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Climbers in Grand Rapids, Michigan?

Original Post
tombanjo · · Prague, Czech Republic · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 5

Hi all,

Moving to Grand Rapids and interested in what the climbing scene is like there. I see that there is at least one gym - curious about any info anyone has. I know there's not a lot of climbing in the LP but interested to meet folks and get out climbing!

Zabadoo · · Grand Rapids, MI · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 15

There are definitely climbers in Grand Rapids. I live closer to the gym "Inside Moves" and have met plenty of friendly people there. In fact I'm going on my first "big" trip with folks I met there.

Depending on where in Grand Rapids you live, you can be as close as 40 min away from Grand Ledge (not super close but it could be worse).

FoamFinger _______ · · Rad Town, Not set (USA) · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 250

Partner, prepare to be underwhelmed. GR doesn't have much, but it does have a bit. There are two gyms on opposite ends of town, and perhaps on opposite ends of the spectrum. Higher Ground is the older, smaller of the two that is generally more bouldering-centric. The place is owned by an old windbag named Frank Abissi, pray to god that you never get cornered into a conversation by this guy as he's his own special brand of hard work.
The other gym in town is Inside Moves. Haven't spent a lot of time there but from what I could see it's pretty much your run of the mill indoor climbing gym. Plenty of Top-roping and a decent amount of bouldering.
There is a tiny bit of actual rock climbing in Grand Ledge just outside of Lansing, MI and it's all on Sandstone next to a river. Nothing higher than 50-60 feet on a good day. There is a decent selection though with some trad, sport (I think?), and TR options.
If you're moving to MI you'd better take up Ice climbing if you haven't already because that's really the only kind of climbing that MI has in abundance.
Good luck. you're gonna need it!

Donovan Allen · · Soft Lake City · Joined May 2012 · Points: 356

Yo Tom, welcome to the mitten. As stated Grand Ledge will be your only lower peninsula climbing on real rock. It's TR only as the sandstone is particularly soft and seeps(please don't lead anything). Bring long webbing for anchors. I live over in metro Detroit and have a circuit of parking garage cracks I climb. Get creative. Expansion joints make great splitters(even horizontal roof cracks) and are found in many parking garages.

Bill Thompson · · Marquette, MI · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 245

Head north to find what you seek!

Silver Mountain

Donovan Allen · · Soft Lake City · Joined May 2012 · Points: 356

Bill is this in the UP? Looking to do some climbing up north once it all warms up.

Zabadoo · · Grand Rapids, MI · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 15
Bill Thompson wrote:Head north to find what you seek!
Never been to the UP (Upper Penninsula) for climbing (might be worth the trip...) I can never get over the hump that there are several places closer, ie. Devil's Lake, Jackson falls and RRG.
ben jammin · · Moab, UT · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 852

Ahhh, good ol' GR. Taking me back. When I lived in GR (I went to GVSU) we would drive down to the Red every weekend in the spring and fall. Back in the day when gas was a buck.90 filling up the van with college kids driving through the night on Friday and coming back Sunday evening. Those were the days.. (ha, I'm not really that old)

I guess the moral of the story is the closest and best rock is 8 hours away. I never did go to SoIll though. Sounds like that is a bit closer anyhow.

Bill Thompson · · Marquette, MI · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 245

Yep U.P. for sure. Silver Mountain is in Baraga and is one of many crags in the Upper Peninsula that offer great climbing, no crowds, and wilderness camping.

Silver Mountain

tombanjo · · Prague, Czech Republic · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 5

Thanks for all the replies! I'll have to check out some of the suggestions. I knew moving out here that options were slim but that's not a big deal to me. Not a problem to travel for some good rock - glad to hear there are some climbers out here. Thanks again!

Charlie Hall · · Grand Rapids · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 55

There are plenty of climbers in GR. The places to climb are what's limited. If you're into bouldering there are a couple people who have home bouldering walls that rival the size and quality of the commercial gyms. Also if you're willing to drive 35 minutes or so, there is a great bouldering gym in Holland. If bouldering IS what you seek and you don't want to hit the commercial gyms, shoot me a private message and I can give you more info, if not, enjoy the gyms and know that during the fall season, trips are happening almost every weekend to the Red, SoiLL and Devils Lake.

TSluiter · · Holland, VT · Joined May 2013 · Points: 314
Charlie Hall wrote: there is a great bouldering gym in Holland. .
No way, wow. I'm a Holland native, wouldn't have figured there was something there. Guess I gotta check it out when I return home... if I return home?

Grand Ledge is all there is, I think TR is the ethic there, I'm not sure they have ANY bolts and I don't know if you can place gear in the sandstone. It's right next to a river, bugs galore. Good people though, the few times I've been there.

Other than that, you will have to travel. And travel you will.
Noel.Kantz · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2015 · Points: 0

Someone mentioned the Red being the closest and best locale for climbing, but there are definitely other options just as far or even closer that I personally prefer. If you have a passport there is some nice bouldering about 5 and half hours away near Niagara Falls in Canada, along with some nice bouldering and sport climbing in the Georgian Bay about 8 hours away. Halfway Log Dump has been one of my favorite places to climb, but it is immediately off the bay and therefore difficult to climb with high water levels. It is super gorgeous though. Devil's Lake is also an option if you like the granite touch.

If traveling long distance is out of the question, I'd recommend the bouldering gym in Holland. It is my favorite of the three in the area, but the others are worth a visit as well.

TSluiter · · Holland, VT · Joined May 2013 · Points: 314

Lion's Head in Ontario is great as well.

Kyle Heys · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2016 · Points: 5
Grand Rapids Boulder Project logo

The Grand Rapids Boulder Project is currently working to build a few outdoor boulders in Grand Rapids, MI. Check us out at facebook.com/grboulderproject and join the push to build this project.
Madeline Farmer · · Oakland, California · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

There will be another gym opening up in the Grand Rapids area this year as well. I believe sometime in late 2017:
climbterrafirma.com/

Zabadoo · · Grand Rapids, MI · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 15
tombanjo wrote: Thanks for all the replies! I'll have to check out some of the suggestions. I knew moving out here that options were slim but that's not a big deal to me. Not a problem to travel for some good rock - glad to hear there are some climbers out here. Thanks again!

Its been some time since the OP.  How is Grand Rapids treating you?  Have you found your peeps?  Did you pick your gym (they are now both owned by the same company)?

Hope GR is treating you well.  Send me a PM if you're interested in climbing.

Frank Abissi · · Grand Rapids, MI · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 13
FoamFinger _______ wrote: Partner, prepare to be underwhelmed. GR doesn't have much, but it does have a bit. There are two gyms on opposite ends of town, and perhaps on opposite ends of the spectrum. Higher Ground is the older, smaller of the two that is generally more bouldering-centric. The place is owned by an old windbag named Frank Abissi, pray to god that you never get cornered into a conversation by this guy as he's his own special brand of hard work. The other gym in town is Inside Moves. Haven't spent a lot of time there but from what I could see it's pretty much your run of the mill indoor climbing gym. Plenty of Top-roping and a decent amount of bouldering. There is a tiny bit of actual rock climbing in Grand Ledge just outside of Lansing, MI and it's all on Sandstone next to a river. Nothing higher than 50-60 feet on a good day. There is a decent selection though with some trad, sport (I think?), and TR options. If you're moving to MI you'd better take up Ice climbing if you haven't already because that's really the only kind of climbing that MI has in abundance. Good luck. you're gonna need it!
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Midwest
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