PLASTIC PARADISE: ADVENTURE ROCK- Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Where is it?
21250 W Capitol Dr. Pewaukee, WI 53072

What’s in it?
Over 11,000 square feet of climbing surface, complete with sculpted arêtes, cracks, pockets, bulges and more. The 35-foot-tall walls offer 40 topropes and loads of lead climbing. In addition, there’s an 18-foot-tall indoor bouldering area, and plenty of outdoor bouldering, too. We also have year-round air conditioning and a large, separate party area.

Standout Feature?
Our massive overhang is an aweinspiring feature. It makes people trip on the carpet when they come in. It’s a 35- to 45-degrees overhanging, lead-only feature that teaches new climbers to lead and makes seasoned vets to want to pull plastic.

Any comps?
We participate in the ABS and SCS climbing series. Our prideand- joy comp is Quick on the Draw (aka “Q on the D”), which is held yearly, on the last weekend in January. We also host slide shows, fundraisers for the Red River Gorge Climber’s Coalition, and this year we had our first Everest Day (an Everestthemed adventure course where climbers climb indoor ice, set up tents in wind storms, melt snow and cook yak-flavored Ramen, and more).

Age Requirements?
Any age to climb, but 12 or older to belay.

Hours?
Mon-Sat: 10 am to 10 pm Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm (June-August we close at 8pm on Sat)

Contact?
Phone: 262-790-6800
www.adventurerock.com
info@adventurerock.com

THE LOCAL
Name: Joe Miller
Age: 39

What do you like most about the gym?
Just about every little thing there is quite frankly.

Is it clean?
Oh yeah.

Stylish routes?
You bet!

Friendly staff? Sweet as pie!

Hard climbs?
Make you weep openly.

Easy climbs?
My four-year-old can onsight some of the topropes (granted she is tough as nails — and in fact could probably out huck most of you).

When are the best times to go to Adventure Rock?
I like to go during the day because most of the tough climbers aren’t there. It makes me look better than I am. Nights are busy, though. Anytime during the long, cold Wisconsin winter there are bound to be quite a few climbers.

Any insider information we should know?
I’m not cool enough to know any, but there are rumors of a crafty little monkey (Mr. Chuckles) who comes out to play when folks are pulling down V8 and harder. You’d be surprised at how hard some locals from Wisconsin can climb.

Rate the gym on a scale of 1-10:
8-plus or 9-minus. The two bouldering areas are awesome, and not just some thrown together space wasters. One true bonus is the auto-belays, which provide lots of opportunities for quick warm-ups as well as some harder 5.11s and 5.12s.