Tried rock climbing for the first time at Basecamp Climbing and had such a great experience. The atmosphere felt welcoming, and really beginner-friendly. I got to try both bouldering and harness climbing, and I have to say, I especially loved bouldering. It was my first time giving it a go and it quickly became my favorite. All the instructors were super helpful and encouraging, which made a big difference as a first-timer. I can barely feel my hands while typing this but honestly, that just shows how much I enjoyed it. Definitely coming back! read more

Basecamp - Harness climbing - Climbing Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Lots of fun!! We took an intro lesson and learned all the basics for safe climbing and belaying. The price difference between a day plan and the rentals vs a lesson with those included was only a few dollars so we took the lesson. We started upstairs and learned how to fall safety and did one quick practice climb. Then we moved downstairs for a lesson in ropes as both a climber and a balayer. The instructor, Sasha, made sure we were confident and certain of our ties because they're fundamental for all climbs. They really emphasized safety, communication, and being confident in yourself. We got to climb on our own after the lesson and had a lot of fun! read more

A good gym for top roping and lead climbing, but the bouldering area is way too small. Don't go if you want to boulder only.

I was looking to get back into indoor climbing. Basecamp - Bloor location is situated in a really great spot in Korea Town, walkable from Christie subway station and an incredible spot to eat afterwards. This location is great if you're looking to top rope and lead climb, they have a few auto belay options and a small area for bouldering. They do have a second location at Queen St that focuses more on bouldering. Since the location is in Toronto, I found that the routes are set closer together and when the gym gets busy, you are very close in proximity beside the climber and belayer beside you. The staff is super friendly and chill. The prices are comparable to other climbing gyms like Rock Oasis and True North. The offer beginner friendly introductory classes that include a harness and shoes. read more

TLDR: Great place to go climbing in the city, much larger space than I imagined in an old theatre. Climbing Gym: The gym is divided into various areas. The main floor has some auto belay climbing on the left side of the gym, and on the right side there is walls you need a partner to belay you. The left side of the gym is much busier with easier level climbs. There are often children's parties running so the gym can be quite full. If you are an experienced climber who wants more free space, the weekend times may not be best for you. Upstairs there is bouldering section. Staff: Staff is overly friendly and "chill". They do give you a basic orientation and some of them can be a bit uptight about listening to instructions and being intense about the gym. Most of them are more relaxed. The process of entering the gym is time consuming and slow requiring a really lengthy waiver, proof of vaccination, and an orientation. There is not many staff at the front desk so if this is your first time in a large group expect a LONG delay to process each person's information before you begin climbing. Amenities: Basement has change rooms with lockers. You need to bring your own lock. There are shoes and harnesses available for rental for $7 each. There is chalk to buy at the front desk. read more

Basecamp - Bouldering wall - Climbing Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Kinda ill managed. Have their own people climbing with outdoor shoes.. seen multiple times. Can be a potential health hazard. Spoke with some crew called sefton or so (dude in his 40s) who was quite negligent about all of this and so was the staff, who can't enforce clear policies around hygiene. Update March 25: The staff (some Laura Smith) emailed me saying they're canceling my membership which I didn't ask for, since I highlighted they don't follow their own policies around hygiene. Instead of de-escalation, and taking it as an opportunity to work on hygiene, basically they're saying, screw your concerns we'll remain that dirty and smelly gym in downtown. PS: there are so many other reviews highlighting the same concern laura read more

Basecamp is a cool little climbing gym located in K-Town in an old theater. How hipster is that? They even openly allow dogs. The people here definitely reflect that mellow hipster vibe, both client and staff. Man buns galore. I did my belay test to prove that I can tie people with rope and not kill them and the dude conducting the test was just super chill. Basecamp is 99% top roping, with one small wall upstairs for bouldering and 6 auto-belay routes. Not the most first-timer friendly, as you would need to do a top rope lesson to take advantage of most of the gym and this could take awhile. However, it is still a good place for beginners with a climbing buddy. I do enjoy some of the higher routes with overhang. I mentioned it was a "little climbing gym" relatively speaking, as it definitely can't compare to the ones out in the suburbs (that downtown rent). Unfortunately, that meant a couple of things that contribute to my average rating. One, it's very packed. There was quite a bit of waiting for routes to be free. There are people falling from the sky that might hit you. There's just a lot going on. Going after work on a Wednesday and the narrow space between the walls felt like a tunnel made of squishy, sweaty flesh. Squishy flesh tunnel with lots of rope that you can trip on. It got more and more crowded the later it was. Kids running around, bodies being pressed together, gingerly trying to avoid stepping on other people's ropes. Two, which is related to one, they've got pretty bad ventilation going on in here. Pair that with the fact that they let dogs roam around. You walk into an area and you're simultaneously hit with the tantalizing fragrance of sweaty pits and wet dog. (27/100) - 2019 read more

If there is a way to give zero, I will do that. Just check out all the 1-star and 2-star comments in Google reviews, you will find out how bad the climbing gym is. They all have already told you the truth. Rude staff and manager, poor management. Be careful of those 5-star reviews. They may be fake and not from experienced climbers. If you are a serious climber, you're better off going elsewhere! Don't be a part of the climbing-culture killer. Toronto heart needs to have a new climbing gym to replace Basecamp. read more

I just wanted to update my previous reviews. I love the place. The staff are great. It's really a community. The parties are fun. Etc etc. And of course the climbing is good too. I just wanted to update by saying THEY HAVE BOULDERING NOW! amazing. read more

Experience itself was great! Good exercise and super fun with a group of friends. The front staff was not very welcoming upon entrance though... waited awkwardly for quite some time before being redirected, to which we still had very little direction on what procedures to take, until we came across Zachary- a super kind and knowledgeable staff member who made the trip enjoyable and showed us all the ropes (pun intended). Overall good experience and would go again, despite the poor greeting staff. read more

Basecamp - A friend of mine climbing high! - Climbing Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

My first climbing experience in Toronto and I left disappointed, yet relieved. I was drawn in by the advertising but should have known more money is spent attempting to lure in non-climbers than pleasing actual climbers. During my "bouldering orientation" I was shown the rules, the last of which read: "have fun with your friends." The list of rules was too long but the few named below is the real crux if you're attempting to actually have fun. - don't stand on mats when others are climbing - don't bring your chalk bag on the mats - don't use too much chalk on the walls - don't give beta to your friends (backseat climber) I'm only offering one star due to the cleanliness of the bathroom. Nice work...keep it up. O yea, make sure you can demonstrate how to fall from 18 inches or you may lose your day pass. read more

Awesome and incredibly friendly staff. Everyone was willing to help, service and the belay test went swiftly, and from observation, the instructors were really good and supportive of kids taking lessons. As for the climbing experience, I recommend this place for more experienced climbers. Most of the routes are 5.9 and up, with the right side of the place almost empty because most of them were 5.10/5.11 and the front of the place being dedicated for lead climbing. Because of that, many of the easier routes and the auto belays are on the left side of the gym, which is quit narrow and extremely crowded, not something I've experienced at other climbing gyms. Sometimes the routes overlap one another, and more experienced climbers, unwilling to wait for space to clear up, race to the top. I almost got kicked in the face twice. Be weary of climbers who don't clip themselves down when descending. I've seen a near collision take place at the back of he gym. There's a small practice area upstairs where you can stretch and use the rings, and warm up on the small boulder wall. Overall, I'm glad i paid a discounted price, rather than the full price. I probably would not return on a weekend. I do recommend this place for kids and families, and more experienced climbers who don't mind waiting for routes. read more

Basecamp - Climbing Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Came here once a while back, and let me tell you, NEVER AGAIN. I wanted to explore a new hobby so I came in for an INTRO (key word: intro, meaning introductory, meaning beginner's, meaning no climbing skills at all) session. I can't even remember the name of the person leading the session because the experience was so terrible and I have permanently blocked it out of my brain. But a note to management if you ever find this review: he said he originally came from South America and I doubt that there can be that many employees with that specific detail, so the employee you are thinking of is probably the one I'm describing. Let's just say this: if he is still with the company, he shouldn't be. He shouldn't be with any company, to be honest. Honestly, completely despicable and rotten service. How do you expect to lead a beginner intro class and come in with this snarky, holier-than-thou attitude? I get it, you've been doing this for a while. Big deal! If you expect that your snarky attitude, your groans under your breath, and your sassy eye rolling at a newbie asking questions that you've literally been PAID to answer will make me or anyone want to come back, you've got another thing coming for you. The simple fact that you'd deliberately embarrass someone for your own sick gratification is beyond wretched. The climbing community already has the reputation of being full of people with rotten attitudes and you've really set that in stone. Thanks a lot pal! To add insult to injury, the girl at front desk who was holding onto my ID during the session did nothing to stop me walking out without getting my ID back. I had to go back later that day and ask for it. The girl made no apologies, not-so-subtly laughed at me, and handed me back my ID without looking in my direction or acknowledging me at all. Well c u next Tuesday too, honey! The point being, if you're a newbie and you're reading this review, think twice about showing up here. In fact, don't think at all and simply go somewhere else. I don't know the nature of how this place has been able to stay afloat through the pandemic but when and if things get back up and running, do yourselves a favour and hire staff who understand how customer service works, because the people I had the misfortune of dealing with here certainly did not. read more

Probably the most accessible climbing gym in Toronto, since it's literally a couple minutes from Christie subway station. Pluses: - Convenient location - Friendly staff - You can borrow a lock if you need to - New bouldering wall - Active Facebook group for finding climbing partners Cons: - Small gym, some routes overlap - Not as fun solo - small bouldering area and limited number of auto belays - Extremely packed weekday nights - Typical gym smell (rental shoes kept at the front) - Pricey read more

I came here a few days ago just after a day of classes because it was conveniently located near Christie station, which is along my route home. The place itself in and around peak times, as others have reviewed, is definitely too crowded, hopefully they have the chance to make some expansions. Just a heads up, the chalk bags are extra charge, not a big concern it was just a surprise for me as most places I've been to have public use chalk bags. The problems are great, the overhangs make even the yellow and orange problems feel that much more challenging. There is also bouldering and auto belay options for those who haven't taken the regular belay course (it's an approximately 2 hour course if you're considering it), or if you have just come to climb alone. Also this place is dog friendly which is awesome but just a warning to those who are allergic and looking to visit this place. It being in Koreatown is also very nice there are some great places to eat up and down the street, while you're here I'd like to recommend the taiyaki sold 2 for $5 at PAT Korean grocery store just next door, they're served hot and are great snacks if you need a break between climbing. read more

Busy. Busy all the time. So packed. Usually full of screaming children. The staff are fantastic - very friendly, helpful, and welcoming, and I understand that this is a gym that caters primarily to beginner climbers. However, as a more experienced climber, there are some aspects of this place that frustrate me: - it's SO crowded - the staff here have no chill. They have to be that way because there are so many beginners who don't quite have a good sense of gym etiquette/safety, but I'm used to a more laid-back environment - I've had a couple of near misses with respect to people on neighbouring routes falling on top of me (this is usually due to poor belaying technique), which is not ideal - my friend has had people drop their phones on her head while leading because they are trying to take a photo at the top of the route beside hers....on more than one occasion. Since Basecamp is committed to introducing people to climbing, I appreciate that they offer courses to help new climbers transition to safe outdoor climbing. I hope they are including basic etiquette and climbing ethics in these courses, because as climbing explodes in popularity, ethical crag behaviour becomes more and more important. read more

Came here for a birthday party - $35 each person. Comes with a personal assistant to spot and help belay you. Which is good in a sense that they do all the rope tying, spotting, training etc. for you. Bad in a sense that you don't really get to learn how to tie the various knots and spot your partner/climber (that is probably what is included in the introductory classes). But overall it was good to have a staff member teach you various techniques and help you improve along the way. The walls here are def. more challenging and higher than the other rock climbing places that I've been to. The facility is clean but can get busy on the weekends. The staff are also super nice and great. I will be returning if i'm in the area again! read more

I went here with a group of friends for an introductory lesson and day pass ($45) who were (mostly) new to rock climbing and our instructor, Athena, was great! She ran us through the knots and safety procedures extremely well and it took approx. 2 hours. It was a great experience and fun. There were also kids there for a birthday party that were so encouraging to one another that it was adorable ("You can do it! It's OKif you let go as long as you tried your best!"). It is a bit small compared to other rock climbing gyms and the couches were worn out to death. There was a raggity plastic cover on the floor in front of the water fountain (to prevent the floor padding from soaking up water no doubt so it wasn't the most aesthetically looking place. Also, one of the workers at the counter was a bit of a jerk as he kept yelling at my friend to check-in while she was taking off her jacket/bags and putting them in a cubby. Did he think we were just going to start climbing? Despite the cosmetics and a solo worker, it was really fun and I would go again! read more

The whole experience was so much fun (even though I'm scared of heights) and the staff is so friendly! They will make sure you know the safety guidelines and show you techniques. Max is super helpful and makes sure that you're safe the whole time. Highly recommend. read more

I got myself and my friend the intro lesson and the two-week package as a birthday present, and I am so happy that I did. We've just used up our two weeks and plan to buy the 10 visit package next, so that we have some more flexibility and don't miss out on any opportunities to climb because of our changing schedules. I definitely recommend the lesson and 10 visit package if you're a beginner though, it's a really good deal and you'll learn very quickly if you come in a lot. The harness and shoes are included in that deal. We're also going to be investing in our own harnesses soon... this has definitely become a long-term interest! Every time we go in, we learn more and slowly are developing techniques and skills through intuition and practice. As someone who's relatively new to climbing, I can't review the facilities from an expert perspective, but here is what I like: The staff are all incredibly kind, patient, friendly, and helpful. They all seem very knowledgable, experienced, and enthusiastic about climbing, and overall everyone I've interacted with has a great, encouraging attitude -- not to mention they seem to make a point to remember people's names. Everything during the lesson and test was explained clearly and gone over until you're completely confident, and there are always lots of staff available to answer questions if you're ever uncertain about something. The auto-belay system is really cool. So far I have only visited the gym with my friend, but if one of us arrives early or has to leave early, the auto-belay routes are available for solo climbing. It's easy to learn to use them and there are lots of options, even though I personally find them more psychologically challenging than climbing with a partner. The variety! There are so many different types of climbs for different skill levels, and the routes are always changing. I love how high the walls are and that there always seem to be plenty of options, even when it's busy. I feel like I get the most out of my time when I'm there, and the turnover is fast enough that you can keep coming back, but not too fast that you don't have time to come back and master a wall that you've been trying to conquer. There are showers, lockers, and washrooms downstairs. Washroom and water fountain on the main level. Upstairs there is some training equipment that I don't know how to use, but other people seem to know what to do with it. No air conditioning, but I actually like the heat on hot days... aside from having slippery hands, it's like hot yoga, a better work-out. Not a problem for me. The location is convenient, as are the hours. I usually come on weekday afternoons when it's not as busy, but even when it's been busy I've never felt all that crowded. Sometimes there's absolutely nobody climbing on the right because that's where a lot of the overhangs are, which is a little intimidating for less advanced climbers. The left side of the gym has the training wall and auto-belays, so it can get a bit squished, but not too bad. Everyone is mindful of those around them. I've heard that the price is higher than other gyms in Toronto, but given that I can walk there from my place and the amazing experience I've had so far... it's definitely worth it for me. Can't wait to get back there! read more

I came here with a group of colleagues and paid around $35 for a group belayed climb. Pros: -free locker rental & organized check-in process with ipads to sign waivers -staff were super helpful during group climb to shout out hints and what not when I got stuck on the wall :) -routes get revamped / changed frequently so climbers have variety of puzzles to solve Cons: -small space, the gym filled up quickly -lots of waiting around for people to finish by the walls, and/or ended up close to someone on the wall while climbing Overall impression: Had a great time, friendly staff, and good location close to subway + food! read more

My friends and I visited basecamp climbing yesterday, there were 5 of us total. We had such an amazing time, the atmosphere was super laid back and fun. The main thing that really made our experience great was the staff, specifically an employee named Sefton. He showed us how to be safe while climbing, practiced all the appropriate procedures with us and then he hung out with us and showed us some of the climbs. He was so friendly and helpful it felt like he was a part of our group of friends. He even pushed us to do some more difficult climbs and encouraged us through them. It was a one off experience and I'm so grateful he spent the time with us. He is the perfect example of someone you can tell loves their job, and it makes a huge difference. Thank you! read more

Basecamp - Rock climbing - Climbing Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I am a complete newbie to climbing but when I saw basecamp's friendly logo and clever punny sayings on the outside I decided to give it a shot. I bought the two week package with my friend. The beginner class was about 2 hours long where the first 1.5 hours was spent on knot tying. The next visit after the class you can get your top rope belaying certification. The package is best enjoyed with a partner so you can belay on all the walls. I really enjoyed rock climbing over the two weeks and I think I will continue. Pros Downtown location Friendly staff They change the walls pretty frequently Cons I have to agree with another reviewer that the beginner side seems unnecessarily crowded when compared with the "expert" side which is really hard and significantly less used. The busiest times are right around dinner. I wish the staff would wear nametags so I could remember them better. They're great people and always willing to help. The instructors are great too. read more

This gym is small and they overpack the area. You have to wait for the people beside you to climb as it is too close. All the routes are scattered around this gym. This gym is not worth to get a pass, only visiting once is enough. They need to fix many issues in this gym. And there is garbage everywhere in the washrooms which is gross. read more

This is an unsafe place to workout as they do not follow covid protocols. it is a very crowded small area and poor air ventilation. Many people at a time without 6 feet apart. they care only about money by allowing too many people to go inside. Poor sanitation. Garbage bin was overflowing and dirty tissues on the floor. Save your time and go to another gym instead. read more

The wall itself is alright, though I've heard it's high for a Canadian indoor wall. The route setting is extremely variable - if you're a beginner you probably won't notice or mind, but if you're intermediate you'll probably find that what gets billed as a 5.9, for instance, varies widely. They also seem to have a habit of 'over-cruxing' their single-digit difficulties, which means that you might find the bottom and top half is like strolling up a ladder with some higher-level maneuvering required in the middle. Personally, I prefer my climbs to be consistently interesting rather than bashing myself against three holds halfway up, but YMMV. This is a new climbing wall so it's natural that they're still settling in and sorting stuff out. However, there are a couple of isses which surprised me, mainly because I would've thought they'd be easy to spot at the planning stage. The permanent nature of all the wall's features means that the higher difficulties are all on one side (the side with ample room and seating), while the easier routes are squished together in what are extremely cramped circumstances. Don't get me wrong, if you're there during less busy times, there is ample room to climb and belay, but even mildly busy activity will make walking and belaying there a pain in the neck. Weekday evenings it's like you're belaying in the middle of a crowded party. To me, this feels like a couple of fairly good climbers decided to build their fantasy wall and figured they best include some easy stuff for the plebs. Their corporate/group packages are financially a good deal, but not very well organised. You'd think they'd have a way to reserve climbs (and gear!) for lessons (especially on weeknights, which are obviously going to be busy), but from watching a few of these, it's apparent they don't have a thought-out procedure. If you're thinking of going, I'd recommend wrangling a session during the day, where scarcity management is less likely to be an issue. Otherwise their teachers and staff seem friendly and knowledgable, so while the good will is there, the organisation has some catching up to do. In summary, this wall will do well on the strength of their public transit connections and once they sort out their group/corporate angle. If you're a beginner, you'll be fine. If you're intermediate, you might find aspects of it frustrating, and I recommend you avoid busy times at all costs. read more

Used to be a great place to climb. Now it's always crowded and you got to wait cause there's too many people. They rarely change the routes too. read more

Basecamp, you dah baseCHAMP. I've climbed here weekly for almost a month, and I'd say you'd be hard pressed to find something as fun right smack dab in Koreatown. A+ location, A+ staff, and a bomb selection of new climbs that switch up on a weekly basis, if not more often. Prices are super reasonable, with a day pass running just over $20 for student drop-ins. I didn't grab the intro package, but I really wish I did - it's $60 for a 2 hour toplining lesson, rentals, and a two week unlimited membership. Considering that the lesson (climbing/belaying/technique/etiquette) on its own is $40, that's crazy good value. One of my favourite parts about this gym is the indoor bike parking. It's not advertised on their site, but they offer space towards the back walls for cyclists. On any given visit, you'll see a good eight, nine sets of wheels, neatly stacked double. Our group usually eats nearby after climbing, so it's amazing to be able to leave your ride and come back to pick it up - no lock, no prob! Some climbers aren't a fan of how the staff here are stricter about safety and won't shy away from pointing out mistakes in belaying technique or clipping in/knot tying. The way I see it, the dedication Basecamp has to making sure everyone who comes in has a safe climb is pretty darn spectacular - aww, they care! They also have eagle eyes, so no trying to pull a fast one. QUICK + DIRTY FIRST-TIMER TIPS: - climbing shoes fit tight, bring a pair of indoor slip-ons to give your feet a break in between climbs - they have lockers here! Trade a piece of ID as collateral to borrow a lock - they're running an after school program right now that ends at six, so come before to see kiddies rock the walls, or after if you're allergic/have an easily bruised ego - the walls towards the center left that incline in are a little easier than their difficulty level because the slope is forgiving if you need a mid-ascent rest - conversely, the climbs with overhang on the right are arguably harder than their level because the outwards slope means more upper body strength comes into play - changerooms downstairs; conditioning + small bouldering area, 2nd floor; no outdoor shoes, those come off at reception Bonus: have spotted either cute doggos and/or v. cute girls here every. single. visit. That is all I will say on this matter. Happy (Base)camping, y'all. read more

Love it! I come most afternoons for a quick hour or two. Lots of autos to work on and more often than not somone is usually willing to help you top rope. The staff are great. Really welcoming and helpful. And they change the routes so often there is always something new to keep you busy with. Oh and It's so new and the wall will rip you apart :) read more

Went in to buy two carabiners a couple of days ago. Turns out my friend didn't need them, and when I went to return them (with the original receipt), was told they don't take returns. Clearly I was not told this when I bought them, or when they verified that I wanted a receipt, as I wouldn't have gotten them. And now I'm stuck with two brand-new very expensive carabiners that I don't need, and a bitter taste in my mouth. read more

I'm sure this place is really great if you're a frequent rock climber. But for a beginner like myself, this place was a nightmare. This was my experience: Today I decided to confront my fear of heights and try rock climbing for the first time in my life. I'm 39. My girlfriend is an experienced climber, she coaxed me to visit with a good friend who is a rock climbing trainer at another gym. I was invited to have a personal session with him first, and take all the time I needed to feel comfortable, confident, and ready. We spent over an hour at his place going over the basic techniques, and he helped me prepare for my first climb. I was feeling as ready as ever when I arrived at Basecamp. I signed the waiver, paid my fee, and was given my rental gear. I knew what I was getting myself into, and I was feeling ready to confront my fear of heights with confidence and determination. I was feeling good about this! I went into my climbing test with a sense of readiness after going over the knots numerous times. I tied my knots with ease having spent the afternoon learning, and I passed my first stage of the test! The tester gave me tips on my knots which were helpful, but kept saying how surprised he was that someone who was about to climb for the very first time would skip the Basecamp training session and proceed directly to testing. Then he asked my girlfriend to demonstrate her belay techniques and he looked at me and said: "Go ahead and climb the beginner wall to the top then fall". I gulped. "What?", I said! He replied: "I need to see her belay techniques, so go climb the wall and fall without warning". I approached the wall and grabbed onto the first hold, took a deep breath, and committed myself to ascending the wall for the first time in my life. I climbed 3 meters above the floor when my heart began to pound hard. I looked down to the tester as he was watching my girlfriend's techniques. I told him that this was as far as I could go, and he looked up at me and said "I need you to keep going, we're not done yet". I looked up and decided that this was as far as I was going to go. So I allowed myself to fall back into the harness to let my girlfriend bring me down. I knew she had done this many times before. At this point the tester pushed me to do more, claiming he hadn't yet finished testing her. So I approached the wall again and took another look at the 4-storey wall above me. I climbed slower this time as my heart was still pounding from my first attempt. I went as high as 3 meters again before I could go no higher. My fear of heights was kicking in, having approached the wall much faster and higher than I had expected, or was comfortable with, under the conditions of a test to evaluate the skills of my girlfriend. I informed the tester "I've gone as far as I am comfortable going". The tester shot me a look which said "Are you serious? You're only 3 meters up!". He said nothing, his look said it all. By now I had had enough of pushing myself to satisfy the needs of this tester to evaluate my girlfriend's already seasoned skills of belaying. I fell back into the harness, I put my trust in her capable hands, and let her bring me down to the floor before her test had completed. Next, the tester asked me to demonstrate my belay skills. By this time I was still reeling from climbing the wall, twice, as high as I could in that moment. I demonstrated to the best of my ability what I had learned, my right hand never losing grip on the rope. Because I had learned this technique earlier in the day, and without any weight on the rope, I was awkward. I showed him as best as I could, while understanding the seriousness and gravity of the skills I was demonstrating: That I would be holding the safety of my partner literally in my hands. Again, I knew what I was getting into, and I understood the need for testing. Unfortunately, I feel I was not given a realistic opportunity to put what I had learned into practice. The tester determined that I was too slow, and he failed my belay test. After testing, both my girlfriend and I were not willing to continue as we could not partner together. Thankfully, we were both given full refunds. But the saddest thing for me: I really wanted to climb. I felt prepared and confident about facing my lifelong fear. Regretfully, the tester didn't seem to consider that I could only do this at my own pace and comfort level. Instead I felt rushed, pushed, then grilled for not having any experience whatsoever and for having a private lesson elsewhere. The fact that my girlfriend failed her belay test is a testament to how intimidating this tester was. She's an occasional climber who owns her own gear. She was disgusted to see how I was used for her belay test. Upon leaving, we decided this was not the gym for us. I'm sure someday I will give rock climbing another try. But after this excruciating experience, it likely won't be anytime soon, and it definitely won't be at Basecamp. read more

Came for the top rope lesson and 2 week membership promo ($69) - great deal if you need rentals and able to come a few times after the lesson. Instructor was very friendly and thorough. It was busy on Sunday afternoon and PACKED on weekday evenings - other climbers are respectful of space but be prepared to wait to climb. read more

I came here on Saturday night for Basecamp's launch party and I've got to say, I was a little skeptical. I called beforehand to make sure I'd be able to climb and to inquire about the price of shoe and harness rentals. I arrived at 8 PM. The place was busy and the first guy I spoke with didn't have the time to answer my questions. Whoever he passed me off to was more than great though, and showed me everything I needed. For $10 you can climb from 8-11 on any of the five auto-belays. It is $5.50 for shoe rentals (get out! So cheap) and another $5.50 for harness rentals but you can get both for ten. There was no bouldering and originally I was disappointed, until I started climbing the walls. I was having so much fun I didn't care. Each of the five auto-belay walls had two different levels. I'm a beginner, I found them challenging, but so fun! There was also a child here (one lone child), so it's good for children too. Upstairs they had an angled rock wall you could climb on, rings (which were later removed for the party), and snacks! I was not expecting that. The music was great, the staff was so friendly, even at the busiest time of the night, I never had to wait more than 3 minutes to climb. Change rooms and lockers are in the basement, bring a lock. There is also a coat rack on the main level. I didn't stay late to drink (the party went on until 2a.m.). I would definitely recommend going to Basecamp. It's an extremely good time. Well done! read more

Had a bad experience with a female staff member. I'm new to rock climbing and did not read a certain sign. For doing so I was yelled and shamed at, I quickly apologized and unhooked myself however apparently this wasn't enough. She decided to continue yelling at me about the sign which I already apologized for- This really ruined my entire experience. I will not be coming back to this place if staff cannot simply understand proper social skills. Yelling, shouting and berating someone for a simple mistake is very unprofessional! read more

Great location and so fun. Alex gave us our belay test and was really helpful, and she's super sharp at keeping an eye out for improper technique so you know you're safe when she's around. Nice mix of people, from wee little kids being supervised by an instructor to extremely well practiced climbers (one was literally parallel to the floor in the air at one point). I just wish they had a few more "beginner" routes (5.4-5.7). There's only a handful and we noticed a whole back wall of 5.10-5.12's totally bare. read more

An event set up by one of the college council's, U of T invited students to rock climb, so my friend and I decided to take part since it was close by (nearest to Christie Station) and because I enjoy rock climbing, even with my little experience with it. I have not been to any other rock climbing gyms in T.O, but my experience with Basecamp was so much fun! In groups of 3-5, we were belayed by one of the staff (Max in my case, awesome guy!), but all of them were super friendly and approachable. They handled nervous climbers and descenders well and were encouraging throughout. The climbs and bouldering wall upstairs were challenging and left me sore the day after, which I was glad for. Unfortunately I did not pay attention to the costs, but there is a student discount section, including $19 for a student day pass, which I think is fair. I would definitely come back here again if I had the chance to with U of T. read more

I am a regular intermediate-level climber at another gym in the GTA. I was excited to climb at basecamp and am very happy that I came in to give it a try. The gym is compact but offers a taller height (40 feet) than other gyms due to its unique location within an old seedy theatre. If you love roped climbs this is a wonderful place. Their walltopia walls offer interesting and varied angles and a nice prow with overhang for lead climbing. The slab portion is FANTASTIC and is the slabbiest slab I have seen in any gym in Toronto. The west half of the gym features steeper angles and overhanging routes that are more challenging. In terms of setup, top ropes on overhanging portions of the wall have a clip that you dump as you go up and put back as you go down so you don't swing out. I also appreciated that basecamp uses dynamic ropes which allow for comfy falls and enough friction in the system that my preteen daughter could belay me. In terms of setting, I am very spoiled at my regular gym, so there is room for improvement here as some of the sequences I found a bit awkward, even on easier routes (5.9's). HOWEVER staff are amazing and friendly and courteous and welcoming and even offer a catch when the gym is quiet. The adjoining cafe is an awesome amenity to have! And to top it off there is indoor bike parking, a beautiful clean change room, and a little training/bouldering area in the old balcony. There were even two urban crag dogs visiting the gym, so it seems that if you have a well socialized and trained furry friend you might be allowed to bring them along if granted permission. I loved basecamp and will go back soon! read more

3.5 stars. This is my home gym and I go here mainly because I live nearby, but I prefer some other gyms in the city. It's a relatively small space and one of the most expensive gyms in the city (probably due to downtown rents), but the main issue for me is it is WAY TOO CROWDED if you have a day job and can only go on weekday evenings. I try to go late so that the crowd starts to thin out, but if you go during the time that makes the most sense for most people (6-9pm), it's terrible! Yet, they keep having more and more programs/incentives to bring in more customers (okay, I get they need to pay the downtown bills, but it's really crappy for those of us who are your devoted current customer base). With this many people, the gym can smell really bad (although staff do their best to keep it clean) - like nasty, dirty gym socks. Now for the good: the walls are varied and interesting enough with slab/vertical/overhang all available, route setting has improved over the years and is not all soft like it used to be and has gotten more interesting (that, or I'm just getting used to their style), holds are kept pretty clean compared to other gyms (tanks for washing them!), staff are friendly and helpful, they take safety very seriously (both a good and bad thing as they are sometimes a bit over the top with it), climbers are generally a friendly bunch (probably like everywhere), they have fun social events sometimes, there is a tiny bouldering area upstairs now (although I hope they put the training areas back up soon). I know gyms make money on birthday parties and kiddie programs, but space is too limited to have kids running around and tripping over the adults' ropes (dangerous if someone is lead climbing) and now that area is downstairs since bouldering is now upstairs. It's not a great gym for kids (for that, try Rock Oasis). Lately they have a lot more easy routes (lots of new people coming in?) and not enough moderate 5.10s.. and with the crowds and 10s being arguably the most popular routes, you have to wait (see: crowded!) and also may run out of routes to climb. read more