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| - At the time of this review I'll have been going to Boulders about twice a week for 5 months or so. For the most part, I like it a lot.
I started by taking the climbing 101 class (a great deal by the way) which was really fun. My instructor was knowledgable and encouraging, and I'd definitely recommend the class as a great way to learn climbing basics and meet people near your skill level.
Other positive observations:
- The staff is helpful and courteous, and has always responded quickly when I've pointed out something like a loose hold.
- The people that frequent the gym are friendly, at least all the ones I've interacted with.
- The routes are wide ranging in difficulty from simple to very difficult, so almost anyone can get involved.
- Both the bouldering and rope routes are interesting and challenging, more so than I've seen at other gyms.
- The routes change often enough that even going twice a week I don't have to wait long for something new to try.
That said, here's why I'm not going with a full 5 stars.
Not always, but sometimes the chalk in the air is quite thick. They have an air filter for the chalk, but it always looks overwhelmed. So I wonder if the air quality wouldn't benefit from either changing the air filters more often or getting a companion filter on the other side of the building.
When I was trying to buy my first pair of climbing shoes I decided to give Boulders the business. I wear size a size 13 and wasn't surprised when they didn't have any in stock. I was initially told that my shoes would probably arrive in a couple weeks, but after waiting three weeks and checking in with the staff, I learned that they hadn't even been ordered yet. I got them elsewhere and it was fine, but I feel like certain aspects of the business might be a little disorganized for something like that to happen.
Or maybe it was a fluke. Either way if you like climbing or want to start liking it you should give Boulders a go.
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