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Phoenix or Tucson for climbing?

Original Post
Michaelaw · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

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!

Luke Bertelsen · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Feb 2005 · Points: 4,867

This is a joke, right??

T U C S O N

Close to Lemmon. Not too far from the Homestead. Lots of other little places here and there, and........

You won't have to live in Phoenix.

Micah K · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 60

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.

Marcy - · · Tucson/DMR · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 1,190

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.

I have been based in Tucson since 2010 (I married a Tucsonian). Tons of sport options on Lemmon and even closer to the Stronghold (long day trips doable). Lemmon is climbable year-round. Tucson is farther from Red Rock, Jtree, Tahquitz (though the latter two have less sport options). There is one gym with roped climbing and, I think, one with just bouldering. If you're looking or mostly day trips, I think I'd recommend Tucson mainly because of Lemmon, but if w/e trips could be manageable for you, I'd lean towards the Tempe area.

What are you planning on studying?

leon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 15

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.

K-Tanz · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 211

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.

Alex Kirkpatrick · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 335

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.

This is just the city and has nothing to do with all the amazing outdoor places near by. Yes the traffic is the fucking worst, and there are some poor people. If you carry hand sanitizer in your purse and enjoy a nice parking lot and posh outlet stores, move to Phoenix. Otherwise, Tucson is an infinitely more livable place.

For the climbing, don't move here if you climb 14c. Otherwise there is tons for everyone in a big variety of styles.

BenClimbing · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 245

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.

Dance Party · · Seattle, Wa · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 105

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.

JediGorf · · Waterville, ME · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 5

Tucson is awesome! Year-round climbing. U of A is, by far, the better school for most fields. Pretty obvious choice.

BFK · · TBD · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 287

Definitely Tucson! Top reasons:
1. Better school/campus (I feel ASU is too disconnected and UofA just invested a TON of money into their campus facilities).
2. Year round climbing on lemmon and it keeps getting better. When I was there (1998-2003) Miligrosa canyon was still getting developed and most climbs only had word-of-mouth beta,... now that place is called 5.11 heaven and it blows my mind how many routes there are on MP. Also, if you really crank, the fortress looks like it has seen development of some proud hard lines. I was still working 'Hard Day at the Orifice' when I was there (one of the best 5.12s around!)
3. I know only a few people have posted on this thread but I can't believe no one has mentioned Hueco Tanks!!!! From Tucson you are only 3-3.5 hours from the bouldering Mecca of the US. I would go there every December and February.
4. As already mentioned, Cochise is sick and a good place to get your trad game in order.
5. As for gyms,... do you need more than one? It's super close to campus (bike-able) and I have a lot of respect for the founders (used to hook us poor college kids up with free memberships if we belayed for birthday parties once a week).
6. It's always about 10 degrees cooler in Tucson as opposed to Phoenix,... nuf said.

BFK

Tyler Meester · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 20

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.

The main reason I like living in Tempe as opposed to Tucson is the fact that there is a ton of good climbing less than 3 hours away in either direction. Being in the center of the state, you can easily do a day trip to many of the great climbing locations in Arizona. I can go to Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon, Flagstaff, Mt.Lemmon, Cochise, Winslow Wall/Jacks Canyon, Payson, Cochise Stronghold, The Homestead. There is no 10 minute crag here, but you get to climb on a ton of different rock and have a lot of options about where to climb. Even more awesome, The drive to Indian Creek, Red Rocks, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and other awesome climbing destinations is not too bad from Tempe. I've left for Red Rocks on a Thursday night, climbed a full day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and then came back Sunday night.

Christian RodaoBack · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 1,486

Tucson is like this, so you probably don't wanna come here

Caipirada

Eric D · · Gnarnia · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 235

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.

leon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 15
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....
Joe G · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 0

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!

Joe Garcia

Christian RodaoBack · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 1,486
Eric D · · Gnarnia · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 235
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.
Steve Powell · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2002 · Points: 915

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.
As far as Tucson culture, I spent my time in the older sections, and enjoyed it.

leon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 15
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?
leon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 15

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.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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