Flag on Weaver's??

Unregistered · Post by **Unregistered** » Nov 09 2002 9:03 pm

Anyone else notice the American flag on top of Weaver's Needle? Pretty neat. We went out to the tip of the outlook today and noticed something fluttering up there. Glad I had the binos in my pack.

That took some major major 'nads... must have been a pretty hairy climb!

arizonaheat · Post by **arizonaheat** » Nov 21 2002 5:14 pm

If you get a chance let me know when you are going to be at the Red Mountain Facility sometime. It would be nice meeting u guys. That is where I go work out.

In regards to the rock wall, they did revamp part of it very recently.

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Nov 22 2002 12:27 pm

arizonaheat wrote:If you get a chance let me know when you are going to be at the Red Mountain Facility sometime. It would be nice meeting u guys. That is where I go work out.

In regards to the rock wall, they did revamp part of it very recently.

I saw that wall and I didn't think anything about it was very challenging at all. Big bomber holds and just one small overhang. Boring.

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Nov 22 2002 1:08 pm

The trick with indoor climbing is to not use the easy holds and make the climb as hard as you like. When I use to climb indoors we'd mark a route with chalk or colored tape, and you could only use the holds that are maked.
Other indoor wall tricks, to make it more interesting, climb blindfolded, do not use your feet, speed climbing...

Fritzski · Post by **Fritzski** » Nov 22 2002 6:30 pm

In my opinion RMGC has a lot of potential and some good points - its cheap, uncrowded, and virtually all gear is provided free (shoes $1) which is great if you're taking a group of kids or the like.

The biggest problem is the way they set their routes. I believe its done mainly by the teenage staff that knows little or nothing about it and I suspect this is probably the norm for "community center" facilities like this. The routes are color coded and easy to discern, but the practical application of climbing them is another story. A few of the routes are so difficult that no one can do them (was told by one staffer hes never seen anybody get past halfway) so there's a waste of wall space and holds. Some, like Olesma mentioned, are super easy, but at least beginners or small children can get off on them. One route is a ludicrous line of wafer thin holds going virtually straight up in a line unlike any route you would ever naturally encounter - another waste. To be fair I did find a couple routes that were both challenging and enjoyable.

The shame is that I guess it would be no problem at all for them to make a call or two and they could line up some experienced climbers who would gladly volunteer their time to come over and set some descent lines. That will never happen without some prodding from us customers.

Got a chance to climb on the new Freestone wall and its pretty trick. All faux stone with auto-belay machines so you can go by yourself. Must have cost a veritable fortune - my tax dollars - at least being put to good use for a change

. There are no specific routes, but plenty of challenge in massive overhang problems if you so choose. No shoe rental, but you really don't need them since very few holds are thin, most are big bombers, but still pumpers if you choose an overhanging route. Its definitely different, but I really enjoyed it and will be back.