ROCK CLIMBING NEWS ITEM

$3 Million Climbing Gym Opens in Utah

THURSDAY, 28 DECEMBER 2006

The largest indoor climbing gym in Western Unites States is now open in Utah. The $3 million Momentum Indoor Climbing gym offers more than 20, 000 square feet of climbing surfaces, with heights reaching 42 feet. Dimitar Petrov, an engineer with Bulgaria-based climbing wall manufacturer Walltopia, was hired to build Momentum's walls and said the facility ranks among the three largest indoor climbing gyms in the United States.

The idea for Momentum started two years ago, when co-owners Kevin Bradburn and Jeff Pedersen were climbing in Santaquin Canyon. Pedersen is a climber for 24 years and was described by Rock and Ice Magazine as the force behind Utah Sport Climbing. Pedersen and Bradburn were joined by Greg Paul and they spent a year searching for a suitable site.

Indoor climbing gyms offer the beginning climber a chance to learn the basics before hitting the cliffs. The gym's bouldering areas and cafe are expected to open in early January. Momentum Indoor Climbing gym act as a base for adventure guiding, where climbers can master the basics and then set out with instructors on climbs across Utah.

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