Category Archives: Rock Climbing

Stories from Rock Climbing, or something in that general area

Apr28

A breather in Bulgaria – Walltopia

Posted on by
Standard

Sunday, 31-August-2025



“Seriously? Walltopia is based in Bulgaria? It was FOUNDED in Bulgaria?”
– Ben, upon hearing that the company that build his favorite climbing gyms around the world was started in Bulgaria.

It wasn’t something I’d expected to ever hear, and it wasn’t a place I ever expected to make a pilgrimage to… but the idea of visiting the showroom for the company that’s made almost all of my favorite climbing gyms did start to grow on me quickly.

Walltopia is a manufacturing company that makes wall panels, holds, HVAC, and then slathers textures pseudo-rock on top of it all. They make climbing gyms, and I owe them a huge amount of gratitude for the quality of the gyms I’ve been to.

And, interestingly, down the street from where Andrea’s family has an apartment in Sofia, Walltopia has their showcase gym. A spot where they can invite people to climb while showing off all the new technology that they’re working on.

We, of course, tested it all out, and had an absolute blast doing so.



Mar21

Climbing at Dalkey Quarry

Posted on by
Standard

Sunday, 06-July-2026



I swear, I still rock climb.

I mean, okay. It’s been like… a long time. A really long time.

I’ve been lifting weights about once a week, but I’ll be real here – it’s been months since I’ve gotten to the climbing gym, and even longer since I’ve gotten up on actual rock. I mean, I brought all my climbing gear to Ireland with me! I just… haven’t used it.

That finally changed, thanks to an invitation from a classmate and his wife – The chance to touch rock! To climb stone, place gear, and enjoy a bit of time outside of the city!


Now, what did I climb? Well. I’m glad you asked!
– Drinker’s Direct, 5.4, Trad lead! Twice!
– Honeypot Crack, 5.5, Trad lead!

And… I think that was it. I may have done a variant of Drinkers Direct, but… yeah. Just a nice calm day on the rock.

With a lovely burger to finish it off, of course!

Mar5

A trip to Leuven – Working out at a cathedral climbing gym

Posted on by
Standard

Friday, 18-April-2025


Our last day in Belgium was unscheduled – we had the whole day to ourselves. Some people made some plans, but I had my own goals for the day… ages back, I’d read about a cathedral in Brussels that had been converted into a climbing gym. I hadn’t had a chance to check it out while I was there in 2024, and so now was the time to make it happen.

I packed my climbing gear into a pack, hopped on a train, and zoomed off on my own lovely little solo adventure.


After a week of classes, negotiations, and socializing, this was heaven for me. Calm, quiet, and blissfully solo. I kept to my own schedule, rented a scooter, and blasted my way around town until I found myself climbing tall routes under beautiful stained glass.

Then, I grabbed a quick snack, and did it all again – scooting my way to the train station, then catching a ride back to Leuven in time to meet the class and get the bus to the airport.

Yeah… I do enjoy planning and executing my own adventures.


(A quick link to a news story about the gym: https://www.brusselstimes.com/1566631/hidden-belgium-climbing-space-in-church)