What to look for in an indoor climbing center

[amaliedageek]

I've been doing Pilates Reformer at least four times a week for the last six months; a change in focus on the part of the studio has left me looking for a new challenge. My son and his friends have been bouldering and top-rope climbing since middle school and have been trying to get me on the wall for years; I have some issues to work through (a friend died while free-climbing in the canyons not far from here), but 20+ years is doubtless long enough to let the fear have its way.

I would welcome the community's suggestions: what would recommend a place to you, or send you screaming for the exits?

Comments

[rydra_wong]

Seconding what multiple people have said re: diversity of climbers -- if you see people of a wide range of ages and genders climbing, if you see climbers with disabilities, it's a very very good sign.

And it tends to mean that the route-setting has to be more creative, because it can't just be "power" routes; you have to set routes that reward technique and balance and flexibility and imagination too.