Flagstaff Climbing is an indoor rock climbing facility located in historic downtown Flagstaff a few blocks north of the university. Lead climbing, top roping and bouldering on over 7,000 square feet of varied terrain make Flagstaff Climbing a great place to train and learn. The gear shop carries all the equipment climbers need and climbing guide books for destinations throughout the west. All Flagstaff Climbing employees are experienced climbers and love to share their enthusiasm and knowledge about climbing.

Flagstaff Climbing opened their doors in September 1995 (as Vertical Relief Climbing Center). Founded by two local climbers Stan Mish and Tomas Robison and with the help of a great crew the gym quickly became a staple for Northern Arizona climbers. Flagstaff climbers enjoy great year round climbing, but many soon realized the benefits of having an indoor facility to improve their climbing. Area children received a great opportunity to learn a new activity that challenges them mentally and physically. In 2003, long time employee, John Doskicz acquired the business. In 2012, Vertical Relief Climbing Center changed it’s name to Flagstaff Climbing.

Staff at Flagstaff Climbing continue to work hard to provide a comfortable place to climb, quality routes, high quality instruction and sage advice on equipment purchases and local climbing.

Flagstaff Climbing thanks everyone who has ever worked at, climbed in and supported the gym. Your continued support has made a positive difference in many people’s lives. Come on down and check out your friendly neighborhood rock gym!

Flagstaff Climbing is located at 205 S. San Francisco St, Flagstaff AZ, 86001. Cross streets are San Francisco and Benton. View Map

OUR STAFF

John started climbing in 1990, learning the ropes on routes in the Shawangunks of New York. He moved to flagstaff in June of 1995 to re-enroll in school somewhere that offered great year round rock climbing. A few months later he began working at Flagstaff Climbing Center. He obtained a B.S. in Biology/ Secondary Education from NAU in 1999. John is a certified Single Pitch Instructor and Climbing Wall Instructor Program Director for the AMGA. John’s favorite climbs are remote, adventurous and shared with a good friend. When John isn’t busy running working, he can be found sharing his serious addiction for adventure with his wife and two daughters.

Zak started climbing in 1995 when Flagstaff Climbing first opened. He grew up in Flagstaff and continued his education, earning a Business Marketing degree from Northern Arizona University. Zak has been working at Flagstaff Climbing since 2001 and currently runs the retail shop and route setting program. When Zak isn’t at work, you can find him with his wife Rachael climbing or running in the great Flagstaff outdoors or training for an upcoming bouldering competition. The excitement of what Flagstaff has to offer has kept him in his home town for almost 30 years and he is excited to continue to work with Flagstaff Climbing and the local community to keep creating a great place to live.

Jason started climbing in 1992; learning to climb at the sea cliffs of the San Juan Islands, mountains of the Cascades and the world famous walls of Squamish, Canada. After a few years of battling the wet conditions in the northwest, Jason decided to move to a sunnier location to pursue his climbing full time. After traveling around the southwest on an extended climbing trip, he fell in love with and made his home in Flagstaff and started working at Flagstaff Climbing Center as a route setter. He has now lived in Flagstaff and worked at Flagstaff Climbing Center for over a decade and holds the title of Marketing and Membership Director. When Jason isn’t at the gym spewing beta at his climbing friends he is off running remote trails, exploring and developing new route potential and climbing at every developed crag he can get his hands on with his wife, Susan.

Chris started rock climbing in Michigan in 1998. After earning a B.S. in Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management from Northern Michigan University, he decided the winters were too much for him and moved to Flagstaff. He currently works as the Education Director for Flagstaff Climbing Center and is the Head Guide for Flagstaff Climbing Guides. In 2007 he earned his Rock Instructor Certification from the AMGA and is now an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Program Director. When Chris isn’t teaching or guiding, he can be found climbing, paragliding and exploring across the southwest.

Jeff began his climbing addiction in 2005 through a university course. His lifestyle quickly changed to allow him to climb full time. Jeff started out mostly bouldering but has progressed to a focus on long, difficult multi-pitch trad routes. He is truly a ‘jack of all trades’ being extremely well versed in all avenues of climbing. Jeff splits his time at work as the Youth Program Coordinator for Flagstaff Climbing Center and guiding or teaching people of all ages outside. When Jeff isn’t working, you will find him climbing, walking highlines or exploring wild places with his dog Chaco.

Megan started climbing in 2009 while studying abroad in New Zealand. From the moment she topped out her first boulder problem at Castle Hill she was hooked. After returning to the University of Arizona from her semester abroad she continued to pursue climbing and quickly transitioned from bouldering to sport climbing and traditional climbing. In 2011 Megan graduated from the University of Arizona and moved to Mammoth Lakes, CA to be a ski instructor for a season. After the snow melted she decided to move to Flagstaff and started working at Flagstaff Climbing Center while taking prerequisite classes for nursing school. Megan is now the head instructor of the women’s classes and works as an outdoor guide. When Megan is not at work she can be found climbing, mountain biking, skiing or exploring with her dog Juniper.

Tyler started climbing in the fall of 2005, being a 12 year old kid with nothing to do, he stepped foot into the climbing gym and joined the local climbing team. In the winter of 2009 he broke his wrist snowboarding and started volunteering with the youth programs. That summer he became an employee of Flagstaff Climbing Center. Continuing into the school year, Tyler kept helping out with scramblers climbing team. As time progressed he took over running the scramblers climbing team. In December of 2011 Tyler took the Climbing Wall Instructor Course, and became certified by the AMGA. When Tyler isn’t slaving away at the Flagstaff Climbing Centre you can find him on the mountain shredding the gnar.

Jack was introduced to rock climbing through his uncle in the summer of 2007. His first experience with the sport was at the local crag, The Overlook. After one top rope he was hooked and the next day dragged his mom down to Flagstaff Climbing Center to buy him a summer membership. His passion for climbing continued up to and through high school, during which he was a member of the local climbing team. The climbing team coach, Jeff Snyder, encouraged many adventures that took Jack around the West to a variety of climbing areas. Jack  is now attending Northern Arizona University and splits his time climbing, procrastinating homework and long-boarding through campus.

Lexi Keene grew up in Flagstaff and participated in the Flagstaff Climbing Team from an early age. Now, as she works her way through high school, Lexi has grown into a position of employment at Flagstaff Climbing Center and instructs for a variety of youth programs at the gym.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily first began climbing in 1996 after moving to Arizona from the Yukon Territories in Canada. Climbing was just a summer sport until moving to California’s Eastern Sierra; Skiing powder, hiking humbling mountains, and boulder hopping was the focus. Fortunately a shattered ankle brought Emily back to Flagstaff to rehabilitate, to finish her degree in Parks and Recreation at NAU and to reconnect with the amazing headwalls of Arizona. While healing, Emily found focus at Flagstaff Climbing Center, and wanting to help teach future generations of climbers. After more than a year of volunteering, Emily couldn’t help but join the Flagstaff Climbing Center Family. Currently Emily helps teach the Intro to Climbing classes, and generates fun instructing  ’Scramblers’ and youth teams. Days spent away from the gym always involve climbing as well as yoga, mountain biking, and running her dog Roo through the sweet Flagstaff forest.