Columbia University Rock Climbing Club
The Columbia University Rock Climbing Club was formed in the spring semester of 2003 by friends, Stephen Wang, SEAS '06, and Mark Backman, SEAS '05. The club originally grew out of an email list maintained by the Hiking Club, and later, communities on social networking sites like CampusNetwork and Facebook. The club attracted campus-wide interest.
Following a series of meetings with Director of Intramural and Club Sports, Brian Jines and Associate Athletics Director, Ken Torrey, Mark and Stephen were given the green light to proceed with the club. During the Spring 2006 semester, the club gained recognition from the Club Sports Governing Board. The club was placed on a one semester evaluation during which no funding was provided and was subsequently awarded full status and funding in the Fall 2007 semester.
Following the graduations of Stephen and Mark, Christa Brelsford (SEAS '07), Emily Laskin (BC '07), and Ethan Coon (Ph.D SEAS '08) have taken over all aspects of the Rock Climbing Club, most importantly, maintaining the club's status as "totally sweet".
Students seeking more information can direct their questions to climbing@columbia.edu.
General information
Historically, the rock climbing club has met every Saturday at noon in front of the leather sofas in Lerner Hall. Saturday is generally when new members and interested students travel with club officers to the climbing gym. All skill levels are welcome to participate. The club offers balay instruction as well as assistance with climbing technique.
For those seeking freedom from the confines of a climbing gym, there are many outdoor options available to you. New York City has a tremendous amount of bouldering available (legal!) in Central Park, the majority being midtown and towards the north entrance. For the more adventurous, the Shawangunk Ridge ("The Gunks") is within a reasonable driving distance and features some of the best climbing in the United States.
Competitions
Under the leadership of Christa, Emily, and Ethan, the Rock Climbing Club has participated in a number of area competitions, always providing a strong showing. The club now has an impressive number of top finishes at American Bouldering Series (ABS) competitions, with more than a few Champion titles in both the Men's and Women's categories.
Facilities
The Rock Climbing Club has informally made its home at the City Climbers' Club (59th St./11th Ave) since its inception. Housed in a New York Park and Recreation Center, the gym offers a modest number of top-rope routes as well as a bouldering cave. CCC offers one of the most competitive yearly memberships available in New York City as well as having a very experienced staff and membership. Day passes are available, the price of which includes equipment rental.
Members seeking new scenery have many other rock climbing choices available to them within New York City, as well as within the tri-state area. Many active members of the Rock Climbing club have transitioned to the Manhattan Plaza Health Club, which offers a larger array of bouldering and roped climbs in a larger space.
Local Rock Climbing Gym Guide [as prepared by Ethan Coon, Christa Brelsford, and a little bit by Stephen Wang]
>>City Climber's Club -- ($250 / year, $15 / month, $100 / year with special Columbia Club Climbing deal)
http://www.cityclimbersclub.com/
59th between 10th and 11th in Manhattan
Small gym, but good, friendly people, and a great place to meet climbing partners. Run by climbers, for climbers. A non-profit, so you won't find any cheaper. Great for beginners.
>>Manhattan Plaza Health Club -- ($150 / 3 months for students, $18/day)
43rd between 9th and 10th, Manhattan
Slightly larger gym, tons of good bouldering. Not so sure of the quality of their roped stuff, but the bouldering is great. Better for more advanced climbers.
>>Extra Vertical -- (now defunct)
http://www.extravertical.com/centers_nyc.html
Harmony Atrium 61 West 62nd Street, Manhattan
Large gym with an outdoor faux rock face for egotistical climbers to ascend and impress New Yorkers on the street. Numerous roped routes with a number of traverses; confusing, not well maintained routes. Extra Vertical has closed for business while Lincoln Center is renovating the atrium. There are no plans for a rock climbing facility.
>>Chelsea Piers ($50 per day, $1600 per year, but includes access to an impressive complex of other sporting stuff)
http://www.chelseapiers.com/sc/climbing.htm
23rd and the Hudson River, Manhattan
Huge frickin overhanging wall, some decent bouldering, this is a good place to get really strong. Quoting their website, it's home to "the world's most challenging indoor climbing wall." I guess it could be ridiculously hard in that "over-hanging til you can't hold on any more" kinda way. That said, the people there seem to me to be more the "getting strong" types than the "climbing" types. Not the type of place to go without a climbing partner... That said, this is where the movie stars train for their next flick, so you too can be mad cool (for just a small fee...)
>>The Rock Club ( $200 / 4 months for students, $15 / day)
New Rochelle ( via Car or Metro North, see website for more)
Big place, tons of routes and bouldering. A bit off the beaten path if you don't have a car, though... the Metro North ticket runs at $3.75 one way if you buy it in the station.
>>The Gravity Vault ($189/3 months for students, $14 / day)
North of Paramus on Rt 17
Another big place with tons of great bouldering and routes. One of those places to go when you get rained out of the Gunks...
>>NJ Rock Gym (???)
Never been here, but I hear it's cool.
>>The Cliffs at Valhalla (240/3 mo, 85/1 mo, 16/day) - you might be able to get a student discount if you ask nicely.
http://www.thecliffsclimbing.com
North of White Plains. A short cab ride from the Hawthorne Metro North Station, but they'll refund your cab fare if you come in a group of 3 or more. $7 otherwise.
A comparable amount of bouldering to the Rock Club, but less top-roping, and no leading. The boulder problems were a ton of fun.
