New Bouldering Gym Opening June 19th Near Shilin Night Market

Taipei City’s third bouldering gym, Red Rock, opens this Friday June 19th near Shilin Night Market.

Housed in a spacious 300 square meter underground facility, the new gym is located 11 minutes walking distance from Jiantan MRT station. With tons of climbing space, monochrome routesetting, and–no joke– air conditioning, Red Rock sets a new standard for bouldering gyms in Taiwan.

We took a sneak peek at the gym and we liked what we saw.

Red Rock is the first gym in Taiwan with Monochrome setting. No more spending minutes looking for a route, only to forget the holds when you’re on the wall.

Monochrome setting also means the holds are chosen specifically for the route. Taiwan’s gyms traditionally use the Japanese style of routesetting where holds go up first, and routes are made later and marked with tape or metal plates. While minor adjustments do happen, for the most part this limits routesetters to what’s on the wall. At Red Rock, each route uses its own set of holds, resulting in problems that feel more specific, more “tailor-fit”. Compared to other gyms in Taiwan, you’ll find more forced moves, technical footwork and body-position dependent problems.

Besides solid setting, Red Rock brings superb training facilities. With steep walls up to 60 degrees, multiple campus boards, a Rock Prodigy Training Center fingerboard, Olympic Rings, and even a Moonboard, this place is undoubtedly now the number one place in the the country for getting strong.

Quality comes at a cost — Red Rock’s pricing is $250, the highest in Taiwan, up there with STONE’s weekend pricing. During the opening weekend from 6/19 to 6/21 Red Rock is offering a 2 for one deal on day passes. These don’t expire, so you can hoard them for later use if so inclined.

Red Rock is located 11 min walking distance from Jiantan station at No.261 B1 Chengde Rd section 4, and there are youbike stations at Jiantan station and Shilin sports center to cut that trip in half. This makes it one of the most convenient gyms in Taipei.

Red Rocks’ professional staff, 3 meter high walls and sweet location are all reminiscent of the legendary LZS bouldering gym that gathered Taipei climbers of all walks of life together into one convenient urban climbing gym. Will it live up to the hype?  Time will only tell.

 Pictures courtesy Red Rock Climbing Gym