azclimber.com

Scottsdale, AZ http://www.azontherocks.com/

*We need to start this review off by stating that this is our home gym and it may seem like we are biased. That is both true and false. We do not have a bias because it is our home gym, but rather because it is a phenomenal gym and we have a bias towards ALL exceptional gyms.  AZR has massive amounts of bouldering, top-roping, and lead/sport routes for all skill levels (5.8 to V10; 5.5 to 5.14).  Traveler or local, this is a great place.

-Staff: excellent. The staff at AZR are an exceptionally chill and helpful bunch. They have no qualms about talking you through a problem or move, will chat with you when time allows, and are generally a very genial bunch. In short, they are, without exception, the kind of people you want to hang out with outside of the gym.

-Cost/rental equipment: good. Their prices are great, but they only rate ‘good’ because they do not offer a one-day pass. The traveling climber needs to purchase a three-day pass for $18. The member prices are about par for that size gym while shoes, caribeaners, and harnesses are free. Belay devices are on every top-roping route (they have lead-roping, but I don’t know if you must bring your own belay or they will rent them. I’ll find out).

-# of routes/space usage: excellent. “48 top ropes, a lead only cave and over 2,800 square feet of bouldering” (taken from their site). In addition, they have a speed wall, crack, slab, chimney, and reverse chimney. Their bouldering area has problems for the beginner and the veteran. There is always something to climb.

-Route markings: excellent. All routes are clearly marked and typically have a ranking. It is debatable if the ranking is a good or bad thing, but I think it is preferable only because it is easier to talk about the route when you aren’t sitting right in front of it. If there were a ranking above ‘excellent,’ AZ would get it.

-Merch: excellent. A moderately wide to wide selection of shoes, clothes, harnesses, caribeaners, food, drinks, training devices, videos, yoga gear, and various other sundries are found at the counter.

-Extras: excellent. AZ has a yoga studio, slack-line, kids camps, climbing-specific gym, party room, kiddie wall, lockers, showers. I can not think of something they are lacking. It is the kind of facility you will want to climb whether you are a first-timer, beginner, vet, traveller, or local. In the Phoenix valley we have a few options when it comes to rock gyms, and this is the best one. Stop in and prove us wrong. We bet you can’t.

AZR