Boulder lounge provides new indoor facility for climbing community

Anthony Alongi, Staff Writer

The New Orleans Boulder Lounge offers people a taste of the daredevil lifestyle without ever having to leave the city.

Bouldering is a term used to describe a type of rock climbing that is done without a rope or a harness. The lounge located in the Irish Channel has climbing surfaces spanning 2,500 feet and covering the majority of the facility to simulate different levels of difficulty for participants.

Co-owner Garret Mortensen started his bouldering journey in 2008 and said he was immediately hooked. One of the things he said he likes the most about bouldering is the sense of camaraderie among fellow climbers.

“Bouldering is very community-driven. It’s not you against anyone else. It’s you against the wall that’s there to be your nemesis. So everyone wants you to succeed, everyone,” Mortensen said.

According to the Climbing Business Journal, the New Orleans Boulder Lounge is one of 40 new indoor climbing facilities built in the U.S. over the last year, a 10 percent increase from the previous year. In total, there are now 388 indoor climbing facilities in the country that offer both indoor climbing and bouldering.

In addition to the rock climbing walls, there are also yoga classes everyday and a weight training room specifically geared towards climbers. For instance, the equipment helps strengthen the major muscles involved in climbing movements, such as calves, abdominals and forearms.

An all-day pass allows visitors to come and go throughout the day at their own leisure. For Geremy Stovall, a lounge regular since its opening, the pass allows him to make a whole day out of the place.

“I love going there for the all day pass so I can climb, work out and meet great new people,” Stovall said.

A special student discount is offered every Thursday. For $10, a student gets to rent a pair of climbing shoes and has all day access to the gym. All-day passes are available daily and cost $12 for students and kids and $16 for adults.