Posted by andychasteen on 1/15/2008
Rocktown Climbing Gym in Oklahoma City boasts some of the longest indoor routes in the country. Aaron Gibson (owner) has done some amazing things not only to the inside, but the outside as well. This photo shows Aaron on his 140 ft lead route on the SW corner of the silo. All of the grips are chipped out of the concrete to make a uber sustained, classic 5.9+ route with the crux coming right below the chains at the top. Exodus is an amazing route with huge exposure, overlooking downtown Oklahoma City.
woodchuck07 says:
Now that's the ultimate of city climbs! Sweet looking view too. A novel idea to use the silo itself for chipped holds instead of bolted/glued ones. Hope it still structurally sound.
andychasteen says:
Right on. There are also routes on the outside that have bolted holds, and 6 routes on it have actual rocks, smoothed on the back, that are glued on as holds. Some of the coolest routes you'll ever get on.
climbingtrash says:
Good pic Andy. Looks like a fun time.
gonzobeer says:
Well it seems we finally have a reason to go to OKC :)
Licentia Haud Vestigium
climbingtrash says:
I said it looked fun...but it doesn't have the gravitational pull it would take to get me to go to OKC! hahaha...
dbattin says:
That is a crazy shot!
Pludos says:
Right On-that’s one hell of an advertisement for climbing, if that doesn't get people curious.
"Need a Belay?"
speedywon says:
Silos have such a bizarre sense of exposure. You don't have a cliff line or trees around to absorb the space. Its just you and 100ft of air. Very cool.
addiction2friction says:
That is a sick shot, If I drove through I would defintly stop for a quick RP, any thing harder on that wall?
andychasteen says:
Yes, there are 9 more routes on the outside of the silo. 3 have been put up with normal "gym" holds and are easy/moderate. 6 of them, however, have been put up by epoxying real rock (backside of the rock was sanded flat) to the wall. They guy who did it is a very impressive route setter and they go from 10d-12's. Very technical routes.
woodchuck07 says:
Have they ever considered running water and freezing it for ice? Like the guys in Bloomington did years ago at their gym? I'm not too familiar with Oklahoma areas, and suppose they just don't get the cold down there needed for it. But it would be so coool.!
andychasteen says:
Yeah, it doesn't stay cold in long enough spirts for that. Unfortunately!!!!
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