Mountaineering first arrived on the adventure sport scene in the 1400s, and with it, the recreational sport of rock climbing was born. Since then, the industry has boomed across disciplines, styles and locations.
In the modern world, some prefer to engage in all of their climbing outdoors. Others, like Climb Cincy’s head coach and youth programs coordinator Daniel Miesbauer, enjoy the intersection of indoor and outdoor climbing.
“The permanence of outdoor climbing is kind of alluring, but indoor climbing is a super fun training ground and the community is super awesome,” Miesbauer said.
Miesbauer began his climbing journey a few years ago when his girlfriend’s coworker brought them to a climbing gym, and he was instantly hooked.
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“I really like the balance of the physical challenge mixed with the mental challenge of figuring out how to use your physicality to solve the problem,” Miesbauer said. “That and the inherently progressive nature of climbing made it really addictive.”
When Miesbauer first started climbing, the support he felt from the community came almost instantly, and was another reason he decided to stick around the climbing gym.
“Even when I was brand new and I was climbing easier grades, people climbing way harder than me would stop what they were doing to cheer for me as a newer climber, and then they’d be like, ‘Great job, maybe try this,’ and it’s a very collaborative environment,” Miesbauer said.
Now, Miesbauer coaches the youth team at Climb Cincy and gets the chance to be that supportive character for younger climbers who compete through USA Climbing. Miesbauer described that league as the starting point for climbers who end up on Team USA and might someday become Olympic competitors.
“The kids meet twice a week, and we train mostly skill acquisition and technique on the wall, but we also cross-train power and endurance and teach them all the elements of being an athlete that are also important in the rest of their lives, so it kind of grows them as athletes and as people,” Miesbauer said.
Miesbauer’s role at Climb Cincy gives him the chance to not only engage in an existing climbing community, but also to help develop the next generation of that community into disciplined and open-minded climbers.
“I’ve never met a community that’s more supportive than the climbing community and more open and welcoming,” Miesbauer said. “We’re an ally of an organization and everyone’s invited.”
Below is a list of indoor climbing gyms for all skill levels, whether you’re an outdoor climber looking to scratch that itch or a beginner looking to gain some skills before heading to the crag.
3475 E. Kemper Rd., Cincinnati OH 45241
(513) 733-0123
Just north of Sharonville, RockQuest is the area’s oldest indoor climbing facility. Founded in the mid-1990s, this four story building houses both bouldering and top-roping areas, and also offers classes to learn lead climbing skills. The gym also offers yoga classes, youth recreational teams and a chance for longtime members of the climbing community to connect with and inspire up-and-coming climbers.
A day pass starts at $20, with each piece of rental gear costing an additional $5. RockQuest also offers punch cards, starting at $90 for five punches with no gear rental and going up to $225 for 10 punches including gear rental. A month-long membership is $80 and an annual membership costs $715.
1708 Blue Rock St., Cincinnati OH 45223
(513) 541-1111
What Climb Cincy lacks in roped climbing resources, it makes up for in the quality of bouldering problems set on a rotating basis. The team at this gym, located in the heart of Northside, sets boulders for a range of skillsets and climbing styles. Whether you’re on the youth climbing team or just a member looking to showcase your climbing skills in a friendly competitive league, Climb Cincy offers numerous competitions and events throughout the season.
After your first visit, day passes are $15 plus a $6 fee to rent climbing shoes. If you plan on going more than once a month, a one month membership is $74, six months is $370 and a year is $699.
9501 Union Cemetery Rd., Loveland OH 45140
(513) 781-4083
In addition to its standing as a bouldering and top-roping facility, Mosaic also offers a robust fitness center for those looking to cycle, lift or run in tandem with their climbing training.
Belay classes are available nearly every day, as well as other fitness instruction and amenities like conference rooms and co-working spaces.
A month-long adult membership starts at $75 and a day pass at $25.
4460 Orkney Ave., Cincinnati OH 45209
(513) 818-8017
Like most of the other gyms in Cincinnati, Climb Time Oakley offers a space for top ropers and lead climbers to practice their skills, or for beginners to learn those skills through clinics and events. The facility also offers yoga and kickboxing classes, as well as a bouldering area. A unique aspect of Climb Time’s offerings is the members-only hours, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
With gear rentals not included, Climb Time offers $24 day passes, $200 10-visit punch cards, $87 month-long memberships and $899 annual memberships.