Today’s scheduled article was supposed to be 5 amazing facts about callouses. Well, maybe one amazing fact and four interesting facts, but callous facts are going to have to wait, because something important came up!
I had an amazing opportunity to climb at what might soon become the best bouldering gym in Texas. I am not being hyperbolic or exaggerating in any way. MoCo Bouldering and Fitness has a serious chance to be #1!
There are, of course, numerous standards by which one might measure the quality of a gym. These standards include clean and interesting holds, unique features such as dihedrals and overhangs, challenging clever routes, and layout of the space occupied. I’m sure most owners measure success based on a gym’s ability to make money. All of these are important factors, but from my point of view, there is no greater standard by which to measure success/quality than a gym’s ability to bring people together.
Zac Shoulders, owner of MoCo has said from the beginning that building a strong community is his goal, and now just days before the grand opening of his new gym, he has shown just how dedicated he is to that goal.
Opening a business is insanely challenging, and the closer one gets to the grand opening the more stressful life becomes. MoCo is having its grand opening in 14 days (from this publication date). Despite the stress that Zac and the entire MoCo team is under, they invited the us (the climbing club at my college) to come climb and test out some of the new routes.
The floors aren’t in yet, the plumbing isn’t complete, there is no front desk, contractors are still working, and Zac mentioned that they are still waiting to pass an electrical inspection that is being held up because of the sign out front.
And with all that is going on, Zac and his team printed out paper waivers for myself and about 15 college students to come in and climb at no charge.
To say that team MoCo had a lot on their plates would be the understatement of a lifetime, but everyone from owner Zac Shoulders to head route setter Matt Hulet was there to welcome us, show us around, and answer all of our questions, before turning us loose on some amazing routes in what I am predicting will objectively be the best bouldering gym in the entire state and beyond.
Climbing with a bunch of college students at a spot not yet available for public consumption was electrifying. The excitement that these students brought was amazing, their conversations regarding how much they love the space and how strong they envision themselves becoming once the doors officially open was inspiring.
I climbed some extraordinary routes, but I made sure to stand back and take note of what was happening. The conversations, the camaraderie, the dust, the drywall, the sends, the falls, the stoke and the stress. I was witnessing the sprouts of a seed that Zac Shoulders planted years ago when he decided to open a climbing gym. There are zero doubts that the fruits of his labor will be abundant. And I am grateful to Zac, Matt, and the entire MoCo team for the opportunity to be a part of the best thing that climbing has to offer…Community!
We’ll give MoCo a chance to get things running before we do our official review but based on what I witnessed yesterday North Houston based climbers better be ready to send!!!
***Sneak Peek*** There was an overhanging V5 that might be the best indoor boulder route I have ever touched!
MoCo Website: HERE
Moco IG: HERE
thedihedral.com 