What is this meetup for?
OutClimb is a a Minnesota-based organization dedicated to making climbing accessible to as many trans and queer people as possible. This includes creating a welcoming space for queer, non-binary, and trans people of all backgrounds and skill levels. Climbing is historically white, cisgender, heterosexual, and male dominated; OutClimb looks to change that by providing a queer organized and led space where folks can hangout, climb, and learn with each other.
It would be fantastic for folks to come out, climb, be queer, and learn new stuff. Anyone and everyone is welcome, bring your friends!
Discounts
If it's your first time attending OutClimb tell the front desk and receive a free day pass with shoe rentals! If you've climbed with us before tell the front desk to receive a discounted day pass with shoe rentals for $12 (+tax)!
What is Bouldering?
Indoor bouldering is a type of rock climbing that involves climbing shorter artificial rock walls over large pads without ropes or harnesses. This type of climbing has fewer barriers because it does not require the technical skills used for ropes and the only special equipment needed is climbing shoes.
First time at Minneapolis Bouldering Project?
Fill out a waiver in advance, and show up 15 minutes early to complete the tour and orientation before the event!
To join OutClimb at Bouldering Project you will need a day pass or a membership. Remember to check out the discounts section above for an even better deal than punch cards!
When possible, we will offer a short lesson on climbing technique and movement for new or beginning climbers. This is to help you get on the wall, climb for longer, and try more technically challenging climbs during the meetup.
What do I wear and where can I change?
Minneapolis Bouldering Project has a no questions asked policy for using the gendered locker rooms and bathrooms you identify with.
If you aren’t keen on locker rooms, there are single stall locking bathrooms with benches inside and lockers outside for you to use
Normal clothes for the gym or yoga are great options to wear. The walls and climbing holds can be abrasive so consider wearing clothes that cover your knees and legs. Overall you do not want to restrict your movement, while protecting your skin, and keeping cool while exercising.
Climbing shoe rentals are included with the discounted day passes for OutClimb. They should fit tightly, but your feet (and toes) should sit flat inside the shoes.
Some OutClimb attendees use hearing protection that matches their sensory needs; and some use masks for heath reasons, to reduce the spread of infectious disease, or the chalk dust in the air. Please consider your own needs and the health of other climbers when you make these choices.
Is there parking at Bouldering Project?
Although Bouldering Project has a free parking lot, it can fill up due to events and patrons from near by businesses. This is usually worst during the months of cold months of November - March and when there are events along the river in June - August. Be sure to park only in designated spaces and check that those are not reserved for neighboring businesses at that time. There is also a pay lot on the other side of Plymouth Ave. If you park on the street watch for fire hydrants. We suggest biking, carpooling, or the use of public transit to get to and from the gym whenever possible.
What happens at a meetup?
We start with introductions, announcements. After this we will take a group photo and when possible we will offer a short lesson on basic climbing movement and technique to help newer climbers on the wall. The majority of the meetup will be open climbing where participants and climb and mingle between sends on the mats. Then we will wrap up just before the event ends, but this doesn’t mean you have to stop climbing or skip out on the sauna, your day pass is good until the gym closes. After the climbing meetup we have optional social time at Pryse Brewing Company, located in the same parking lot as Bouldering Project. They do offer some non-alcoholic options along with food such as pizza and great waffle fries.