this is the first time I have ever left a bad review. this means something to me
if you haven't been to the Duluth Climbing and Fitness check it out. 16 dollar day passes and a friendly group of truly experienced climbers who will introduce you to what climbing is really about.
it's nothing like a soul bleached corporate washout of a gym such as VE. watch out for decrepid concrete and dust as well while your climbing.
Ive been a climber for 8 years. I've bouldered and climbed all over Minnesota, Yosemite, Spain, Wyoming, Washington, Chugatch Range Alaska , New Zealand and many others places. Ive conducted myself in various risky situations to the best of my ability and returned unscathed with my party.
More importantly to this review, the context of the facility, I've been as annual pass holding member at this business for at least 3-4 years. I've been tested out as a lead climber and top rope climber many times by both the facility in Duluth and St. Paul in accordance to their policy.
After a long summer of running my own business handling many clients, I was extremely excited to go start working out for some trips south. Then encountered the most pathetic display of customer service.
Manager punched me in with little conversation, pretty typical. After no pleasantries or introductions the employee, Brook Faye, tested my partner and I out for top rope certification as is VEs policy's. Despite showing a complete understanding and fluency in using my equipment and communicating with my partner; the employee ended up not passing me because I didn't not explain to "her standard " and answer to a broad question.
I displayed and checked my equipment to her standard but she failed me for not vocally encompassing all her desired safety checks.
I understand having policy . It's their job to keep people safe.
I also believe that a trained professional should have contextual understanding of experience based on time in the sport and the business to see when a climber knows what they're doing and displays complete proficiency at their craft.
this place use to be ran by climbers. now it's run by sterile expired college climber desk jockeys. piss off Vertical Endeavor
what a waste of space. used to be packed on a Friday night, it was pretty scarce tonight. I'm angry, disappointed and sad that this place is like this now.
call me if you want to ask questions 2184911202 read more