VITAL Climbing Gym - Bellingham

While it's been a year since I was last here my experience with this climbing gym was very positive. The wall is constantly being adjusted to allow for a different climbing experience every week, and their monthly membership rate is affordable if you plan to make weekly use of it. There are also some stationary bikes , a slack line, and other equipment you can use to warm up or try something different.
5 8 years ago (05-05-2018)

All bouldering; no rope climbs. With a student ID card, you can get monthly access for $50/month. Also have small side-gym with bikes , squat bars, etc. Oh and a sweet slackline. And finally, everything from chalk or tape to climbing shoes or clothing are available for purchase 24/7 (with the monthly access). Best bouldering gym i have ever attended.
5 8 years ago (28-03-2018)

I think this is a nice bouldering gym. They reset walls regularly and do their best to keep it interesting for frequent visitors and newcomers to the climbing community. I like that there is a good variety of routes for climbers of all abilities. I think $60 a month is pretty average, if not, a low price for a monthly membership which automatically grants members with 24-hour access. That is unheard of back in Denver, where I recently moved from. So why not a full 5-star rating? The lounge area is nice and seems to get a lot of use, but I wish they made better use of the overall space to include more room for people who want to stretch or do other workouts. It is a gym, and I wish they could eliminate the "meeting/conference room" to make the facility more accommodating of climbers who want a more private space to stretch, do some yoga, or other workouts. Those taking a climbing break have the smallest amount of space to try and work around each other. On a different note....I was recently disappointed when I went back to work on a problem, but they had already taken down the entire cave despite communicating to me that it would be up for another full day. Perhaps it was a miscommunication among the staff? I understand these things happen, but i was so bummed because I made a trip there with the sole intention of checking that problem off my list! Such is life....there are plenty of new ones up though, so I can jump right into those routes. Other than that, this is a good gym and the staff has always been friendly and helpful. I'm happy to be a member and really enjoy the 24-hour access.
4 9 years ago (03-12-2017)

I heard of bouldering before, but I certainly never considered doing it until my friend asked me to come with him. Rock climbing without ropes?? Sketchy!!! Although, after spending a couple hours here, I warmed up to it. I even fell pretty far a couple times, but the 2 feet of padding (literally everywhere) makes for a somewhat comfortable landing. It was decently busy when I was there, and if I went again, I'd go during a slower time. That way you don't have to worry about falling on someone, being fallen on, waiting for a certain section of wall, or just be able to flounder around and not have people silently judge you on your obvious lack of climbing experience. The price for a day pass and shoes is a bit high unless you're there for several hours, but other than that it's a cool place.
4 8 years ago (15-02-2018)

First time checking this place out. Came down here from Vancouver for the day. Nice little gym. Interesting problems, good height, good atmosphere, decent training area, and cool they have a slackline. Only complaints are the mats are a little hard, so I wouldn't want to take a fall from the top, and some of the holds were super dirty and slick... But overall, great gym! Can't wait to come back!
4 9 years ago (07-01-2018)