Nick Turner // Freedom, PA
When did you build your wall?
May 2020 – during the COVID pandemic
How long did it take you to build?
In total: ~5 days. Gathered all the material over a few days, built the woodwork in a day, setting holds for a few days
Not including holds and padding, how much did it cost you to build?
$75. I had leftover wood from a construction project that my company was going to trash and my girlfriend’s dad had some leftover 3/4” plywood from a renovation. I had to buy a few sheets of plywood and some screws.
Did anything in particular inspire your wall design?
|My local gym (State Climb in Culpeper, VA) has a cave, and given the limited space, I thought I could do a smaller recreation of it.
What was the most difficult aspect of the design and build?
The limited space and the need for it to be freestanding (at a rental spot). I also found route setting a challenge.
What would you do differently?
Higher quality plywood, invest in more T-bolts and just set them all in a grid to begin with instead of after the wall is up.
What is your favorite aspect?
The challenge and the learning experience! I learned so much more about climbing and the terminology and the proper way to do things from this build – it’s been really valuable.
Any words of wisdom to aspiring homewallers?
Take your time, measure twice cut once, and have fun with it! Your imagination can take you anywhere with it!
Do you have any connection to climbing brands or gyms?
Nope.
