Alta Climbing and Fitness

“As a 50+ year old mom, when I first became a member at Gilbert Alta 3 years ago, I thought I was joining to support my children. I didn’t realize that I was actually doing it for myself. Rock climbing supports my stability and mobility in ways that I never expected. When I’m hiking with others and doing rock scrambling, I notice that I feel sure footed and more confident than others. It definitely moves and strengthens my body in ways that nothing else does. However, my biggest gain from Alta has been attending Kaylee’s Rock Solid morning weightlifting classes. She always challenges us while still working within our personal injuries or limitations. Even though they are group classes, she provides personal attention, guiding us in form and pushing us to our personal bests. I love my Alta community!”

“I've been climbing at Alta Climbing since shortly after they opened, and generally climb there a few days a week. The setting has always felt like a good mix of easy and challenging routes to me and allowed me to progress in my climbing. The staff are friendly and the general community is very welcoming it's been a great place for my family and me. Beyond the climbing aspects, I take the fitness and yoga classes offered at both the climbing and bouldering gym. It's a great benefit to have as part of the memberships and the classes have been a great addition to my general fitness routine. The instructors are very friendly and always willing to go the extra mile.”

“EDIT: I reported a safety issue in my previous review. Three quick links for lead climbing were damaged withing a 1-2 week time frame. I felt that the gym's response to the safety hazard was not taken seriously until I posted my negative public review to illuminate the issue. They way the handled the situation has shaken my confidence in the gym's safety. Because I wrote the 1-star review to catch their attention, and because they have addressed the reported issue, I am revising my review from 1 star to 3 stars. I want to love this gym, but my concern for the safety culture and work culture makes it difficult to do so. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Safety is not a priority here (and other complaints): --- (SAFETY) Lead climbers beware: In the past week, three quickdraw quick links for lead climbing have broken during climber falls. I was informed that there has been no safety inspection of the quick links since incidents. This is life-supporting PPE -- if it breaks, climbers could die. A climbing gym must prioritize safety above all else. An inspection of all quick links should have been the gym's first action after the first incident. In the technical documentation, the manufacturer(s) require two particular action that the gym does not follow: 1) The quick link nut to be torqued upon first installation according to the manufacturer's specification. I have it on good authority that gym does not even own a torque wrench. 2) The quick link must be periodically inspected a minimum of once every 12 months. Three separate failures indicate that the gym does not periodically inspect their life-saving equipment. Included below are the part numbers of the affected equipment. Technical documentation can be found at these sources. * Petzl Djinn Steel Axess Quickdraw: M060EA00 * Petzl Go 8mm Quick Link: P015AA01 * Mallion Rapide Large Opening EN Quick Link: MRGOZ08.0 EN (note: Petzl sources their quick link from Mallion Rapide and re-brands it as the Petzl Go 8mm.) --- (SAFETY) Top-rope climbers beware: There are hazards at the top of the rope climbing wall which have caused injury (such as cuts) or have been reported as an injury risk, yet no mitigating actions have been implemented. --- (CLEANLINESS): The gym's standard of cleanliness is in steady decline. This is especially noticeable at the Alta Boulders gym. Please hire a janitorial staff or contract cleaning service. --- (COMPLAINT) Rentals are not free with guest passes: The guest pass does not include free shoes and harness for your guest. If I bring friend to the gym, they still need to pay $8 for gear. I believe that free rentals should be included in the guest pass. --- (COMPLAINT) Alta advertises the Olympic speed wall but does not permit public access: Their website says "The only rock climbing gym in Arizona featuring an OLYMPIC SIZED 15-METER COMPETITION SPEED WALL!" The speed wall is not open to members of the public. This is blatantly false advertising. --- (COMPLAINT) Management seems disconnected from their workers: Rumors of poor work culture have been shared freely among the community. The management does not treat their employees well, nor does management listen to the feedback that their workers provide. The workers are treated as expendable people that can quickly be replaced by the next high schooler in need of a job. This taints the whole experience for a climber who just wants the simplicity of climbing plastic when they can't climb real rocks outdoors. The work culture should not be so bad that it impacts casual climbers with a membership.”