In an Effort to be More Exciting: Climbing in NYC

My senior year of college I needed additional elective credits so I decided to take an "outdoor learning" class. Basically we sea kayaked, white water rafted, did high ropes courses, and learned how to rock climb. After that class I really didn't use any of what I had learned until about 3 years ago when I met a certain special guy who was also into climbing. This past year in particular it has become one of my favorite "outdoorsy" activities. Its also probably one of the reasons I've become so obsessed with the Breakneck Ridge trail.. it gives you a bit of grappling without needing an expensive fall pad.

In North Carolina, climbing was no big deal. I could just head to Inner Peaks or my personal favorite the US National Whitewater Center and for pretty cheap could climb as much as I wanted. Fast forward to NYC... climbing has become a bit more difficult. Not only am I short on climbing buddies but it's EXPENSIVE! This past week I went to Brooklyn Boulders twice, and even though I had a fantastic time.. I spent a total of $41 dollars (totally worth it though). I've scoured the internet for cheaper alternatives... but unless you have friends with equipment, a fall pad for bouldering, or a decent salary for a climbing gym membership... it can be fairly challenging to keep up.

The good thing about the day passes at BB is that you don't just have access to climbing. They also have Yoga classes (for just a few dollars if you've purchased a day pass), free weights, a slack line, as well as a whole section devoted to strengthening with a whole wall of finger grips! This place is also massive! You definitely get what you pay for.. which is SPACE! A close to extinct commodity here in the city.

Hmmm definitely a challenge, but while I brainstorm alternatives... I'm going to keep climbing!