Basecamp Climbing Bloor West

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tv tv

vía Google

Went a few times, I thought the setting was great and the staff was very nice. Only reason I deducted stars is due to the groups of lead climbers that take up climbs for over an hour. I noticed each time I went that most will sit in front of a climb in groups of 3 or more and just talk while slowly setting up for a lead climb. Some even took up a single route for over an hour as they switched between partners. I've never seen it this bad at any other gym and honestly showed terrible climbing etiquette. There were climbs I was excited to try but never had the chance as they were occupied by the same group for the entire duration of my climb.

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Sarah McFarland

vía Google

First time ever rock climbing and I had an absolute blast at Basecamp Climbing. I felt safe, supported, and genuinely comfortable the entire time — such an inclusive and welcoming environment. Shaw was our instructor and he was incredible: so patient, encouraging, and generous with his time, especially for someone brand new like me. He explained everything clearly and never made it feel intimidating. I can barely feel my hands as I write this review 😅 but that’s just proof of how much fun I had. I’ll definitely be back!

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Scott Ste Marie

vía Google

I started climbing years ago and wanted to get back into it and decided to give Basecamp a try since I moved closer to Bloor St West. I signed up for a top rope lesson to shake of the nerves and have a smooth introduction to climbing again. This was by far one of the best experiences I’ve had in a long time! The instructors were so patient, making sure I knew all the knots and felt comfortable in my harness. They explained the belay system and offered me a few great tips to remember how to set it all up. We started on a beginner’s wall which had simple holds for my hands and feet as I went up fairly slow to feel safe and build up my confidence. After the lesson we were free to try any other climb and ended up spending a good part of the day there meeting other climbers and asking questions about more difficult routes. The people who climb here regularly were super friendly and made me feel part of a community, which is another huge reason why I joined a climbing gym. As I’m new to this area of Toronto, I wanted a place where I can get a good workout in and meet people my own age. Basecamp has really made me feel part of a greater community and I’m really looking forward to getting a membership to climb at least a few times a week. If you’re looking for a place to climb in Toronto, I’d highly recommend taking the top rope lesson if you’re new and then spending time trying other routes. If you even want to weight lift, they have free weights and a variety of chin up bars. Can’t wait to go back to Basecamp again this week and then eventually try outdoor climbing this summer!

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Anik van Draanen

vía Google

We went to Basecamp during March Break and had the best time! Sefton did an awesome job making us newbies feel welcome and safe. Both of my kids were a little apprehensive at first but with Sefton’s unparalleled enthusiasm and encouragement, they both pushed themselves and left with some new-found confidence and big smiles on their faces. Thank you for such a great experience, Sefton!!!

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Casey Watson

vía Google

I’ve been climbing at Basecamp since 2017 and it’s still one of my favourite gyms in the city. It has top rope on the main floor and a whole bouldering section upstairs, so there’s always something to do whether I’m climbing with a partner or just want to do my own thing. The space is super versatile and easy to navigate, even during busier times. When I started I had never climbed before, I signed up for the intro lesson and was instantly hooked. The staff made it super easy and fun to get into, and everyone’s always been really friendly and welcoming. I remember being kind of intimidated at first, but the vibe at Basecamp was so relaxed and encouraging that it didn’t take long to feel comfortable. Over the years, I’ve met so many great people here. It’s got a really solid community vibe, which I find is something that not every gym has. Whether you come in with friends or solo, everyone is so friendly it’s easy to connect with others. The route setting is great too. I’m on the shorter side and sometimes find climbs at other gyms can feel reachy or awkward, but at Basecamp the setting feels thoughtful and fair. There’s a good variety of styles, and I always find something that challenges me without being discouraging. The grading is consistent, and I actually feel like I can trust it and track my progress, which is super motivating. There are also four auto-belays, which are handy if I’m climbing solo, or waiting for my partner to show up. It’s a great option that not every gym offers, and I use them all the time. I’ve had nothing but good experiences here over the years. The space is well-kept, the staff are awesome, and the climbs are always fresh and interesting. Whether you're brand new or have been climbing for a while, they have a huge variety of difficulty. Also bonus points for the location, it’s in a great neighbourhood with tons of cafes and food spots. My climbing partner and I always go for mango smoothies across the street, it’s basically a post-climb tradition now. If you’re thinking about trying climbing or looking for a new gym to check out, I’d definitely recommend Basecamp!