Reading Rocks

Great place for climbing — decided to go here over Spooky Nook (even though it’s ~20 minutes farther away for us) because the walls look more real/​natural and because their entire focus is climbing. My wife and I had a bit of climbing experience at Sportrock in Virginia and wanted to get back into climbing for the exercise and challenge. We haven’t tried the bouldering yet, but the top roping has lots of challenging routes with solid markings. They also have some very realistic looking «mountains» where you can plot your own route — the difficulty is rated by which rope you use (limiting what wall features you have access to). We were used to Sportrock’s belay system where you would bring your own belay device, but here they have ATCs already hooked into the rope that you clip into (also using their freely provided twist-​lock carabiners). Belaying is easier and safer here — the rope is double wrapped at the top so the descent is much smoother and slower. Routes are labeled by color, the lighter the color the easier the route. I may be wrong, but I think all the walls are about the same height, higher than the shorter size walls we would do at Sportrock but shorter than their taller walls. It’s a good distance, not overly tiring and not overly scary :) It may be because we’ve limited ourselves to the 5.6÷5.7 routes, but the routes seem more narrow than what we’re used to. Also, instead of floor mats they have some soft shredded material filling the climbing area (except for bouldering areas which do have mats in addition).
As others have mentioned, very friendly and helpful staff; we were back up to speed and climbing in just a few minutes.
We went today (a Sunday) and it wasn’t overly crowded, always had plenty of space and go to try out lots of routes. Looking forward to going back now that we’re members! I’m told they take groups out for learning outdoor climbing as well if that’s something you’re interested in trying.

This place is a lot of fun! The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Reading Rocks offers various levels for all climbers, from simple and easy to stretch to your limits tough.
I had gone with a group of friends, (We found going in even numbers works best) We received a discount for our group size, and since there was an even number of us, we could all pair up and take turns climbing and assisting the one climbing.
It was a good price for the time we spent, we actually left before our time was up, cause we were all sore, it’s a great workout that’s for sure!
It was a blast and we will all return again!

If your ego has bloated to the point where you have perpeutal neck pain, this is the place for you. Reading Rocks will humble you. It will pain you. It will conquer you.
It’s been years since I was at Reading Rocks… last time I was there, they were located next to The Works. I am as amateur as climbers can get, and there may be bigger and better, but thier new location on George Street is very impressive. The climbing areas consist of one wall of relatively flat climbs, with taped hand holds indicating the difficlty of each climbing route. The backwall will offer a series of angled/​cantalevered walls, where you must climb off-​pitch, around angles, and of course, eventually to the point where you are hanging upside down. The far wall– and the «island» in the middle– are made of faux-​rock composite that forces the climber to face the reality of real-​rock geometry, texture, and shape, with fewer installed hand holds. Ground-​up tire shreds provide the soft landing on the ground.
Upon arrival, the staff will suit you up with a harness ($ 3), teach you bellaying (sp?) technique, and stay with you until they are confident in your ability to safely lower your partner to the ground. Once you are deemed confident, you are on your own. A day pass for unlimited climbing is $ 12; other rentals (shooes, chalk, etc.) are available. Both times I’ve been there, the staff has been friendly, helpful, knowledgable, andyes, safety-​oriented.
They do also like to host groups, for team building; they help Boy Scouts with various badges; and, they do nights for advanced climbers– last Thursday they offered a «lights out» climb, where all that was allowed was headlamps; even the vending machine and bathrooms were blacked out! Cool!
Attire? Long pants and T’s are the climbing fashion. I found out why; two skinned knees from a roughly-​textured wall will serve as a reminder!
In case you haven’t climbed for awhile, prepare to feel muslces that nature had long forgotten. Follow the white tape routes and you have chance to reach the roof; limit yourself to more difficult colors, and the holds get smaller, and are placed at more difficult intervals. Bottom line: you will feel the pain, and you will fall off. You will shake, you will burn, you will fall. Even those who show up with their own harnesses, shoes, gear, etc. fall also. It is inevitable. These walls will win.
Reading Rocks has thrown down the gauntlet to those who love an adventure, even if it is indoors. So, watch Stallone in «Cliffhanger», thump your chest, and get your chalk on!