Category: LCC News

Wooden Mountain becomes Loveland Climbing Collective

Posted on by Aaron

We’re excited to announce that beginning January 1, 2023 Wooden Mountain in Loveland will become Climbing Collective at Loveland. This is the first step in our growth plans that will give Climbing Collective members even more value. That’s because, in the new year, existing members of Longmont Climbing Collective and Wooden Mountain will have access to both gyms all for the same price as their current membership.

We want to thank Adam Lum, Brian Stefanovic, Evan Mann and the entire Wooden Mountain staff for operating such a great bouldering gym in Loveland since 2018. There’s so much to love about that gym and we’re sure that you’ll see why when you visit for the first time.

By now you probably know that there are several other exciting things happening for the Northern Colorado Climbing community. The new Longmont gym is being built as we speak. As you’re driving west on Ken Pratt from I-25 you’ll start to see the new gym building go up very soon. The brand new facility will have everything that Longmont Climbing Collective members have come to enjoy, but there will also be lots of roped climbing including a 50 foot tall outdoor wall with a fabulous view of the mountains. If that wasn’t enough, we’re very close to finalizing a deal to open a third gym in Greeley. Stay tuned for progress updates on all three locations in Longmont, Loveland and Greeley.

Introducing Greeley Climbing Collective

Posted on by Aaron

You probably already know about the brand new Longmont Climbing Collective facility on Ken Pratt Boulevard across from Sandstone Ranch that we're planning to open next summer. In case you haven't heard about that new and expanded world-class facility, you can read more about it here - https://www.longmontclimbingcollective.com/info/the-new-lcc/.

But that's not all we have planned for next year. Based on the incredible success we've had building a Longmont climbing community, LCC has decided to open a second location in Greeley, Colorado. We’ve signed an initial agreement for a property in Greeley and are just finalizing the designs to ensure that we can offer the same great service in both locations. Here's the most exciting part - your LCC membership will entitle you to train and climb in both locations! In Greeley, you can look forward to 10,000-15,000 feet of bouldering and rope climbing as well as most of the benefits that you're used to at LCC. These benefits include:

  • Fitness center
  • Yoga room
  • Locker room
  • Retail climbing shop
  • Adjustable training boards
  • Outdoor food truck venue
  • Partnership discounts with a variety of local favorites

While we're still formalizing the plans for Greeley, we already have a great design to renovate an existing building and we wanted to share this sneak peek with you.

We're still finalizing the design so if you've got ideas or suggestions, we'd love to hear them! We hope that you are as excited as we are to expand climbing opportunities on the Front Range. Thank you very much for your continued support.

Longmont Climbing Collective breaks ground on new gym

Posted on by Aaron

Written by Macie May of the Longmont Leader

The owners expect the new facility will open in the summer of 2023

Before the Longmont Climbing Collective took up its current home at 33 S. Pratt Pkwy, it faced a series of trials just to get started. While the owners predict life will continue to throw them curve balls, they took a moment to celebrate a momentous moment.

In 2008, the economics at the time prevented the six co-owners from getting a loan said Bryan Hylenski. A problem that was resolved by 2013.

At that point, a location was set, a loan secured and the business was all set to take off. Then the 2013 flood raged through the area, once again postponing the dream.

Through the hardships, the six owners never gave up hope and were rewarded when they were able to open the climbing facility on Pratt Parkway in 2018.

The current facility is 13,500 sq ft and primarily hosts an indoor bouldering gym.

Despite seeing part of the dream come true, Hylenski said his true dream has always been to open a full-service gym with rope and bouldering offerings.

On Monday, the crew, family and friends saw the first step to that coming to fruition. The Longmont Climbing Collective broke ground on a 24,000 sq ft gym.

“It’s been two years in the making … It’s been one of the hardest things we have ever had to do,” Hylenski said.

The new space is located on Pinnacle Avenue and Colo 119. It will feature 60- to 70-foot indoor climbing routes, speed climbing walls, sauna and hot tub, 800 square feet of designated training area, an outdoor patio for yoga and fitness classes, retail space, a cafe and a self-serve taproom.

Additionally, LCC is hoping to utilize its outdoor space for local events.

The project is estimated to take 10 months and the team is hoping for a June 1 opening to kick off a busy time of year.

For Helenski, the journey has been like climbing a new mountain, failing often but never giving up. For him and the crew, the mood of the day was excitement about their ascension of this particular mountain.

Longmont Climbing Collective Climbs to New Heights

Posted on by Aaron

Written by Ali May of the Longmont Leader

The climbing company hopes to break ground on its 24,000 square foot development designed by Lodestone Design Group at Pinnacle Avenue and C0 119 in the next few weeks.

The Longmont Climbing Collective, a local indoor bouldering gym started by three families, is planning a major expansion with one — possibly two — new locations. The upgrade will introduce rope climbing, a taproom and other fitness programs beyond climbing.

The climbing company hopes to break ground on its 24,000 square foot development designed by Lodestone Design Group at Pinnacle Avenue and Colo 119 in the next few weeks, said CEO and founder Bryan Hylenski. The facility was approved for construction by Longmont City Council in December 2021 after a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission. At this time, Hylenski said he's patiently waiting for a construction permit to break ground and aiming for a fall 2022 or winter 2023 opening date.

When the LCC, currently a roughly 13,500 square foot gym at 33 South Pratt Parkway, opened in 2018 it already planned on sizing up. Hylensk said he originally wanted a full-service gym with rope and bouldering offerings, but finding a large enough space and enough funding at the time wasn’t in the cards.

“There's really no buildings Longmont that have 50-foot high ceilings, so we knew we'd have to build one,” Hylenski said.

Bouldering, a type of rock climbing without ropes, is a lot lower than climbing on walls with ropes. After a few years of operating as a bouldering-only climbing gym, the LCC is ready to build the facility they envisioned.

The gym will sit on 12 acres of land with views of the Rockies. Its planned features include 60- to 70-foot indoor climbing routes, speed climbing walls, sauna and hot tub, 800 square feet of designated training area, an outdoor patio for yoga and fitness classes, retail space, a cafe and a self-serve taproom.

A 50-foot outdoor rock wall with an overhead roof will double as an event space. The LCC hopes its facility can be about more than fitness and also attract event and concert-goers, hosting gatherings and food trucks on its land.

“We're also going to have an outdoor wall that has a roof over it and it opens up to five acres of beautiful grass, farmland that has views of the mountains,” Hylenski said. “And so that will allow us to not only host events, but also just have an area where people can come with their dogs and kids and not be so compressed inside of a building where there's chalk in the air and people running around and on top of each other.”

Though there is a lot going on in the planned gym, LCC co-founder Mack Maier is looking forward to the most is the rope climbing.

“That's something that we've never had before and it's an offering that the community really wants. I personally really want it,” Maier said, adding he’s also excited to upgrade the fitness class space. “We've got a really small — it's really functional — but we have a really small fitness area and I'm really excited to get a much-improved fitness area.”

After the new LCC is built, Hylenski said, the current location will eventually close in the years following the opening. He added that they will move the bouldering walls to another Colorado city, letting the new LCC be its Longmont flagship. Though he can’t share details yet about the deal or what the real estate will be used for, Hylenksi said the climbing company is in the process of buying a building in Greeley.

Strongmont Sends – Results and Highlights

Posted on by patrick

Thank you for showing up, climbing hard, and having fun with us at Strongmont Sends! Our first bouldering comp of the year was a massive success and we're looking forward to many more. Below you'll find the final scores for all competitors, plus access to our full photo Strongmont Sends photo album!

See all photos

V0-V3

  1. Hee Young Yi - 1800 (won by 3 attempts)
  2. Amy Chan - 1800
  3. Rachel Rockenfeller - 1800 (1 attempt)
  4. Michael New - 1800
  5. Brittany Spomer - 1800
  6. Jessica Hall - 1600
  7. Prachi Patel - 1600
  8. Kyle Williams - 1500
  9. Maitreya Rose - 1200
  10. Cassandra Gilbert - 950
  11. Trevor Pitcher - 700
  12. Chloe Gilbert - 450
Novice Podium

V4-V7

  1. Grace Ryan - 3900 (won by 2 attempts)
  2. Noah Dede - 3900
  3. Carson MacGee - 3700
  4. Kestrel Pikiewicz/Joe Cohen/Ryan Hunt - 3000
  5. Evan Meyers - 3000
  6. Caroline Wickes - 3000
  7. Ben Reinold - 2900
  8. Josh Garfein - 2700
  9. Jonathan Swavely - 2700
  10. Ryan Siebring/Dan Raymond/Emerson McIntosh - 2600
  11. Sam Ridley - 2600
  12. Kacey Minear - 2600
  13. Devin DeScenza - 2550
  14. Donovan Bosley - 2400
  15. Lauren Chavez/Emma Bamford - 2300
  16. Marguerite Pankey - 2300
  17. Camden Fligg - 2300
  18. Amelia Christy - 2300
  19. Abby Armstrong/John Bacovcin - 2200
  20. Haidyn Ogg - 2200
  21. Matthew Miller - 2200
  22. Sterling Becvar - 2200
Intermediate Podium

V8+

  1. Derek New - 5700 (won by 3 attempts)
  2. Jack Martinus - 5700
  3. Samuel Peccoud -5300
  4. Marc Akbar - 5100
  5. Alex Johnson - 4900
  6. Clint Sciacca - 4800
  7. Noah Cross - 4800
  8. Hayden Pugh - 4800
  9. Devon Smart/Travis Johnson - 4800
  10. Gabe Krzykwa - 4800
  11. Ryne Silver - 4500
  12. Jack Hunsaker - 4500
  13. Reed Garfein - 3900
  14. Justin Discar - 3800
  15. Nicole Miswell - 3650
  16. Aaron Burns - 1800
Advanced Podium

Thanks to all of our sponsors - Butora, 8BPlus, Club Pilates, Jefe's, Longmont Bicycle Company, Red Hammer Rehab, The Roost, Warrior Playground, Spumoni Creamery, Simply Bulk Market, and Trango - plus the DJ's, competitors, and everyone else who made this thing happen!

Updates to our Mask Policy

Posted on by patrick

Beginning Thursday, May 20, masks are not required for LCC guests who have received the vaccine, in accordance with the most current CDC guidelines.

Masks are still required for all LCC staff, kids participating in our climbing programs, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated.

Social distancing is still encouraged, especially for those who are not fully vaccinated, and we will continue to use our existing screening questions in case contract tracing is needed.

We will continue to follow the guidance of the CDC and local health officials. If you have questions, please email [email protected]

Thanks for keeping us #Strongmont!

Meet the Ladies Behind LCC

Posted on by Aaron

March is Women's History Month and we’d like to introduce you to some of the #LadiesBehindLCC that have devoted themselves to bettering our community.

Shauna Hylenski

Q: What's your role at LCC?

A: Founder, Program Director, Yoga Instructor, Mom (unofficially)

Q: How have you helped the LCC community?

A: I think I help bring a balanced perspective to our programs and business. I have an education background as well as being a dance and yoga teacher for the last 10 years. I love how our business blends climbing, yoga and fitness and how they all support each other - just like our community. I'm really proud that at LCC we have created a culture of mutual respect and support between employees, teachers, coaches and leaders which feels pretty amazing all around.⠀

Q: Any big goals for 2021? Personal or related to the gym.⠀

A: One of my goals is to continue to learn and practice the harmonium and kirtan singing. I started this during the pandemic and have totally fallen in love. I'm thankful to my Tuesday Night yoga students for being my "sivasana audience" (no one has gotten up to leave - yet). I am also really excited to start teaching Advanced Teacher Training again. We lead our first round at Shri Studios in 2019/2020 and are getting ready to launch another training in September of 2021.

Q: Are there any women who inspire you, in or out of LCC, that you'd like to give a shout-out to?

A: My daughter Hana constantly inspires me with her caring and authentic nature. I very much admire Janet Stone who is a beloved teacher and powerful force in the yoga world. I also need to show some love to our amazing yoga teachers. Gina Matranga, Amanda Rabatin, Kylie O'Connor, Heather Hottovy, Lyndsi Fajkus and Kevin Flynn. These teachers created some serious, steady ground for our community during the pandemic closer and beyond. I am so incredibly grateful for them and their love and dedication to Shri and LCC.

Kylie O’Connor

Q: What's your role at LCC?

A: Yoga Instructor and Trainer

Q: How have you helped the LCC community?

A: I believe that I bring a unique approach to my teaching and training that not only promotes body awareness but that encourages that often lost sense of “play” and exploration.

The supportive, encouraging and authentic nature of this community are what make this not only possible- but FUN.

Q: Any big goals for 2021? Personal or related to the gym.

A: My goal for 2021 is to keep with the ability to evolve and adapt that we all began to master in 2020. I strive to continue to learn, grow and improve in my ability to provide the best training and teaching experience possible for my students/clients. I hope to find even more ways to share the movement and mobility styles that I am so passionate about. A personal goal is to continue to grow my small wood working business and do more wood burning projects!

Q: Are there any women who inspire you, in or out of LCC, that you'd like to give a shout-out to?

A: I honestly couldn’t name just a couple if I tried. All of the women of LCC deserve a shout out. It is a constant source of motivation to see so many strong and dedicated women within one community. I'm inspired daily by my fellow team members here and grateful for the powerful energy they project!

Meagan Campbell

Q: What's your role at LCC?

A: Director of Customer Service & Retail Operations

Q: How have you helped the LCC community?

A: I've done pretty much every job at LCC - taught yoga, taught fitness classes, painted walls, coached kids, vacuumed mats… But now I mostly help to bridge the gap between our members and the rest of the management team, to advocate for the needs and wishes of our community. I love that a huge part of my job is hanging out and getting to know our people! I ensure that our team is prepared to give everyone that walks in the door the best experience possible. But most importantly - I'm responsible for providing the sweet, sweet brews upstairs!

Q: Any big goals for 2021? Personal or related to the gym.

A: I always have climbing and fitness goals - besides my ever-growing list of routes to do this year I'd also love to see how many lines I can lead on only tricams, just for the tomfoolery of it all. Professionally I'm excited to work on our social mission with Shauna, creating more avenues for people to enjoy our gym. 2020 was about survival for LCC, and I look forward to 2021 being about thriving and growing.

Q: Are there any women who inspire you, in or out of LCC, that you'd like to give a shout-out to?

A: The list is so long - all the badass female climbers that are kicking butt and taking names in a sport that's still male-dominated, all the moms of the world (the hardest and most important job!), but most of all I'm grateful for my friends that continually help me find my own voice and way in the world by being loud and proud in their own voices.

Christine Vadovszki

Q: What's your role at LCC?

Head Climbing Coach of Youth Team, Performance Climbing Coach for classes/private clients

Q: How have you helped the LCC community?⠀

A: I've been a part of LCC's coaching team since the very beginning and have coached everything from Kinder Club to our competitive team to advanced adult classes.

Q: Any big goals for 2021? Personal or related to the gym.

A: I am always working to grow as a climber, coach and person. I have some outdoor sport climbing projects I hope to put down this year.

Q: Are there any women who inspire you, in or out of LCC, that you'd like to give a shout-out to?⠀

A: All of my female friends inspire me.

LCC is now 5 Star Certified

Posted on by Aaron

Longmont Climbing Collective is proud to be announced as one of Boulder Counties first 5 Star Certified businesses for following enhanced COVID-19 protocols. The Colorado 5 Star State Certification Program enables businesses that meet enhanced safety guidelines to open at greater capacity. At this time, in order to be extra cautious, we’ve limited our capacity to 75 which is below what we’re legally able to do. This is a voluntary program is for businesses that have gone above and beyond to keep their communities safe. The certification involves 53 criteria and we are pleased to report that we scored a perfect 100%.

A recent article in The Longmont Leader features pictures of staff and members as well as Bryan Hylenski, LCC’s General Manager and Co-founder, talking about the program and what we’re doing to promote safety. Quoting from the article:

“The certification process was straightforward and the partners charged with the creation of the program have done an effective job, Hylenski said. ‘(Throughout the pandemic) I’ve dealt with the state, the state’s attorney office, the county, the city of Longmont, and hands down Boulder County and the committee that put this together... we’re working 24 hours a day to get this up and running,’ he said.”

We’re going to keep working to be 5 star certified, promote safety and expand capacity in carefully considered way in accordance with the guidelines. If you want to read more about our safety protocols click here. Finally, and most importantly, as a member of our community, we want to thank you for supporting the gym and following the safety guidelines. We couldn’t do this with YOU!

5 star certified

Rent part of LCC for your “COVID bubble”

Posted on by Aaron

We want our facility to be a resource for groups and families in Longmont. The facility is normally available for events, but during COVID we’re not able to host large groups for obvious reasons. But we can help family and friends climb together in a space all their own. So we’re offering two hour sessions where you can climb, unwind and have fun within your COVID-bubble.

YOUR RENTAL SESSION INCLUDES:
Access to our auto-belay climbing area for a family or group (up to 4 people)
Climbing shoes for everyone
Climbing harness for auto-belays
Use of one of our private party rooms
Access to the ninja course (weekends only)

FEES:
Climbing (weekdays and weekends) – $65.  Plus $10 per person up to a maximum of 8.
Climbing + Ninja (weekends only) – $85.  Plus $12 per person up to a maximum of 8.

Optional add-ons:
$50 for 2 hours of climbing coaching coaching / $65 for climbing and ninja coaching (weekends only)
Access to our full facility for climbing, training and fitness $25 for a group of 4

Call 720-340-3640 or email [email protected] to schedule your private climbing session.

Welcome Erin Doyle – LCC’s newest bouldering coach

Posted on by Aaron

After moving to Colorado Springs from Northern New Mexico in his early teens, Erin began his life-changing ascent through the adventures of climbing on the famous, albeit somewhat chossy, red sandstone pinnacles in the Garden of the Gods. When climbing gyms were not a thing, Erin found creative ways to climb every day by setting up a less than sophisticated way of top roping the stone chimney of the family house or bolting rocks and poorly molded Bondo “climbing holds” to the side of the tree house. After discovering a primitive climbing gym in The Springs in the early 90’s, and enjoying a short career in the competitive circuit, Erin took part in coaching the youth team, teaching individuals the nuances of vertical movement, as well as some outdoor guiding. When it came time to “get a real job,” Erin started a career as a wildland firefighter in 2002 after being evacuated from the Hayman Fire that devastated Colorado and has been fighting fires around the country ever since. Erin has spent much time on the granite big walls of Yosemite, the overhanging limestone caves of Greece, and everywhere in between. Erin’s passion is watching the flame grow in peoples’ spirits as they begin their journey in climbing and bouldering. His mantra for people just starting out in the sport, as they nurse forearms so fatigued that gripping the steering wheel to drive home becomes potentially problematic, is “Welcome to your new addiction!”

He’s currently teaching the Intro to Bouldering Class.  It starts Monday, March 4th at 6:30 PM and runs on Monday’s for 4 weeks.  You can sign up here – http://bit.ly/2Th7anm-LCC