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August 2023 by Michael A.
Reading, PA is lucky to have Reading Rocks, since there are no other options in the area, and we will go again, but compared to climbing gyms elsewhere, it's not that great for a few reasons. 1) They don't have auto belays so your group needs to have multiple capable belayers if everyone wants to climb, but for folks like me with kids, you will be the one tying knots and belaying for hours and be limited on the climbing you get to do, so not a great option. 2) The boulder in the center of the climbing area looks nice, but it has minimal holds and routes and a terrible use of potential bouldering space. The bouldering cave is better, but it's a very small area and pretty much all at incline. This is too bad because bouldering doesn't require belayers and my kids can do it while I belay the others. 3) The gym has plenty of routes/levels to give you a pump and tire everyone out, but it's kind of small and lacks variety relative to other climbing gyms. The price is okay, the staff is very nice and helpful, there are reasonable amenities, and as someone who's done a good bit of climbing, I plan to return many times, but I wish they would upgrade the items above to make it a higher tier climbing gym.
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April 2023 by Torrie
Glad I found this place! Agree with others on confusing layout. The tape system is not great and there were several routes where regulars told me that the label fell off a hold. I only bouldered (visiting the area) and I think sport climbing here would be way more fun, those routes looked good. Overhang bouldering area grading made no sense to me, I was climbing my normal v10s on the other wall and couldn’t do the easiest routes there, it seemed like tape may be missing. The setter is clearly a fan of dynos (big dynamic moves) which may not appeal to everyone.Compared to others gyms (in Washington and Montana) this one isn’t as nice, but honestly it’s nice there is a gym out here at all. Lots of towns don’t have them. My suggestions to the owner: (1) Color code the holds instead of using tape in at least the boulder only area, yes this limits the number of routes but it is going to help beginners and visitors more. (2) make more of the boulder routes go up instead of sideways, since sideways routes make it hard for multiple climbers to use the wall and don’t really mimic outdoor boulder problems.I would definitely go back and hopefully get on the sport climbs. Seems like the staff is friendly and people would offer to belay if you’re solo. ?
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April 2023 by Torrie Burwell
Glad I found this place! Agree with others on confusing layout. The tape system is not great and there were several routes where regulars told me that the label fell off a hold. I only bouldered (visiting the area) and I think sport climbing here would be way more fun, those routes looked good. Overhang bouldering area grading made no sense to me, I was climbing my normal v10s on the other wall and couldn’t do the easiest routes there, it seemed like tape may be missing. The setter is clearly a fan of dynos (big dynamic moves) which may not appeal to everyone.Compared to others gyms (in Washington and Montana) this one isn’t as nice, but honestly it’s nice there is a gym out here at all. Lots of towns don’t have them. My suggestions to the owner: (1) Color code the holds instead of using tape in at least the boulder only area, yes this limits the number of routes but it is going to help beginners and visitors more. (2) make more of the boulder routes go up instead of sideways, since sideways routes make it hard for multiple climbers to use the wall and don’t really mimic outdoor boulder problems.I would definitely go back and hopefully get on the sport climbs. Seems like the staff is friendly and people would offer to belay if you’re solo. ?
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March 2023 by Micah N.
I am apart of the Venturing Crew 5.14, and I go here mostly every Wednesday for crew meetings. The staff at Reading Rocks are very kind and helpful they critique you if you wear your harness wrong, or your climbing technique is incorrect. Also the snacks and drinks in their vending machines are very affordable compared to other places. Only 75 cents for a soda and 50 cents for cookies I think. The admission is $14, but if you join Venturing Crew 5.14 you get half price for $7. I recommend this business to climbers of all skill levels. I also recommend you join Venturing Crew 5.14. You get to go on campouts, climb outdoors, and learn lots of life skills, and you don't need to know any skills prior to joining. It says the crew is for ages 14-21 but I joined at age 13.
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March 2023 by Hannah Weaver
It's a very old school gym and I'm sure they do their best with what they have but the bouldering area was incredibly poorly marked and very confusing. Definitely not beginner friendly! Staff were kind but not particularly helpful. It's such a small space that you're constantly in someone's way. Definitely a better gym for rope climbing than bouldering.
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January 2023 by Jimmy Ford
SheeshI’m not even sure where to begin with the review for this place. Me and my son went here tonight and from the time we walked in the woman working behind the counter, was very friendly and quick to welcome us. We decided we were going to do some climbing at this rock climbing gym, so we rented all the necessary equipment, took the brief summary on how to use it all and then begin our climbs. Holy smokesI must tell you this is one hell of a workout, but it is very fun to do. When you’re 35 feet up in the air at the top of this wall and you look down you’re gonna be scared or maybe you won’t but it’s gonna be an adrenaline rush either way. Make sure you take a partner because you need to people to do the climbing as one person holds the rope in case you fall from the wall. They are there to lock it in place and save you from the fall. Anyway, it’s a really good time to just take a good outing or do a work teambuilding effort. Plenty of parking out back very well lit up. It’s kind of off the beaten path if you’re not familiar with the area which I wasn’t, but Google maps took me right there, so it made it easy. What a fun evening.
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November 2022 by will p
Had a great time today doing this for the first time, the instructor was super chill and made the process very easy. I will deff be climbing in here more. Side note they have a nice lil workout area on top of the boulder that you can only get to by climbing up and down!
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October 2022 by Sasha Lewis
Absolutely loved our time there. The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They taught me everything I needed to know and were incredibly patient with both me and my daughters. I learned so much and no matter how many times I needed help, they were right there with a smile that felt real. Will HIGHLY recommend and plan to return soon.
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October 2022 by Kritzerous
The realistic rock walls are pretty cool so is the vast variety of rock wall areas
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July 2022 by Anton Kotok
Wow amazing gym with a bunch of different difficulties to progress at all levels. As well as friendly and helpful staff. Would definitely get a membership if I didn't live 6 hours away.
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May 2022 by Tom Brenner
Been at this gym off and on for like 20 years. The current owners are.great and run a solid gym
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April 2022 by William Freytiz
Loved!!! Loved!!! Loved it!!! I lived in Reading my entire life and never stepped foot inside. The staff is very pleasant. Chris did an amazing job with patience and making everyone feel comfortable. I will definitely go again very soon.
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April 2022 by Jared Ney
Absolutely the best time! Will be going back. My 14 year old and my 18 year old had a ball and the staff was so friendly and great to work with. A+++ service!
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February 2022 by Move Well with McGee - Collin McGee
An amazing gym and owner! This is where I got my first climbs in and led me down a path to amazing friends, fun, and adventure!
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December 2021 by Dawn Kessler
Been climbing with Rdg Rocks for years! before they moved to this location, over in West Rdg. My father, brother and I climbed at least 2-3 times a month. Now I take my daughter. Great place to go, great staff to learn from!
