Why is climbing illegal in IN?

I'm headed to Indianapolis next week for work so got curious (it's too cold for me to climb outdoors, and I'll be lucky to have gym time, but I wanted to see what was around, anyways). I saw a couple threads from a few years back talking about getting a coalition together, but it didn't really elaborate what the red tape is. Have you all made any headway there? 

I have a new gratefulness for my local choss.

As far as I know, it’s illegal unless posted otherwise. So basically, illegal. It’s the same for Illinois. Illegal unless decided otherwise. As opposed to legal, unless stated otherwise. But this state sucks for climbing anyway. If you want to get on rock during your stay, devils lake in Wisconsin would be like 6ish hours. Jackson falls Illinois, maybe like 5. And the red also probably like 5. I usually drive slow so I put approximations. 

Nathan Bilthuiswrote:

As far as I know, it’s illegal unless posted otherwise. So basically, illegal. It’s the same for Illinois. Illegal unless decided otherwise. As opposed to legal, unless stated otherwise. But this state sucks for climbing anyway. If you want to get on rock during your stay, devils lake in Wisconsin would be like 6ish hours. Jackson falls Illinois, maybe like 5. And the red also probably like 5. I usually drive slow so I put approximations. 

I mean, I'd go to DL if I was in Wisconsin, but I'm not going to drive 6 hours to do it! I was mostly just curious about the ban and why it is the way it is, and if the local coalition had made any progress. Land managers suck everywhere, I suppose!

To be honest, I truly think devils lake should be on the list of any climber who wishes to see as much as possible. Obviously if you’re in Wisconsin, you’ve probably been. But I would say it’s worth a stop if you’re in this part of the country. Very unique, and, in my opinion, actually world class single pitch trad. Some will agree, some won’t. Oh well. And of course the obligatory, get out while you can. It’s sucks here. But it’s dirt cheap to live.

IN does not have an LCO - that might be part of the problem.

If you've only got a few weeks, check out the gyms: Epic if you're in the south and Hoosier Heights if you're north of downtown. If there's a good weather weekend in there, the Red is only 4 hours away and definitely worth the drive. You will only want to drive up to WI anytime in the next month or so if you're looking to get on ice, which is currently in great shape all over southern WI, except maybe for Devil's Lake. Your nearest high quality ice right now is at Starved Rock, in IL, but that will almost certainly not survive the rest of the month. If you're in Indy for like a year, I would definitely recommend a visit to DL.

I'm actually only there for 4 days! I am going to try to get in one day at least at Epic. Thanks for the ice beta - I had to give it up, sadly. Reynaud's has just gotten too bad and here in CO sunny rock climbing is available 12 months out of the year. Hopefully work sends me on a long assignment to WI when it warms up a bit.

Because it might lead to dancing.

And now Beth has exceeded her post limit, in case you were having a conversation with her.

3h drive and some change to the red from Indianapolis is actually not that bad. not sure there's any rock in Indiana worth climbing anyway. 

There are a couple of weird bolted bridges around! Otherwise, southern Illinois or the red are the moves. North mass Boulder is a sweet new gym. Not stoked on all the negativity from the above.. Indiana can be awesome! Grew up there.. couldn’t live there anymore having experienced other places, but always happy to come back and visit

Kara Beerwrote:

There are a couple of weird bolted bridges around! Otherwise, southern Illinois or the red are the moves. North mass Boulder is a sweet new gym. Not stoked on all the negativity from the above.. Indiana can be awesome! Grew up there.. couldn’t live there anymore having experienced other places, but always happy to come back and visit

Oh interesting thing about the bridges! I haven't gotten over to NMB - I have an aftermarket ACL so a little wary of bouldering. Did go to Hoosier Heights on Wednesday and it was fine, probably I'll go to Epic if I get sent back to Indy soon (looks likely to be a medium-term post for me). I liked the city just fine, but didn't get out much -- basically I'm commuting between there and Colorado (a lot of other obligations here so have to keep traveling back), so it doesn't leave much time for exploring. 

Folks in IN are very polite and I find the city quite easy to get around in -- there isn't doodly-squat for hotels near my worksite (Butler) but the commutes are negligible! Bummed to be losing my altitude acclimatization, stoked on the oxygen and humidity, though. My sinuses and skin are straight-up loving it. Coworker was showing me photos of his property near Bloomington and I wish I could enjoy more of this lovely state! Maybe later this spring, and I can take some weekend trips to the Red.

My only two annoyances are the speed limit, and that I haven't been able to get reservations at Restaurant Hinata. Oh and my work schedule has kept me out of the Vonnegut Museum.