Back in 1994, Chris and Pam Schmick's passion for climbing inspired them to clear tons of soybeans out of an abandoned grain silo in Bloomington, Illinois and transform it into a state-of-the-art climbing facility. Seven years later, the duo expanded to St. Louis, converting a 10,000-square-foot historic train station into a climber’s haven. They installed massive rock arches that soar 35 feet in the air, and dotted the climbing walls with a diverse mix of climbing features. Since then, the pair has acquired space in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield Valley, allowing for walls as tall as 45 feet as well as their colorful room for children (and the young at heart) who love to climb. With a combined total of 55,000-square-feet of climbing surface in the Midwest, all four gyms cater to beginner climbers, complete with bouldering walls and autobelays, as well as top ropes and lead climbing for more experienced climbers. The gyms furnish climbers with showers and a locker room, and stock their pro shops with top-tier equipment from Black Diamond and La Sportiva.