2.04.2015

Where Should I Climb Indoors?


In the Portland/Metro area we are lucky to have six gyms to choose from where we can hone our climbing skills. We reached out to all of the gyms to provide you with this brief guide on where to climb. Each gym provided their stats as well as a brief write-up about why you should climb at their gym. 

ClubSport Ascent Climbing Center

Stats
  • Wall square footage: 11,500 sq. feet textured climbing surface.
  • Height: 25–45 feet.
  • Bouldering, top roping, lead climbing—wide variety of terrain, cracks and overhangs.
  • Host of four national youth competitions and local competitions.
  • Other amenities: full service restaurant and bar; childcare available at a small additional charge.
  • Hours: M-F 6 a.m.–11 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location/Info
18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Road,
Tigard, OR.

Rates
Day: $16
Punch pass: $99 (11-punch pass; no expiration)

Featuring a new name, ClubSport has been offering a state of the art climbing facility since the mid 1990s when it took over a space that was a former Costco store. During its long history, it has managed to create a consistent tradition of great route setting and programming. One common misconception about ClubSport is that you have to have a membership to climb there. The climbing center has an affordable day pass and a multi-punch card option which now features no expiration. Check out the rock gym’s new 360 cam tour on the website. 

The Circuit


Stats
  • Wall square footage: 10,000 sq. feet (SW), 14,000 sq. feet (NE), 19,000 sq. feet (Tigard).
  • Height: 14 feet (SW), 8–17 feet (NE), 14 feet (Tigard).
  • Bouldering.
  • Other amenities (varies by location): Training & fitness areas, slacklines, dedicated kids area, yoga.
  • Hours: varies by location.

Location/Info
NE: 410 NE 17th Ave., Portland, OR.
SW: 6050 SW Macadam, Ave., Portland, OR.
Tigard: 16255 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road, Tigard, OR.

Rates
  • Day: $14/$12 student
  • Month: $67/$57 student/$137 family of three; with EFT contract (11-month minimum) $57/$47 student/$117 family of three
  • Punch pass: $112/$96 student (10 punch pass, no expiration)
  • Annual prepaid: $579/$479 student

Planet Granite


Stats
  • Wall square footage: 30,500 sq. feet; 18,000 holds
  • 150+ routes, 200+ boulder problems
  • 18 cracks (4 adjustable)
  • Height: 55-foot roped walls; 18-foot ball boulder.
  • Other amenities: Two yoga and fitness studios, two comprehensive training areas, one bouldering ramp, showers/towels, lockers, dry sauna.
  • Hours: M-F 6 a.m.–11 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location/Info
1405 NW 14th Ave., Portland, OR.

Rates
  • Day: $18/$14 student/$12 child
  • Morning pass: $14
  • Month: $77/$62 student/$120 family of two
  • Punch pass: $165, 10-punch
  • Annual: $847/$682 student/$1,320 family of two

Planet Granite was founded in the Bay Area in 1994 as an elite training facility for climbers at a time when few other such businesses existed. It started simply as an idea that climbers, this small fringe group of athletes, deserved a world-class facility with sport specific training including climbing, yoga and fitness. Our founder, Micky Lloyd, was among the first to design and build climbing specific training tools like hydraulically operable walls and adjustable cracks. 

In the 20 years since we opened, Planet Granite has grown to become a place not only used by some of the best climbers in the world to train, but also a place to introduce beginners to a sport we love. 

The new Portland facility features 20,000 square feet of custom Walltopia designs for roped climbing up to 55 feet high, including 18 cracks, four of which are hydraulically adjustable. The bouldering area includes 10,000 square feet of Walltopia’s signature 3D walls and 18-foot high ball bouldering. 

Two yoga and fitness studios in the facility will host a suite of studio-quality classes. Furthermore, a comprehensive training area, for both climbers and functional fitness enthusiasts alike, offers everything from Olympic weight lifting equipment to a variety of climbing specific tools such as an adjustable systems board and the Atomik Bombs.

Portland Rock Gym (PRG)



Stats
  • Wall square footage: 15,000 sq. feet; 
  • Up to 120 routes (60 lead, 60 top-rope)
  • Height: 40-foot top rope and lead walls
  • 150–180 boulder problems
  • Other amenities: Five True Blue auto-belay systems, Finger and System Boards, Pro Shop, Weight Room, Cardio Machines, Yoga Classes
  • Hours: M/W/F 11 a.m.–11 p.m., T/TH 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location/Info
21 NE 12th Ave., Portland, OR. 

Rates
  • Day: $15/$13 student/military
  • Day Pre-3 p.m. (M–F only): $10
  • Month: $63/$52 w/ annual contract or for students/$43 student w/ annual contract/$150 family of three
  • Punch pass: $135 (10-punch pass; 1–year expiration)
  • Annual prepaid: $572/$1276 families of three/$473 student/military


Founded by owner Gary Rall in 1988, the Portland Rock Gym is the second oldest indoor rock climbing gym in the country. With its mixture of rope climbing and bouldering, top-rope routes, and towering, overhanging lead walls, PRG offers a realistic climbing experience for beginning and experienced climbers alike. 

PRG continues to offer a world-class indoor climbing experience for beginning and experienced climbers alike. At any given time, you’ll find 150–180 boulder problems throughout the gym. There are approximately 60 lead and 60 top-rope lines allowing up to 120 routes at a given time.

Routes at PRG run the full gamut of grades. Currently, you’ll find most boulder problems in the V0-V6 range, and the majority of top-rope routes falling between 5.8 and 5.11-. Lead routes tend to average slightly higher. The variety of course setters and two month route rotation guarantee a positive experience no matter what your training goals. In addition, you’ll find a weight room, cardio machines, yoga classes, and various finger and system boards to round out your workout.

PRG has been a part of the Portland climbing community since it’s humble beginning back in 1988. Much of this success is due to the accessibility of PRG and the beginner-friendly atmosphere. We love being a part of Portland and sharing the positive benefits and fun of climbing with everyone. PRG has been locally owned and operated throughout its existence and plans to remain in Portland for many years to come. 


The Source


Stats
  • Wall Square footage: 6,200 sq feet
  • 68 routes, 34 top rope and lead lanes, 60+ boulder problems
  • Height: 36-foot top rope and lead, 20-foot youth wall, 14-foot bouldering, 10-foot youth bouldering
  • Other amenities: Autobelays, fully air-conditioned, warm-up mezzanine, student and family discounts, classes for every age and ability. 
  • Hours: M-F 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location/Info
1118 Main Street, Vancouver, WA.

Rates
  • Day: $12 
  • Month: $55/$46 EFT with $27 start up fee (no contract or cancellation fees; option to freeze)
  • Punch Pass: $96, 10-punch
  • Annual Prep-Paid: $472


Climbers go to the Source for great route-setting and friendly staff with flexible membership options in a clean, well-lit facility. The routes are set by active local climbers with as much as 30 years of outdoor climbing experience. The rates are affordable, and there are no cancellation fees or expiration dates. The community welcomes every climber, so don’t be surprised if they remember your name on your second visit. The Source is a sleek, modern facility you will enjoy climbing in. Consider a membership if you live/work in Vancouver, Camas, or north Portland. Otherwise, take advantage of the affordable 10-punch pass with no expiration date or sign up for one of our classes and clinics. The Source is located on Main Street in Vancouver only 15 minutes from downtown Portland, making it a great option for those needing a change of scene from their regular gym. 

Stoneworks

Stats
  • Height: 20–34 feet
  • Top route options include five auto belays, and eight manual belay.

Location/Info
6775 SW 111th Ave., Beaverton, OR.
belay.com

Rates
  • Day: $11/$10 college student
  • Month: $46/$40 college student
  • Punch pass: $40 5-punch; $68 10–punch (exp. 90 days)


An all-in-one climbing gym, Stoneworks has been open for climbers since 1993. We boast amazing lead terrain on our 34-foot walls that includes a 25-foot lead arch and a free hanging stalactite. Our top rope walls range in height from 34 feet to 20 feet and include five auto-belays and eight manual top roping stations, allowing everyone to try our naturally textured walls, hand cracks, and chimneys. 

The bouldering landscape incorporates a cave, an expansive roof section, a top-out boulder, and three high-ball areas, the newest of which takes boulderers 20 feet above our customized, three-foot padded flooring. 

We offer introductory belay, sport, and trad-climbing classes that will allow all climbers to make the shift from indoors to outdoors safely. Our newest additions, a café and Anti-Gravity Climbing Gear Store, will open in late fall. Come join the great community of friends and family who promote a fun and helping atmosphere. Enjoy, climb, and make new friends!



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