Earth Treks Climbing Centers Timonium

A lot of fun! It’s a bit pricey for a first time visit. I was a member of the Columbia gym before, but changed memberships recently due to convenience. This gym seems like they more inclined walls in the bouldering section. All the climbs seem to be very close together and a bit cluttered in comparison to the Columbia location. They have a pretty good mixture of the different levels so beginners and experts can all share the same space :)
They have a lot of belaying space, however not much variety in the terrain compared to Columbia gym. The actual work out gym seems to be about the same between the two. I do like the fact that Timonium has several working ellipticals and stairs.
Both gyms are a ton of fun! Definitely planning on keeping my membership with earth treks whether it be in Columbia or Timonium. There are other locations in DC as well.
An awesome work out! And a good challenge for all body types and work out groups :) it hits arms, legs, and core. HA. They also provide classes for member and non members for yoga, core, and other climbing classes.
Check ‘em out! The staff in both locations are great!

My friend found a livingsocial deal and we purchased it… we are trying to find new ways of being active… we arrived and were in a 3-​hour intro to climbing class with people who were there for date night or just to try something new. Our instructors were really upbeat and informative, they taught us all of the safety rules and how to knot our ropes. We had a whole section to climb and learn before heading downstairs to the taller walls with all of the experienced people. That part was a little overwhelming, but all in all, I was able to climb several walls and it was a challenge for my body. I’m undecided on whether I would go back or not, just not really my thing, although it was great to try something new!

A great climbing facility. Took an intro to climbing course and was very pleased with the friendly and knowledgable staff — it now sees me up for independent climbing. (Had I been able to show them I could belay /​tie knots, I wouldn’t need the Intro class…)
The facility was well attended with amateurs, kids, and experts climbing. Altogether a great day on the walls!

Addicted. Last Thursday I took the Intro to Climbing class– which is such a great deal. $ 79 for the intro class, the intro to movement class and 15 days of climbing. AND they’re doing a BOGO deal with that so it was half that price, split between me and a friend. We’ve been three times in four days. I’d go again tomorrow if I wasn’t so sore. I’m absolutely hooked and can’t wait to take the next class and join as a full member. I love that there’s something for everyone and there are several levels to aspire to so no matter what there’s always something you can do. Rope climbing, sport climbing, bouldering, it’s all there. I’m the kind of person who hates going to the gym and just lifting weights or running on the dreadmill. I need something I enjoy that will keep me active and motivate me to keep up with it. Climbing is definitely it. Earth Treks has such an awesome community vibe and I still can’t get over how friendly EVERYONE is, staff and members alike. If you’re thinking about going whether just for fun or to make a go at climbing — do it.

My boyfriend and I came here while on a weekend trip to Baltimore and we had so much fun trying out allllll the bouldering problems! When we first got here on a Saturday afternoon, we were overwhelmed by the sheer number of kids running around without adult supervision trying to hop on all of the routes without paying attention to other climbers in the slightest. Luckily, those kids weren’t a permanent installation here and I don’t think it was the fault of anyone working at Earth Treks Timonium that they temporarily took over the bouldering section. We adored the route setting and found it varied and creative. We especially enjoyed a V6 that utilized dramatic stalactite-​type holds. The atmosphere here was collaborative and friendly– everyone was cheering each other on, which was really rad.
I just wish that this gym was a little better maintained. The walls were straight up dirty and the holds were pretty well-​worn, especially the ones on the warmup V0 routes. The first intro route in the gym was pretty unpleasant because those holds were downright glassy and even a bit sharp on the edges. It was a shame to see a newer gym already starting to show signs of poor upkeep. The tape and route labeling was similarly shabby. Sometimes the biggest challenge was just figuring out what exactly was going on with some of the routes that were missing tape.
We didn’t get to try the rope climbing, but it looked awesome. My boyfriend nearly cried with joy when he saw the comprehensive, well thought-​out training facilities– free weights, campus rungs of various sizes and angles, and a large system board with adjustable angles. The facility clearly caters to any climber’s unique training needs and goals. I wish we had a gym like this in Philly!

I needed guidance for a strange work project that required climbing knowledge, of which I have none. Elise was incredibly helpful, far beyond my expectations. It’s obvious that she cares about what she does, without being condescending at all, even though my task was unusual and I was clueless. Patience and dedication like that is a real asset EarthTreks is lucky to have!

Disappointed with my experience. My friend who met with me there to climb was denied a belay course when we first arrived. Was told she needed experience, yet isn’t that what the belay course is for? I was able to belay for her, but unable to climb the walls myself, yet paid the full price. The gentleman who did my belay check was a bit condescending. Not sure I’d go back.

This place is awesome. Staff are very friendly and eager to help. One of the best places to come and take out your stresses from the week out on the wall. Would definately recommend everyone come give it a try. They have different climbing walls for ever skill level.

Really love this place; I come every Sunday and any other times my belay partner & I can squeeze in. I have a climbing wall at my school but ET has so much more in terms of route variety and they (staff AND patrons) are super friendly here, too. Always helping and saying hi, and even when the staff are off duty and climbing for fun, they will still give you tips if you ask! John, Justin, & Brian are all wonderful!
They offer regular training classes too (core, yoga, footwork, etc) for a variety of techniques, and trips to climb different spots, and have an exercise room for off days, big bouldering cave, and their routes are really well maintained! Love it here, very glad we found it.

Went for a 6 year old birthday party. Instructors were excellent with the kids. My son was very scared the first time, but Leah kept encouraging him and we got him to keep trying and he got higher and higher and finally made the top. Cannot thank her enough for making my son’s day by helping him reach the top. He was so proud of himself and I of him, and couldn’t have done it without her. Facilities were super clean, everyone was super nice and helpful, would recommend a thousand times over. Thanks again to all the staff, especially Leah, she helped my son overcome his fear and that is immeasurable.

Great place, friendly staff. But if you’re coming from points south, do yourself a favor and try the Columbia location. It’s bigger and I thought Columbia had a much better variety for beginner-​moderate climbers. The day pass fee here is the same but I felt like it wasn’t as good a deal for the options it offered.

Awesome people work here in Timonium. The staff is friendly, helpful, and attentive. The people that come to the gym are awesome too — good vibe and you can pretty much gel with anyone. In regards to the routes, the bouldering cave is the smallest of the three MD gyms, with starter routes (V0-​V3) on the less frequent side compared to tougher climbs. Still a great place to come challenge yourself.

My wife and I joined a few months ago and bought the annual membership. We find it worth the cash outlay particularly since we go several times a week. My guess is that if you are hard up for funds or don’t find climbing all that interesting, it might seem steep to people. But given the other choices (the «Y», School Sponsored Walls, etc) — the facilities are nice. They also sell quite a bit gear up front near the entrance. We didn’t take the beginner courses, but we did take intro to movement which had an immediate impact on our level of climbing. They also have walls upstairs which are shorter and used mainly for classes, but they are generally empty during weeknights so you can always get on the wall pretty quickly if that is what you want to do.
This gym also has some basic «regular» gym equipment like treadmills, elliptical, row machines, a handful of weight machines, free weights etc. It is really basic, but during weeknights and even on the weekends, the equipment is used sparingly, so if you want a place to do some weight lifting or some cardio, you can basically count on being able to use it as much as you want.
The staff are all friendly, and the patrons tend to be also quite friendly and helpful. Although a few regulars are a little uppity about climbing which can be pretty grating. But I don’t think you can fault the gym for that. I highly recommend it for people who want a workout that is fun to do with one or more friends/​significant other that has the added benefit of getting a workout in.

If you’re a climber or interested in trying it out, Earth Treks is a great place to start. At a basic level, they have great setters, plenty of top roes and lead ropes, and an expansive boulder cave in addition to a gym for working out. Upstairs features the kids section and strength training areas while down below are climbers of all skill levels and ages. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. If you’re lucky, in the off season, you may catch sight of or meet some famous names in climbing.
ET recently raised its price by a few dollars but students still receive discounts and members get free guest passes.
I’ve never taken advantage of the classes there but I know they offer lessons and outdoor trips. They also sell everything one needs to start climbing-​harness, shoes, clothes, chalk, etc.
Great place!

Been climbing at Earth Treks for four years now, dont know what i would do if i didn’t have this gym. I feel spoiled to have such an amazing facility to climb and work out in. Cant wait to try the new golden location.

The only indoor climbing I had done was bouldering a couple of times with my boyfriend at a relatively small gym on Oahu. On my quick trip to Baltimore, my sister and her husband took me top roping at this Earth Treks location. Upon our arrival, I was amazed to see the store on the way to desk, the iPads for the «paperwork,» and the many many many walls available for top roping (but not so much for bouldering). This was my first time top roping, but I was glad to have bouldered a couple of times to get used to the handholds and footholds. I had so much fun climbing the top roping sections, mainly focused on the 5.5 and 5.6 routes with a 5.7 thrown in. I got my fill of climbing with a top rope, and I would’ve loved to stay longer. Left feeling good and happy, as well as sad that there is nothing like this in Oahu! Would much rather go top roping with the boyfriend rather than bouldering. Until next time!

I finally accepted my friend’s invitation to climb here. I haven’t climbed almost 30 years (gosh must have been like a baby then-​work with me). Add the fact that I consider myself to be somewhat lazy, had pretty low expectations. I borrowed my friend’s spare gear and she marched me out to the wall. Hahahahaha. No way. Thankfully, she brought me upstairs to where the little kids learn. I conquered! In your face 5 year olds.
Once I got the hang of it we went down to the big kids wall. I liked how they had routes you could follow — but being a shopper I went home, bought my own harness, and haven’t been back. I’m going to wait until the weather gets colder. I’m an outdoor girl but am not ready to climb outside.

I’m just getting started, but this is a great place to come for a workout mid-​day, or at least that’s my plan since I work a mile down the road! The staff are helpful and friendly and there are a large number of climbs so even when it’s busy you can get a spot on the wall.
Showers in the locker room mean you don’t have to go home (or back to work) stinky, and the workout room is a nice bonus so you don’t have to maintain another gym membership simultaneously. The place is clean /​well maintained and a lot of fun !

I’m addicted. This is what is so great about the place: you get a great work out, vicariously as you have a blast. there’s so many new levels and challenges that you never get bored. At first your happy just to make it up the wall. you start on short walls upstairs, then move to the tall walls downstairs. Then you start doing harder routes, then maybe you tackle some bouldering. then you take an outdoor course, or start lead climbing.
The staff there is awesome and helpful. My only criticism would be that it’s a little daunting getting started. there’s a seperate website to help you called climbfind, without which i might haven given up before I ever really got started. you need a partner, and my wife just isn’t that into it. But now, sometimes i just want to boulder, but I have so many top tope partners loking for a belay, i always end up back on the tall walls.

NOTE: This review is for the Timonium gym, NOT the Columbia gym.
Annoyances:
Bouldering is really neglected here. I do not top-​rope or sport climb or anything, just boulder. The tape falls off the routes and no one fixes it for weeks. And the routes often stay up for over 2 months. Far too often one or two or three walls are blocked off for route setting — setting shouldn’t take more than a few hours, like at most gyms I’ve been to, but here it seems to take days or even a week.
Bouldering:
The bouldering itself is not interesting or innovative or particularly challenging, at least on the V3-​V5 routes I climb. The V-​ratings seem partly random, for example there will be a V4 that I fly up followed by a V2 that is completely imposible.
Cost:
My friends can’t come because I get so few guest passes and it’s ridiculously expensive for a day pass & shoe rental. It’s the most expensive climbing gym I’ve ever been to, with mediocre bouldering, no towel service, no yoga classes, really nothing special for the extra money. When bouldering was closed or partly-​closed for the 2 weeks before the comp, did I get a reimbursement? A free multi-​gym pass for the week? No. Nothing.
Guests:
As I mentioned above, you get 2 guest passes every 3 months, and day passes come to $ 21 with shoes — all of which means I almost always come alone. But when I do bring guests, they find it frustrating — this has been getting better in recent months, but generally there are so few V0/​Vintro climbs that there’s not much for a beginner to do. And often the Vintro’s are actually very difficult and really discouraging for my friends.