
Jan 31, 2002, 11:48 PM
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C_P
I think the origins of "Chew that cud" require there own forum... But now is not the time I guess due to weather Grav is out tonight I was so looking forward to working on the 5.10 on the orange wall. Oh well there always Saturday.
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