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Climbing the walls? I suggest climbing a wall.

By Rachel Thistle, sporadic contributor and Ottawa enthusiast

The canal has officially closed, which tells me one thing (well okay, many things, but one is useful here): March. And March weather in Ottawa is notoriously gross. Sure, today might be nice and sunny, but I know that before Spring really kicks off, my feet are going to be freezing and damp and everything is going to be unpleasant.

So if you’re going stir-crazy and need a little exercise, what do you do when you can’t skate and live in fear of the weather? Ladies and Gentleman, Ottawa has two fantastic rockclimbing gyms to Help You Out.

I started rockclimbing about a year ago (from a co-worker. In the gov’t. I know, who knew they could be so cool?) and developed something of a once-a-week habit when my rockclimbing buddy is in town. This activity is fun, gives you a hell of a work-out, and is easily my favourite exercise-y outing in town.

The two gyms, Vertical Reality and Coyote Rock Gym, give very different experiences.

Vertical Reality is located on Victoria Island in this old warehouse which looks COMPLETELY abandoned from afar and has ceilings that go ALL the way up. This is my local gym as it is an easy walk from centertown and if you’re looking for a quiet climb, and don’t mind not being able to finish the easiest run on your first visit, this is the place. There are about a dozen or more runs for people who belay (that’s climbing the ropes), amazing bouldering if you just want to hang from your fingertips in jumping distance from the ground and usually a couple of hardcore lead line people clambering over the ceiling in a way I am not sure I will ever manage. I love it. I like the challenge of trying to finish that One. Red. Climb. and the atmosphere is calming and awesome. Price is about $15 for the day if you need to rent equipment, and you’ll have to do a $5 training session if it is your first time.

Coyote Rock Gym is at 1737B St Laurent Blvd near the St. Laurent Shopping center (across from LazerQuest if that helps anyone) and is pretty easy to get to by bus or car. You need to go BEHIND the strip mall to find the entrance, and the entryhall always makes me think of Kubrick films, but that’s neither here nor there. For as much as I love Vertical Reality, this is the gym to which I would take beginners or large groups. It is MASSIVE. There is a lot of variety of different climbing difficulties and you are sure to be able to find something you can enjoy at your level (there’s one climb which has this enormous fissure. Neat!). It caters well to larger groups and would be particularly good for a group with beginners who aren’t really sure about this climbing thing. Watch out for the higher percentage of chilluns. Price is similar ($14 for a day pass, additional fees for equipment) and it has the same quick training session as well.

If climbing indoors isn’t your thing, The Alpine Club of Canada has an Ottawa Section which looks pretty cool. They do ice climbing! It is on my list for after this stupid March weather finally leaves and it sounds like they plan some pretty entertaining outings.