Top 10 Best US Large Cities For Climbing

Right, let's not forget we're talking about climbing here.

M Rwrote:

How about LV and SLC? Do they have significant areas that are walkable?

SLC definitely. 

Everywhere is walkable if you have time. 

Berkeley is good for bouldering because most stuff is in walking distance and has very easy access. There’s also a couple cliffs in Berkeley that have easy stuff with a couple .11+ and tons of moderates. Berkeley also has a lot of diverse rock types.

Marc801 Cwrote:

SLC definitely. 

Avenues? University? 9th & 9th? Sugar house? You’re from Sandy, my impression is that Sandy is not so pedestrian friendly, not sure—great LCC access though  

I also must say that SLC is underrated as a bike city.

Like most US cities now the homeless camps have gone up in SLC.

I do love SLC. Spend about a month there yearly, mostly in the winter. 

This is where I disagree with putting Boise in the big city category. That metro area is 60 miles west, and about 40 miles east from here, including all the other towns and cities, one of which is in Oregon, lol! Unlike the SLC area, there's still lots of sagebrush out there, it's not all filled in yet. There's only one freeway, and a short connector to even get that freeway into the core.

That said, Boise proper is not all that big, and pretty bikable....except for that snow thing that happens. From downtown, it's a straight shot to the local climbing, on a paved bike path, even. 

No transit, except for a rather bad local bus system, so a car makes life a lot easier. But, it's totally doable to walk or bike rather a lot. I went without a car for five years, including Snowmageddon and the flood years. 

Walkability and bikability only speak to quality of life. Not climbing. Climbers need cars, or, need to bum rides or be crazy cyclists. I met one, a crazy fit bikepack with bike trailer dirtbag. He was on an open ended two year (or more) climbing/cycling trip. I met him here in Boise, to climb, and we bought him dinner and gave him a ride to his couchsurf. He was in between Smith Rocks and COR. Then headed "south".

"South"?

Was perhaps going to be Patagonia. About as far south as it gets, without swimming with the penguins! He hadn't decided yet. 

:-)

Kevin Worrallwrote:There’s even sandstone bouldering on the beach - not great, but it can be fun and the sand/moisture/sloper factor makes for a good pump!

Beach bouldering is the best!! Also the gyms here in San Diego are super nice.

Just stumbled across this post and I have to agree with JM 

Once you look past the main street of Reno it is a beautiful climbing area and cheaper then most areas. 

Trent Snyderwrote:

Just stumbled across this post and I have to agree with JM 

Once you look past the main street of Reno it is a beautiful climbing area and cheaper then most areas. 

Wrong!! We have established through dozens of similar threads, over the last few months that the ideal climbing city that is ideal for all climbers to move to is Cleveland, OH.

Not Not MP Adminwrote:

Wrong!! We have established through dozens of similar threads, over the last few months that the ideal climbing city that is ideal for all climbers to move to is Cleveland, OH.

Nah dude, definitely Dallas.

J T wrote:

How many MP threads do you have to support this claim? I’ll wait

In seriousness, I had not realized there were actual threads that had discussed Cleveland as a locale and my ability to search MP is limited at the moment, mind sharing the link?

J T wrote:

They’ll likely need a car for Denver and Seattle too

They'll likely need a car for ANY city they live in if they want to get to the climbing . . . .

Chad Millerwrote:

They'll likely need a car for ANY city they live in if they want to get to the climbing . . . .

Not Cleveland! Cause there ain’t no climbing

JK, of course. Chippewa Creek/Brecksville is actually quite quality for the 30-45 cumulative days of the year it has good weather. Anywhere else, like the NRG or RRG and they’ll need a friend (with a car) anyways 

J T wrote:

They’ll likely need a car for Denver and Seattle too

Only kinda true, you can go to the most popular crag in Washington via bus easily. You guys also shouldn’t discount car rental options.

Princess Puppy Lovrwrote:

Only kinda true, you can go to the most popular crag in Washington via bus easily.

But how would they get to your ultra classic choss pile crags?!

 You guys also shouldn’t discount car rental options.

If we are counting rental car options then every podunk town in the US is basically a feasible option ya nerd 

JP Bekkerwrote:

In seriousness, I had not realized there were actual threads that had discussed Cleveland as a locale and my ability to search MP is limited at the moment, mind sharing the link?

Yes, I mind 

Princess Puppy Lovrwrote:

Only kinda true, you can go to the most popular crag in Washington via bus easily. You guys also shouldn’t discount car rental options.

The most popular crag in Washington you say!?  Well damn, sign me up.  Oh wait . . . .

Not Not MP Adminwrote:

But how would they get to your ultra classic choss pile crags?!

If we are counting rental car options then every podunk town in the US is basically a feasible option ya nerd 

I have never claimed to bolt anything classic.

Apparently you’re not in a city because you don’t see short term tech car rentals (I’m talking like 45 min rentals). You rent a car with an app.

Princess Puppy Lovrwrote:

I have never claimed to bolt anything classic.

Idk man. Sure feels like you have. You have said many times that you bolt choss. You have also said many times choss is is fun. Ergo, you have claimed to bolt classics. 

Apparently you’re not in a city because you don’t see short term tech car rentals (I’m talking like 45 min rentals). You rent a car with an app.

Or I just own my own vehicle and have had no reason to rent…? I do rent those badass Lime scooters (with an app) when I go out drinkin’ though! Not sure if they feel fast cause everything is spinning when I use them but they sure are fun!