I don't get to come here enough but really wish I could as this place really is as good as what some of the comments on here would have you believe. I do nothing other than bouldering yet so cant comment on route setting for anything else but the problems in the bouldering room are brilliant and tend to have you pushing grades because even hard routes seem plausible. Typically the music is good, it is rarely far too hot like many walls and the staff are trying VERY hard to make people feel welcome. They have gone as far as trying to learn the names of everyone, even us who might only go once a week. There isn't much to climb when you live around northampton but this place makes up for it brilliantly. Shame a cruel twist of fate made me turn down a job that is effectively 2 minutes away or I could live here.
Just been down to the wall, great days climbing. Worked on some awesome routes. Plenty to work on, if you get board at this wall, your not trying hard enough. I have to mention about the negative comments posted the other day, WHATS UP WITH YOU. This is a great place to climb; all the staff are working really hard to make this place work, so we all have a fantastic place to climb indoors all year round.
Really liked the new routes today, including the ones by Steve McClure. Really cool sequences that flow well. :)
Not sure what the comment below is all about with the negativity, staff are all very friendly. Regarding the grade tags - they might be waiting for opinions on the grades of the new routes before actually grading them, who cares about grade tags anyway?
Love the wall guys!
Awesome comp held the other week, not sure what this kid is on-Ste Mac routes where the stuff of dreams! Tricky sequences, interesting movement all without being desperate! :-)
Penny, Andy and Tom are some of the nicest people you could meet at a wall! Wilf's burgers where even well cooked on the day!
Thanks guyes, sine me up for the next one...
It's a shame that they don't seem to be able to put the grades on the new routes. It has been over a week since the new routes were put up and there is nothing - it's not difficult to label them. Also have noticed that the staff are far less friendly these days - downright miserable - with exception of one or two. The climbing is good but to be honest I don't think the ones set by Steve McClure are a patch on those by Alex Fry.
Amazing to have a wall this good in Northamptonshire (aka the barren wasteland of climbing). Just tried the bouldering - excellent dedicated bouldering room with well set routes. Very friendly staff as well.
yorkshire-hamster
5 Jan, 2011
Agree that some of the top ropes are too long, and annoying to move out of the way so you can lead climb, but other than that I love the place. The climbs are varied and of a decent length. Plenty of boxes, aretes, overhangs, slabs and straight wall.
Penny also makes a mean cup of tea, and if there's not to many people in (and your taste is good) they'll play your iPod through the sound system.
tomas houston
13 Dec, 2010
Pinnacle is brilliant. Glad to see they're doing well in their first 6 months. really impressed by the amount of effort they put in to minimising the heating problem. great routes. apparently get updated every 6 months and the bouldering room every 6 weeks. kept their promises so far.great training area and shop and cafe. i got pretty luck with a local climbing wall!
Did a 70 mile round trip to go climbing here, instead of popping into my local wall where I have a membership. Will definitely be doing the same again!
Awesome wall, with a really good range of problems on loads of different angles in the bouldering wall, and really interesting looking lines in the main rooms.
Tea's pretty good too!
glad to see they are doing their best to keep it good in the winter months, they have brought in a couple of heaters to take the chill of the bouldering room and main climbing area, had a great time climbing there today.
Good to see the wall staff are doing there jobs and watching for safe practise, keep it up guys! (I've seen people dropped at other walls by people who are convinced they can belay!!!)
Very good centre great walls bouldering area and training room. though I must agree that the staff were patronising and one actually stood in the middle of the room watching us on our first visit! extremely offputting. Despite this most of the top ropes are actually far longer then they need to be so before you climb you need to move several different ropes out the way so your belayer doesn't have trip hazards all around. If it wasn't for the fact that the routes and bouldering are so good, it would be enough to stop us going again. Great centre shame about some of the staff.
An excellent wall. Good variety of lead walls with plenty of tope ropes placed for those that need them. Great bouldering area with plenty of good routes. No features on walls, though and no lockers in the lead wall area. Staff over zealous on safety and on our first visit intrusive and patronising. Led to bad atmosphere and ruined our climb. Would go back again definately, just avoid some of the staff!
Just been to the wall today after finding out about it bieng there about a week ago. Real nice place to climb, nice route setting and staff couldnt be any nice got a cup of tea while filling out the forms, couldnt ask for more. need to get the word out that theres a wall in northampton. oh and its £5 for lunch time boulder!
finally a real climbing wall thats not an hours drive away! This is a fantastic venue, the routes are really good,they make you think and there is so much to do.The people are very friendly, staff and patrons alike.It's worth a visit
Lovin it! Brilliant for beginners like me and my daughters, with some amazing routes for us to aspire to. Everyone is friendly and helpful, and the comfy chairs to relax, chat, and watch the experts from are an added bonus. On your own, or with family or friends, a fabulous facility for everyone.
What a fantastic venue for novices and experienced climbers, there is something for everyone. Its the best thing to hit Northampton!!! Staff are really friendly and always available if you need a hand or some advice about how to do a difficult move ! Worth a visit even just for their cakes!
What has been created here is unbeliveable there is such a variety of routes that you just don't find at any other indoor wall it's not just flat slabs so you have routes that everyone can enjoy from the begineer to the hardcore and even when you aren't climbing you can just relax while watching others climb or chat with the staff. There is a real community spirit and sense of fun that i haven't found anywhere else in the country. If you haven't been to this wall you really are missing something.
Am not the most experience of climbers but I have been to a few indoor walls and the Pinnacle is by far the best. The routes a great for all types of climbers, the bouldering is fantastic and you can even sit and relax, have a coffee and cake after or even a beer. The best thing is it's only a short drive from my house, my annual membership will be put to good use with this facility.
This is a dream come true, an (extensive) indoor wall in my area!
I'm loving the climbing at the Pinnacle, there are plenty of imaginative routes for beginners and experienced climbers alike.
Thank god ! no more long drives to an indoor wall.
This has to be one of the best indoor wall i've been to. The routes setting is very good and offers a lot of different skills.
All staff are very welcoming, it nice to go somewhere and they remember your name.
Can even have a cup of tea and cake.