Since the dawn of time, Americans have battled one constant enemy: rocks. The mineral-aggregates come in three, equally deadly varieties: Igneous, Metamorphic, and Dragonsbane.
Scientists blame rocks for the 1985 Rock Squashing of Richard Branson, the 1986 Toledo Avalanche that killed native son Jamie Farr, and the declining popularity of the Pledge of Allegiance. Luckily, Vertical World uses its own faux-rock climbing walls, so Americans may finally experience the thrill of rock climbing without being flimflammed.
Details
Today's Groupon gets you a two-hour rock-climbing class, two weeks of climbing, and all the equipment you need at Vertical World. Take your pick of four Vertical World locations: Seattle, Redmond, Bremerton, and Everett.
Climbing in a rock gym is nothing like grappling the plywood-and-plastic climbing walls at a company picnic or building a pinewood derby car in your garage. Vertical World's walls are covered with state-of-the-art textured products that mimic the conditions of real rocks (indentions, protrusions, overhangs, underhangs, and cracks included). Its fake rocks are so good, the company builds them for other people.
If you're new to rock-climbing or don't remember how to abseil and belay, learn every aspect of the craft during a two-hour climbing class taught by a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Find out about:
- The equipment: Do legs or arms go in this harness loop?
- Knots: How do I tie a Monkey's Fist?
- Belaying: What is this?
- Commands: What do I tell my rope-holding partner?
Veteran climbers say rock climbing is sort of like training and running a marathon, but you get the adrenaline rush in shorter, more intensely concentrated spurts. Climbing at Vertical World is a great way for someone to get started, or a perfect after-work and climb-during-inclement-weather alternative for experienced climbers who want continuous practice. Buy a few Groupons and learn how to climb with people you trust. Buy three and learn to climb with people you're highly suspicious of and friends you trust watching them.
Reviews
Citysearchers give Vertical World a 4.5 stars; Yelpers give it three:
- The Intro to Climbing Class was awesome... imagine little moments of victory every time you go to the gym. I'm already hooked like a newborn crack baby. – John C., Yelp
- Great indoor climbing gym for all ages... Makes for a fun physical family outing. – bonne b., Yelp
- This gym is really clean and well maintained... You will sure get a lot more bang for your buck than in other gyms! – godessgirl87, Citysearch
