Inside a 1938 movie theatre that once was segregated is State Climb, a climbing gym open to all. Operating as a non-profit, State Climb asks visitors to either join as a member or pay what you can. My friends and I went right when they opened at 3 p.m. on a Friday in October. Here's our experience:
1) Instructions: Two staff members taught us how to tie knots, belay, etc. Once we had the hang of it, they stayed with us to make sure we were climbing safely and/or had any questions. They were great instructors and very personable.
2) Walls: There are four different climbing walls and three ropes. Two walls you can climb without roping in and two others you rope in. (One had an automatic belay machine.) If it's your first time, but you want to climb high, go to the tallest wall and follow the blue markers.
3) Space: It's in the space that was the stage of an old theater. It's kept clean and comes with a training area, restrooms, changing rooms, etc.
4) Staff: When you check in, they give you shoes to climb. (There are cubbies to place your shoes in.) If you didn't sign a waiver online, they'll have you sign when you enter. Every staff person we met was very nice and helpful! read more
