Houston - Partners.Best Gyms..nearest areas?

Hey Guys,

Im biting the bullet for a very good job, and moving to Houston at the end of march. I dont know the area worth a piss, and im assuming theres not a ton of climbing nearby, but fortunately im not opposed to driving far for climbing. Quick google search shows there is a decent amount of gyms in the area, hoping for some info on the best ones. Or anybody nearby who wants to make a friend to gym climb / roadtrip with would be greatly appreciated. Also even info on the best areas to live. So far ive been recommended to look for places in the heights.

Anywho...I lead trad up to 5.10b (new england grades) and mid range 5.11 sport. Also if we make good partners and youre into mountaineering I wouldnt be opposed to those kinds of trips as well..I do plan to make it back to rainier at somepoint this summer and jump on the curtis ridge.

anywho..any information on climbing or the area in general is appreicated. Reply here, or shoot me an email. Thanks!

I am moving back to Houston in April, after living abroad for several years. I will also be looking for climbing partners.

I do not recall any of the gyms being significantly better or worse, as of 2010. Houston is a big city and the gyms are spread widely, so I would probably just start with a google maps search to see which ones are closest to your work place.

The best "nearby" outdoor climbing areas are Enchanted Rock and Reimer's Ranch. There is also some fun deep water soloing to be had at Lake Travis and some limited climbing around the green belt of Austin. I will likely be heading out to these areas on most weekends.

I am also into ice, mixed, and alpine climbing.

Inspire is the newest and probably best gym. Stone moves is a good bouldering gym as well. I dislike nearly everything about TRG. The houston climbing community is nice and welcoming, people get out a lot. The best thing about that town is the airport.

You will be traveling a lot, or giving up climbing on rock. A three-hour drive to the closest crag gets old. I grew up there and it is flat like a pancake without so much as a hill within a hundred miles. I didn't know what a rock was until a went to Colorado. Seriously.
What was said before: "The best thing about Houston is the airport." As in getting out...if you like climbing.

As far as where to live, Inspire gym is nice and Stone Summit isn't a huge distance from it (by Houston standards). So for gym climbing with easy access...Northwest Houston...The Woodlands. But (with all due respect to those that live in that area) it's a cultural wasteland up there.

The Heights is much nicer. But a LONG drive to either of those gyms.

well im used to driving 2-4 hours for good rock, so not a huge issue !Being in CT the only real good rock is NY or NH imo. Though some people like the chosspiles of CT crap rock :)

Welcome to Texas.

There are three rock gyms in Houston, all will serve your practice needs. As mentioned above there is good rock climbing just west of the city of Austin. Further west of Austin, in the Hill Country, there is world-class bouldering and some really good DWS, easily accessible over a three-day weekend from Houston.

There are the Hueco Tanks near El Paso, huge walls near and along the Rio Grande River, and world-class walls in Northern Mexico for a week long trip.

In all of the above areas you'll find close-by motels, B&B's, and many camping areas. And, you will be living in a part of the world where the people are friendly, open, and generous; so feel free to join a local climbing group for partners and beta.

Typo edit: Hueco Tanks near EL PASO

Danbo is right-on with the friendliness of people in the Houston area. Also the head setters at both of the previously mentioned gyms are both super good and super friendly. That's a big plus.
(Just to clarify, I think Danbo meant to say that Hueco Tanks is near El Paso, not Waco.)

thanks for all the good info and emails guys.