Humble Beginnings

The idea of a community based training facility is not a new one.  Inspiration for this model is commonly attributed to the world famous School Room in Sheffield, England where local climbers (known as the Peak Mafia) became "fed up of travelling to once popular outdoor training grounds where good conditions could not be always be found, and for a select few the problems were all too easy."  In 1993, their dream to have "several wooden boards all set at different angles, covered in holds, some big but most small, and always dry" became a reality.

In the winter of 2007, friends Pete Ward, Chris Fowler and Colin Hoyt hit the road, determined to get away from the blistering cold of the Northeast.  Somewhere along the way, struggling on insignificant pebbles in the middle of Utah, the idea hit them: we need a true climbing training facility back home.  

But one question remained: can our community support a cooperatively created, maintained and funded climbing gym?  And we answered YES.  In the fall of 2007, with the backing from an incredible group, construction began on THE EL DOJO.  (apparently modern photographic technology didn't exists yet?)

Over the years, the Dojo community has grown.  Literally THOUSANDS of climbers have walked through these doors.  Even our buddy Joey Kinder stopped in a did a little piece back in the day.

Here we are today: A strong community, grateful to the hard work of those who helped developed this facility.  Our members climb inside, outside, our gym, other gyms, at home and away.  We are an open community dedicated to being the best possible climbers.