Erik Laracuente // West Caldwell, NJ
When did you build your wall?
At the start of the pandemic.
How long did it take you to build?
It took me a couple of very long days.
Not including holds and padding, how much did it cost you to build?
Absolutely zero. I got all my plywood and 2×4’s second hand. All for free.
Did anything in particular inspire your wall design?
I was diagnosed with extreme high blood pressure and almost died last year. Climbing has been the one thing in my life that has kept me healthy both mentally and physically. I had no choice but to build a home a wall to keep myself healthy.
What was the most difficult aspect of the design and build?
Fitting it into my basement Which has extremely low ceilings. Most ceilings are about 8 feet and for some reason mine is 7 feet tall. I also don’t have too many exposed beams to screw into so I had to be very careful with my design.
What would you do differently?
I would have built it in my garage. Although my garage is a humongous mess I should have taken the time to clean it and would have ended up with a much larger wall but taller and wider.
What is your favorite aspect?
My favorite aspect of my wall is the angle. I set it at 15° which challenges me to be very creative with my old placement.
Any words of wisdom to aspiring homewallers?
I would say take your time and plan. Once you get your wall up it’s very difficult to change it around especially if you’re limited by space. So take your time and plan every little detail down to the last screw.
Do you have any connection to climbing brands or gyms?
I am a member at New Jersey Rock Gym. Best gym in NJ!
