Want to climb on real rock, but the weather’s not cooperating? You’re in luck—The Spot Boulder and The Spot Thornton house an array of great boulders and routes in the style of outdoor climbs! Whether you’re looking for an indoor project or you want to get your first taste of what it feels like to climb on real rock, we’ve got climbs for you.
Announcing Two $500 Cash Bounties
Want to walk away with hundreds of dollars for sending your project? We’re announcing a cash bounty on two of the hardest natural climbs in our gyms! Be the first to send us a video of yourself climbing the Flared Crack Project at The Spot Thornton or the Seams Project at The Spot Boulder, and you’ll win a $500 prize. Scroll down to see the climbs and read the rules.
A Quick Note On Grades
Climbing grades are relative. Gym climbing grades and outdoor climbing grades can be difficult to compare. These climbs are graded as they might be graded outdoors. Some of the grades listed are not consensus grades, but the opinions of one or a handful of people. We invite you to weigh in on grades via Mountain Project to help us determine the true grades of these climbs!
We need your help…
We have limited information on the history of these climbs. If you know about first ascents, unlisted problems, or updates required on this page, please email marketing@thespotgym.com. Thank you!
The Spot Boulder
Yosemite Wall
A quick note: Crack climbing is dangerous. When climbing the cracks in our gym, please make sure you are jamming properly and not “bone locking” or just wedging your body part in a constriction. If you’re not sure what we mean, check out this video. As always, seek qualified instruction. All the cool kids are doing it.
Left to Right Traverse V8
Left Seam 5.13
Left Crack 5.11
Center Crack 5.10
Great crack climbing training. Pull through a small roof on hand jams into a shallow dihedral.
Middle Seam 5.12+
Right Crack 5.10
For full value, try avoiding the foot ledges and staying true to this delicious hand crack!
Right Seam 5.12
Right to Left Traverse V?
How different is this climb when climbed right to left? Tell us the grade on Mountain Project.
Hueco Boulder
Project
Stand start using both aretes and follow the right arete to the summit. The dihedral to the right is off.
Book Mark V6
Sit start on the lowest holds in the dihedral. Follow holds in dihedral and on the right arete to the summit.
Book Mark variation V7+
Exit to the left avoiding the hueco and the jug at the top.
Project
Sit start same as Book Mark. but immediately climb right across a blank face to gain the small underclings in the seam. Continue to the top avoiding right arete.
Project
Sit start in the low hueco left of Downplay and climb left into the underclings on #4, avoiding the right arete.
Downplay V0-
Climb the large huecos in the runoff trough. This is also the easiest way down from the top of the boulder.
7. Project
Stand start with both hands in the seam that splits the entire face under the large scoop. Climb left through scoop pockets to the obtuse arete and use pinches and liebacks to gain the summit.
8. Crackle in a Blender V7/8
Sit start on the lowest holds of the right arete, climb left through underclings and straight up over cracked face to the top. The stand start goes at V5/6.
9. Eruption V6/7 (FA: Isaac Caldiero)
Sit start on lowest holds of the arete. Move up through a two-finger pocket and onto small crimps on the slab and inside the dihedral.
10. Attack of the Minions V11/12 (FA: Daniel Woods)
Sit start on lowest holds in corner scoops and climb up left arete to the summit. See a video of the first ascent here.
11. Project
This is a variation of Attack of the Minions. Summit to the right avoiding the left arete after the sloping sidepull.
Font Boulder
Left Arete V11 (FA: Isaac Caldiero)
Slab V?
How hard is this climb? Tell us on Mountain Project.
Right Arete V9
North Face Projects
A small seam and a few holds can be found on the north side of the Font boulder.
River Wall
Undercling Seam
Sit start low on underclings and work your way up the undercling seam, then cut right to gain the top. We don’t know how hard this climbs at. Tell us on Mountain Project!
Crack Problem V5
Sit start in the diagonal seam and climb straight up the overhanging crack feature with friendly holds.
Seams Project
Sit start in one of two diagonal seams to the right of the V5 crack, and will your way up and right on bad holds.
This climb has a cash bounty! Win $500 if you can claim the first ascent. You must sit start in the seams and find your way to the top of a the wall without using any plastic features or the V5 crack to the left. You must be the first to claim an ascent, and it must be captured on video. Email your send footage to marketing@thespotgym.com to claim your reward. Good luck!
Project
Climb the arete jutting out of the center of the River Wall.
Exit Sign Arete V4
Please don’t touch our exit sign.
The Spot Thornton
Lieback Flake 5.10+
Climb the consistent and juggy seam that would feel great if there were more footholds.
Offwidth 5.10
Pull out your best offwidth technique for the splitter corner crack, or lie back with your feet on the right wall.
Double flake 5.12
Climb this unique double-feature with a thin seam on your left and a smooth rail to your right.
4. Project: Back Corner
The corner seam in the back of the gym climbs at 5.11 with plastic feet, but is improbable with all-natural feet.
5. Flared Crack 5.14b (FA: Tommy Caldwell)
Climb this overhanging concrete crack through flared hand and finger jams to a technical, vertical finish. Check out our video about this climb, made before we were aware that Tommy Caldwell had sent the climb.
This climb has a cash bounty! Win $500 if you can claim the next ascent on this crack. You must lead climb the crack to the anchors without weighting the rope or using any plastic features. Your ascent must be captured on video. Email your send footage to marketing@thespotgym.com to claim your reward. Good luck!
6. Project: Pinch Arete
Climb this striking pinch arete. This climb requires a level of pinch strength that might be super-human…We’re not sure. Tell us if this climb is possible at marketing@thespotgym.com!
7. Pinch Arete V8
Squeeze your way up the overhanging pinch arete at the front of the bouldering area.
As a reminder, we invite you to comment on grades via Mountain Project. If you know about first ascents, unlisted problems, or any updates required on this page, please email marketing@thespotgym.com. Happy sending!