Wall Climbing at Camp Sandugo

 

After our first attempt on outdoor rock climbing, we found ourselves slightly obsessed with climbing that we all decided to meet-up and try indoor wall climbing.  

Indoor Wall Climbing at Camp Sandugo, Market Market mall

The wall climbing facility at Camp Sandugo in Market Market mall is a lot better than the one at Centro Athletico in Quezon city, at least in my opinion. The walls here are a lot higher and not as crowded, especially on a saturday afternoon. Not to mention the area is well ventillated and we don't have to share the ground with the badminton players.

At 12-feet tall and about 6 levels, climbing these walls would be a great workout!

The downside is, since Camp Sandugo is in a mall, it is also much accessible to the younger crowd. And when I say 'younger,' I actually mean A LOT younger climbers.

Judging from the way these kids breeze through the level 3 wall, I could say they really frequent the area! It's just like climbing stairs for them! (much to our dismay!)

Since most of us newbies didn't want to climb while the 4-feet climbers were going up in a matter of seconds, we waited and waited and took some pictures before we even attempt to climb one.



Once the last of the wonder kids were chartered away, I put on my harness and shouted, "climbing!"

And yeah, I skipped 3 levels. I figured, I should try the level 4 wall while my arms are still good to go.

 

The walls at Camp Sandugo are also more challenging, I think. The level 4 wall is already inclined. There are some marks on the wall so you could pretty much follow a certain route, but these, too, could be challenging.

 

We got to talk to some of the advanced climbers and they said that, instead of rappelling down, they actually climbed down after reaching the top. It builds their stamina even more...so that's what I did!

Boy, oh boy!!! If I didn't burn 1000 calories on this wall alone, I don't know what will!

Sweaty and tired, but otherwise extremely happy to make it back on the ground!

After a few gulps of water, I dusted my hands with chalk and tried the other walls. Some also would climb sideways --- a way to practice for those who are more into boulder climbing.

Since the rainy season makes it impossible to go out for rock climbing, indoor wall climbing at Camp Sandugo is the next best thing. And at less than Php500 per visit, it's a real workout that would beat muscle memory!

Details:

Camp Sandugo

5th Level Market Market mall

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila

Tel# 632-8560453

(open during mall hours)



Wall Climbing at Centro Athletico

After our rock climbing adventure, my friends and I are hooked on climbing. We were determined to do better on our next climb so we decided to meet again and practice climbing on a wall.

We found ourselves at Centro Athletico in Cubao, where the rates are a-okay and the location is convenient for all of us who are coming from different sides of the metro.

@ Centro Athletico, instructors gave us the basics

Hmm...Seems like the rules of rock climbing also apply in wall climbing...

So off we go...Fonci climbed first.

He tried his hardest to overtake the little kid. ^_^

And then, there's Patch!

Level 1 Wall was a breeze for her.

And then, it's my turn.

Ready for the next wall.

The Girls are mighty proud for finishing their Level 2 Wall.

Up, up and away, Senyorita Lakwatsera!

Senyorita Lakwatsera to the Belayer: Going Down!

Rappelling down is so much fun! Try it, try it! You must!

There's Marjo working on Level 3 Wall

We met some wall climbers in the area and they gave us tips.
To build endurance, they don't just go up. They go sideways.
This is actually harder than it looks, especially for the vertically challenged.
A lot of the holds were not built to be climbed sideways. You have to reach
farther to hold them.

Climbing sideways is also how boulder climbers practice.
That's one thing I have yet to try. Someday, probably.
When I'm stronger and more confident in maintaining
my holds.

Still climbing sideways --- this seems harder on the muscles.
When you climb up, the arms are mostly for support,
so they pretty much hang straight up,  using up less muscles.
You climb up using the legs. With sideways climbing, both
the arms and the legs are used. After a while, I gave up.
Or should I say, my arms gave up.

A few hours later, as we sit and complain about our sore muscles, we realized wall climbing is a lot easier compared with rock climbing. For one thing, if you'd study each wall, they normally have marks on what holds to use next. You'd only need to follow the marks to climb up. Also, the holds are not as jagged; they don't bite on your hand as much as rocks do. There's also the fact that climbing in a secured indoor area, where mattresses are laid out below to break your fall, makes you even more confident to climb up.

After a great workout, we're ready to move on to a more serious agenda --- food. ^_^

 Details:

Centro Athletica Power Up
in Hataw Isports Inc.
25 West Road cor North Road
Cubao, Quezon City
Tel# (632) 412-7480

Facilities:

-15 meter walls / 8 anchored belay stations / wall varies from 90degrees vertical, small roofs to sustained incline walls
-Bouldering wall
-Badminton courts also in the vicinity / air-con bath room


Opening Hours:
Weekdays 2pm - 10pm / Weekends 12pm - 8pm

Walk-in Climbing Rates:
Adult-P150
High school and below-P120
Bouldering-P100
30 days membership-P1300
2 weeks membership-P700


Directions:
From EDSA (north bound) make a U-Turn at P.Tuazon and head south bound.
The first street on the right after P.Tuazon is North Road. Take that and head straight.
Shortcuts: Take Ortigas Avenue westbound, then turn right to Annapolis,
left to Eisenhower straight to Horsehoe village, then turn right to Mariposa and left to West Road.

MRT - Get off at cubao station and take a bus South bound to the corner of north Road (about 3 to 5 mins) then walk to the end of North Road. OR you could get a cab from the cubao station all the way to Centro OR just walk from the cubao station to Centro (about a 15 minute walk).