{"word_count": 490, "character_count": 2635}
So, this is going to mark a new sort of posts here on our Bouldering Epigrammetry Blog - whenever we get the chance to visit and train in a new climbing hall, we will give you a very short experience-report on it.So, the first climbing centre "abroad" I have ever visited was the Vauxwall Climbing Centre (here you can find their website with all informations on prices, shoe loan, opening hours etc.).I tried to find a cimbing centre near to one of my major tube lines for reasons of not getting lost (I am quite an expert in getting lost in big cities you should know), and without any further thinking I decided for the Vauxwall West at Vauxhall.I had to registrate myself online (which you can do at the centre or at home before you go there), then I got some saftey questions asked, in order to assure the staff that I know about the main rules of indoor climbing. The Vauxwall West ist quite small, I think, but this may also be because of the building is full of nooks and crannies and you can wander around like in a little labyrinth. They have enough "wall space", showers and changing rooms, lockers for valuables and an area to rest and have a talk and a drink.I got confused with the levels of difficulty, just starting with the green boulders, thinking of back home, where green is the second level you can take. It worked out fine, because actually at Vauxwall West, this is the first level. ;) I was motivated and went for my next step, which back home is blue - but blue at Vauxwall West is orange with blue dots, so, I ended up wondering why this routes are so damned difficult... yeah, I was sitting in a room with inscriptions the whole day, I was not that well able to think. I finally noticed the table with the degree colours and started with the violet routes again, for violet is the second level. And I was really good, I have to say... ;)I felt really good and I enjoyed myself a lot. I even started some discussions with other people climbing, we tried some difficult routes together. It was really nice and despite the first sight that there will not be enough space, it was quite fine and worked out well.So, all in all, I really appreciated my two visits at the Vauxwall West, I had a good time and the staff was both times very helpful, friendly and qualified. When you are a first time customer, you will get 50% on your second visit's payment, which is also a very nice thing to have, because bouldering is one expensive type of sport to do in London, I am afraid...I look forward to visiting new climbing centers on my next stays - I do hope that I have the time. ;)Always remember: Keep going -Astrid