Phoenix or Tucson for climbing?
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I'm looking at going to school at either University of Arizona in Tucson, or Arizona State in Phoenix. While climbing won't make the decision for me, it will certainly play a role in which one I choose. I'm especially psyched on sport climbing right now, and want to live somewhere where there is a strong climbing community, and good hard sport climbing not too far away. Trad and bouldering are good too though. Any input from locals? Thanks! |
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This is a joke, right?? |
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I went to ASU and UofA and considering the education I received and the amount of climbing, Tucson was much better. There are only a few climbing places in Phoenix and most are choss piles. Mt. Lemmon maybe has more climbing then the rest of the state combined..and not to mention Cochise. |
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It depends what you mean by "not too far away." I lived in Tempe/PHX for many years and now am based in Tucson, though still maintain a home in Tempe. I started climbing in Tempe and have found an awesome climbing community there. Weekend trips north to Flag/Prescott/Sedona/Red Rock/Tahquitz/Jtree or south to Lemmon/the Stronghold are completely doable. Day trips to Queen Creek/Homestead are reasonable, too. There is great local trad climbing when the temps are reasonable (i.e. not the summer). The Phoenix area also has multiple gyms, one within walking distance from ASU, if you're into that. |
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Phoenix. Mainly for esthetics and culture. Lemmon and Cochise are still very driveable if you live in Phoenix. Tuscon is a hole except for Catalina foothills and Starr Mountain areas. Crime rates are huge too. |
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There is a reason climbing magazine rated Tucson the #1 climbing city in the country. Year round climbing, thousands of routes, close to cochise and the year round climbing on Lemmon, same access to the Homestead as Phoenix. It is dirty, smells like industrialized farming, crime rates are high, and traffic is a constant nightmare. That said you can climb probably 340 days a year. If climbing is your #1 and not culture or hellish traffic then Tucson is where it's at. I love Phoenix and live there now and it is a great city for climbing but Tucson is simply better. |
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I feel compelled to respond to Tucson being called a "hole". It actually has a pretty good music and arts scene, there are tons of cool restaurants, a decent scene for college kids (from bros to hipsters), you can ride your bike basically everywhere if you live by campus, the climate is pretty temperate, and the downtown is undergoing a big time re-vamp. |
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Choose the school from which the degree in your chosen field of study will be more valuable to your future goals. You will figure the climbing part out in either city. |
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Tucson is amazing. If you live in the SW quadrant of the city you can walk/bike everywhere and only have to deal with traffic when you're headed to go climb. The city is beautiful with a lot going on. Far superior to Phoenix, IMHO. Though, Phx has a growing arts scene, so if you also wanted to get into the artsy fartsy stuff that may sway your opinion. Strictly for the climbing, Tucson wins hands down. |
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Tucson is awesome! Year-round climbing. U of A is, by far, the better school for most fields. Pretty obvious choice. |
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Definitely Tucson! Top reasons: |
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Mt. Lemmon is pretty awesome, but I personally don't like Tucson. Aside from U of A campus Tucson is rather ugly and has a way more 'industrial' feel to it than Tempe, where the ASU campus is. I go to ASU and love it, the ASU Outdoors Club is a huge club filled with people who love rock climbing, canyoneering, backpacking, etc. |
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Tucson is like this, so you probably don't wanna come here |
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Tucson actually has more culture than any city I have experienced in the U.S. It may not be full of world class museums but that city has a lot of soul and personality with tons of things going on. |
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Eric D wrote:Tucson actually has more culture than any city I have experienced in the U.S. It may not be full of world class museums but that city has a lot of soul and personality with tons of things going on.I think you need to get out more, bro.... |
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Tucson is like a crappy house in a good neighborhood. The people are cool for the most part in the climbing community and the climbing is really good. But the traffic sucks , it's old , dirty and will be out of water in the future. You can get to the same climbing from Phoenix easily in a day and it's much easier to get to norther az from Phoenix. From a climbing stand point Phoenix is much better with its central location in the state and an hr n half closer to red rocks :) you'll get tired of Lemmon after a while. But from an education stand point I think UofA still ranks much better . Go to U of A get an education then move to Phoenix , get a good job and climb year round with access to great areas in just a couple hrs :) got it all figured out for ya! |
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leon wrote: I think you need to get out more, bro....Since the start of the year I have been to Venezuela, a few cities in England, and a few cities in South Korea. I am at 35,000 air miles since January 1st. And what have you been up to Leon? People need to be open minded when it comes to what culture is. Culture goes way beyond fancy museums and galas. |
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I spent two weeks in Tucson last year. I climbed at Mt. Lemmon, and enjoyed it. Hoped to make it to the Stronghold. Maybe someday. |
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Eric D wrote: Since the start of the year I have been to Venezuela, a few cities in England, and a few cities in South Korea. I am at 35,000 air miles since January 1st. And what have you been up to Leon? People need to be open minded when it comes to what culture is. Culture goes way beyond fancy museums and galas.Both Carolinas, West VA, New York City, Pokeepsee, Vermont, PA, Maryland, Washington DC, Denver, CO Springs, Ouray, Rifle, Moab, George Town, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, Tuscon, Both Dakotas, Wyoming , Montana.....just to name a few. Maybe I just like pretty things.... What cities in the US are you comparing Tuscon to? Maybe I am missing something. What was so exciting and extraordinarily cultural about Tuscon? Maybe I should recoil and check out something I missed? Was it the ladies? |
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According the the city crime rate directory South Tuscon is #1, and Phoenix is #12 in AZ. The road quality in Tuscon really sucks. Hopefully the new trolley lines don't cramp the 4th street riding even more than it is now. I am a roadie and was looking forward to training in Tuscon during my visit. Mt Lemmon highway is sweet, but the rest of the town's roads are far from decent. Things I enjoyed in Tuscon: art fairs, bike swap, mellow winter weather, and pawn shops. It's not without a charm. Although, for a young college kid Phoenix would be a better choice...I think. |