About Rock Climbing
What is indoor rock climbing?
Indoor climbing features rock climbing walls designed as tower-like structures that simulate the angles and textures of climbing rocks outside. Attached to the rock climbing wall are sculpted climbing holds that can be infinitely rearranged into specific routes to create ever new indoor rock climbing challenges. Varying in difficulty levels, height, and technique, each rock climbing wall can be ascended in numerous ways.
Every wall has routes created for all types of climbers, regardless of your specific body type or capability. When top-rope climbing or lead-climbing, a climber is secured with a safety harness through which the climbing rope is fed. The rope travels to a second person on the ground, called a belayer. The belayer ensures the safety of the climber by controlling tension in the rope, giving or taking slack as the climber moves upward toward the apex of the route. Bouldering is done on shorter walls over a padded floor without using ropes.
Indoor rock climbing simultaneously engages the mind and all muscle groups. Climbing calls upon many strength-building elements, such as balance, raw strength, flexibility, endurance, and mental control. The mind plays a vital role in figuring out the sequence of moves to complete the route, as well as maintaining mental composure while being physically challenged.
Lots of climbers also engage in cross-training, including yoga, cardio, and weight-lifting to further refine their skills. Most enjoyably, indoor climbing provides a dynamic social atmosphere in which to be healthy and meet great folks.
What is route setting? And, why is Mesa Rim’s setting so awesome?
Route setting is the creative process of producing routes on the rock climbing walls. It’s a unique trade that falls somewhere between artist, choreographer and mechanic. At Mesa Rim, we integrate these elements with a focus on safety, route quality, and accommodating all sizes and abilities. Beyond these core principles, our route setters are only limited by their imagination.
Mesa Rim features a strong team of full-time route setters who are nationally-certified and completion-tested to ensure a route rotation schedule every 90 days for a continually diverse climbing experience. We believe in producing a broad diversity of routes that represents all styles of climbing. Our setters strive to produce intuitive, fluid movement that ultimately challenges both the mind and body.
When route setting is good, it can inspire all of us to become better climbers indoor and out. Come see why we’re the best rock climbing gym San Diego offers! Here are just a few things to note around the gym:
- Setting calender and route info is updated regularly on our Setting Info wall
- Top rope and lead climbing reset every 12 weeks; boulder problems reset every 6-8 weeks
- Route ratings range from 5.5-5.14a; boulder problems range VB-V13
- Route tags include set dates, route characteristic, notes, and grade levels
- Grades are subjective and merely intended as a guide for your own safety and personal prowess
- Our members rate most of the climbs by consensus
- All natural wall features are considered on route unless otherwise marked on route label
- We set by tape, and by hold color only when possible
- Where applicable, all rope climbs are set and rated for lead — this accounts for over 70% of our rope terrain
- Feedback is always welcome! Whatever you have to say, we want to hear from you. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated and help us develop a creative vision for the next set. (We’ve got a Suggestion Box that’s regularly checked and posted.)
We’re glad we can offer premier indoor climbing San Diego can be proud of!
Need the right rock climbing gear to get started?
At Mesa Rim, we have an on-site Proshop that offers beginner packages to get you started with climbing right away. Simply ask any of our team members to help you! We also carry an array of specialty products for climbing, yoga and bodywork.
Mesa Rim believes in selecting vendors that offer quality products and choose companies with eco-conscious business practices whenever possible. We especially believe in supporting local San Diego companies and are open for feedback on what you’d like to see.
For more about our ProShop, stop by Mesa Rim or email us today.