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General Climbing Discussion

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Compare gyms in Melbourne to Europe 30-Jan-2008 At 11:31:39 PM Rich

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Here's some pics from westway gym in london.the overhanging walls are obviously all lead only and there are lead/top rope walls on both sides of these as well as behind. there is another area of larger size which is more devoted to beginner top roping.

Routes are changed regularly enough to make it interesting however its a big gym and probably receives more patronage than melbourne gyms. I love the texture of the hardrock gyms compared to entreprise or plywood walls which feel hollow to me but was quite disappointed when I came back from overseas expecting the city gym to be better than nunas. what a bugger eh? Anyway I digress..

There is 2 other gyms in london - 1 of them, Mile End gym is unique in that it offers basically high ball bouldering instead of climbing! well the walls are higher than most bouldering at about 5m with pads to land on. Definitely preparation for the grit or font!
The Castle is a converted church and is set up quite well on mulitple levels with large rooms and extensive bouldering which always makes for a very social gym. It also has a nice lounge and coffee shop/bar with toasted sangas!