Source Climbing Gym

Climbing Gym

Hanz began climbing on natural rock with his father in 1984 even before the first climbing gyms were opened. He later began working at the Portland Rock Gym during the mid-90's and helped transition the PRG into its current location acting as chief route setter and instructor. His routes and boulder problems are highly regarded in the Portland/Vancouver area for their quality and creativity. This reputation has even taken Hanz internationally on two occasions: to Israel setting for a national competition and to Pakistan organizing a women's climbing comp as part of a goodwill tour. Also a talented sculptor, you can see Hanz's metal-work throughout the new Source building. Hanz now brings his decades of experience in designing and building to Vancouver's own indoor climbing to Vancouver.

Michael Lary left small-town, Iowa and began climbing in 1996. A passion for climbing outdoors led Michael to Colorado and then to Portland in 2001 where he became the Operations Manager and lead climbing instructor for the Portland Rock Gym. After helping the PRG transition into a larger facility, Michael left for a 6-month tour climbing across the US, Canada, and even Bermuda. Michael then climbed and skied for 2 years in Salt Lake while working for Black Diamond Equipment, but soon returned to Portland to continue working in the climbing gym industry. Excited to be a part of the SW Washington community, Michael is now bringing his climbing expertise and enthusiasm to downtown Vancouver. Read more

6 recommendations

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    Facebook Verified

    They listen to their members, great routes that prepare you for outside climbing, great new classes

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    Facebook Verified

    Smaller but very friendly climbing gym with some lead climbing and bouldering in addition to top rope (including some autobelays). Routes are graded more realistically than in some other gyms. Membership rates are very reasonable. If you live or work in the area, this is a solid option.

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    Facebook Verified

    This is a really great gym that offers a multitude of services for beginner all the way up to expert climbers. They offer many different classes taught by highly skilled employees. They also are constantly changing routes, which keeps things interesting.

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    Lindsay B.

    Shared on yelp.com

    A great climbing gym. A good mixture of auto belay, top rope, lead, bouldering, and kid centered areas. I appreciate the welcoming, and non-elitist staff (which for some reason is hard to come by at climbing gyms). This place is the most kid friendly climbing gym I've ever been to - I only wish that I'd had the opportunity to explore climbing at a young age. The only down side, is the size of this place... it can get packed!

    Original recommendation
  •  
    Amy H.

    Shared on yelp.com

    Tried this place for the first time and loved it! The staff is super friendly and helpful, and they give you an overview of the safety protocol and equipment right off the bat. The place is big, bright, airy, and clean, and they section it off into different areas (one side is for bouldering and more advanced climbs, the other has some auto-belays and easier climbs).

    Everything is well-labeled even for a newbie like me, so I felt really safe and had an awesome time! I will for sure be coming back.

    Original recommendation
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    Nicole N.

    Shared on yelp.com

    Love this place! It's a fun atmosphere with really knowledgable staff who are friendly and helpful. They change the routes just enough that you can take your time on hard ones but also almost always find new ones to try! I'm an rookie climber but as far as I know this place is great. The new fitness center upstairs for members is also awesome because you get to try some cool types of work outs most gyms to offer like the moving rock wall!

    Original recommendation