Dying rock climbing gym

The post someone made about regular douchebags made me think about this.

When I was a very young adult I'd sneak off about once a month to go to fun, family friendly places. One of these places was a rock climbing gym. I went a handful of times then, and then later on did a membership.

Fast forward a few years and I'm back there in a post COVID world.

The place is now under new leadership. I'm looked at with snickers since I don't have my own equipment and am clearly not one of the elite, cool crowd. The price has gone up.

I am told of new safety rules. Now for auto belay, you have to get a worker to check it. Ughhh. For anyone not familiar. You clamp yourself in and it's completely safe. The new rule to have a person personally look is like buckling yourself into a seatbelt and having Mommy personally check it and pat you on the head.

The place was pretty much a ghost town, save for like two asskissers.

I kept looking back to get the okay when I was in the auto belay course I wanted to go on. I kept being ignored and I just started going without.

Years ago I remember there were douches who made this place their whole life. They'd talk at people about competitions they want to and the other locations they are regular at. No one cared. Most people just kept to themselves. It seems the jackasses have become the majority at this place.

And the whole vibe now was shit. Years ago it was pop punk and 2000s music. Now it was fucking dead air silence.

This was last month. I'm never going back again.

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anonymous Other September 07, 2025 at 3:38 pm 0 1