Lifetime Fitness in Collierville is scheduled to open soon (if it hasn't already) and will have a pretty nice climbing wall, from what Drew has told me. He's going to be working there part-time and doing route-setting and supervision. I believe they are still hiring for other wall positions such as supervisor and part-time supervisor, so I figured I'd pass them along. Here are the links:

https://lifetime.taleo.net/careersecti ... n&job=264040&src=JB-10240

https://lifetime.taleo.net/careersecti ... n&job=264041&src=JB-10240

daniel is drawing me out of deep dark corners on the only climbing topic i've been related to lately. yes, lifetime fitness is open. as an employee i have 6 guest passes per year (two have already been used)=4 left for 2009. just to let yall know. and it is a great climbing wall; lots of toprope, 6 lead routes? maybe? i think there are at least 5 or six lead lines with 1 or 2 routes each at present. to climb there you either need to be a member at lifetime fitness or be a guest of a member. however you get through the front door makes no difference to the climbing wall staff. currently, however, all positions are filled but ltf always takes an application. if anyone knows gary peters (apparently another old-school trad and all-around climber in the area who teaches at outdoors) he is the supervisor, and then there are about five other instructors including me. and the wall is open 5pm-9pm mon-thurs and 10am-4pm sat. routes range from 5.5-5.11.
daniel, dmitry- please get in touch with me about taking advantage of one of my guest passes on a rainy saturday.

to use the topropes you have to take a belay test (no cost) that covers tying in to the rope (figure 8 with a backup knot, preferably double fisherman's), belayer/climber commands, and belay technique (brake hand never leaves the rope and whatever method you prefer as long as it's consistent)

to use the lead routes you have to take a similar lead climbing/lead belay test.

and if you catch me on an afternoon i don't work, i can not only get you in, but can show you around. then pool/hot tub/steam room afterward. woohoo!

also- there is a lead route comperable in stature to My Big Ten Inch from batesville- overhanging and nasty arete-ish climbing. fun. big fun.

Yay, I baited Drew out! Thanks for all the info, bud. It's great that we have an inside man.

How tall is this thing? Do you have any pics of it? Even camera phone ones would do.

Do they have one month memberships? How much are they?

I'm gonna have to take you up on that offer, lemme know when is good for you.

i'm not sure exactly how tall it is, but it is the same height as the basketball gym, maybe the same as bridges' wall. yes, i have pics of it but i don't know how exactly to get them on here. there is one (and will be more) on facebook if you can either see them there or if you (daniel)mcan save them and get them on here. btw, all memberships are one month (no contracts ever) and they are $50/month (expensive, but you're paying for more than a climbing wall, kind of like at UT downtown)

Pic posted in photo gallery! Wow, Memphis just got a real wall!

so how much is a membership there and is it worth it lol

He just said it was $50 a month, and check out the pic in the gallery- pictures are worth a thousand words.

Mini-trip report:

Drew, Chris and I went up for an evening of climbing yesterday at Lifetime. The place is ginormous, is 24 hours, and has about anything you could imagine. I would definitely recommend a membership there if you are considering it! The wall is open from 5-9 pm on weekdays, not sure about weekends.The wall is 30 ft high and is run by Gary from Outdoors, Inc. They have top ropes and autobelays, with a handful of routes for sport leading. There are about 20 or so marked routes ranging from 5.5 to 5.11 and they are definitely not sandbagged- they are what they are. I'd say the distribution of routes would put most of them in the 5.6-5.9 range, but it is definitely worth your while. There are lots of overhangs and two crack climbs (one large crack and one small width one). Drew has even set some bouldering routes and is putting up more all the time.

To get belay access, you have to complete a very strict belay test by Gary. I didn't get a chance to do the lead test, so I'm sure that's complicated as well.

All in all it was great fun and I can't wait to go back. I'm just sad I'm leaving soon and can't take more advantage of it. For one day visits, right now you can either get a free guest pass from a member or you can pay $15 for an all-day pass. Rumor is that they are going to get a per-visit climbing program set up where you would just have access to the wall but wouldn't have to pay the entire $15, which would be awesome. Chris took some pics with his iphone, so once he puts them up you can see all the glory.

Awesome, Cannot wait to see the pics. !

so have any of you guys been to the lifetime fitness gym yet? How much is it? can you get a day pass? How are the roots? I know the walls are cool because I built this same design in Texas with the company I work for in Boulder. Anyway, what is up? How is it? Pics pics pics! lata guys

Yep, Drew, Chris and I have climbed on it and this evening Chris, Dmitry, and I are headed up there as well. It's a good wall with a lot of variety. If I threaten to kill an animal or something, Chris might actually post the pics in this lifetime.

Yeah, we went up there Wednesday night. HUGE COMPLEX! Seriously - its big.
The climbing area was nice. It is very apparent that LTF has bottomless pockets and money is not an issue. Cool routes - marked from 5.5-5.12. Few lead routes as well. Drive is a drag for me though – its far from downtown.

Dimitry, everything is a drive for you! so what is the procedure to climb there. can you just get a day pass whenever you want? do you have to go with a member? are the hours decent? I would like to try it out when I get there to see what the routes are like. the guys who set up here are internationally certified route setter so it would be cool to compare. Did you climb those cracks yet? I carved the cracks at the Lifetime fitness facility in Mansfield, TX. It is always cool to see what others are doing. Oh, the 4th climbing gym just opened in Boulder this weekend a town of about 5 square miles!! just doesn't seem fair huh? Her are some photos of my weekend bouldering trip with some friends. Hope you are well! scott

http://picasaweb.google.com/scottclmbr/RedcliffPosse709#

Hey...I just joined lifetime for access to the wall. I climbed a few of the auto belays this past Tuesday since my buddy wasn't able to come with me to be my belay partner. If anyone is able to go on Tuesdays Evening, Friday Evening or Saturday mornings let me know. I'll be there at the drop of a hat. My name's Matt Cates. I've belayed many of times and I swear I have never been more nervous than actually being tested on it by Gary at Lifetime. Awesome guy though...he's just looking out for everyone's safety.

I have not climbed in about 8 years and decided to get back into it. I'm mostly into bouldering but I want to branch out into using ropes. I need a climbing partner or just someone to hang with while I climb so I can get some hints and not feel like an outcast. Any takers?

Hello, It is hard for me to find a partner at LTF also, and yes I agree with being nervous with Gary:) Anyhow I never can find a partner to belay.... my number is 216-5196.

I'll climb with ya! I'm going up there on saturday afternoon. If you wanna join me my number is 330-212-4594

Hey I am just now recieveing this post notification. I will get in touch with you soon, I still havent found a partner:O