Facing fears: An indoor rock climbing adventure in Hamilton

As a parent, I've tackled many "mountains": the laundry mountain, the dish mountain, and even the formidable Mount Stinky in my boys' shared bedroom. But none of these domestic heights prepared me for the "epic" ascent of Hamilton's indoor rock climbing wall—which, I might add, is endearingly modest in size—at Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park.

First off, let's set the scene. Hamilton's indoor rock climbing wall isn't exactly Everest. In fact, it's more like a slightly ambitious hill—perfect for novices or anyone who breaks into sweat at the sight of a stepladder. As I approached the wall for the first time, I had to stifle a laugh. Here it was, the great challenge I had psyched myself up for, and yet there were kids of all sizes effortlessly scaling it as if it were an ordinary playground structure.

The challenge, however, wasn't just about scale—it was about overcoming fear. And as any good comedic adventure goes, mine began with a wildly overconfident swagger up to the wall, followed by the sudden realization that even modestly sized walls look bigger up close. I could almost hear the wall whispering, "Think you’re up for this, land dweller?"

Decked out in what can only be described as my emergency gym outfit—complete with paint-splattered shorts and a shirt that had seen better days even before I bought it at a thrift shop—I was a sight. As I stood there, second-guessing my choice to attempt indoor rock climbing, I remembered the oddly profound, somewhat nonsensical quote from my middle child: “Even snails get to the playground if they really want.”

Ascending Hamilton's indoor rock climbing wall

Climbing may sound simple. You just go up, right? Well, not exactly. My first attempt to ascend was less 'graceful ascent' and more 'floundering fish on a hook.' My hands, slick with what I hoped was just sweat, slipped off the holds as if they were greased. Below, my kids howled with laughter, their cheers sounding suspiciously like giggles of amusement.

Determined not to be outdone by a piece of recreational equipment, I reset my grip. "This is it," I muttered under my breath. Up I went, hand over hand, finding my rhythm. The top, which had seemed so modest from the ground, now felt like a proper summit as I reached it with a dramatic final heave.

The view from the top was... well, it was the ceiling of the trampoline park. But for those few moments, it felt like the peak of the world. I had conquered not just the wall, but also my fear (and the family expectation of a full two minutes without making a fool of myself).

In the end, my great climbing adventure lasted all of five minutes, but the laughter and stories will undoubtedly endure at least a few more days (if I’m lucky). Hamilton's Flying Squirrel certainly offers a high-altitude experience in family fun and humility.

Would I climb again? Absolutely. The wall might not be tall, but the challenge is real and the laughs are guaranteed. Plus, there’s something to be said about showing your kids that it’s okay to look a bit silly sometimes—especially when you’re hanging several feet above a pit of foam cubes, cheered on by your biggest fans.

So, if you're looking for a bit of family fun that involves more giggles than gasps, Hamilton's indoor rock climbing experience at Flying Squirrel is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Ready for a climb? Grabbing tickets is a breeze—just visit the Flying Squirrel website or check in at the front desk to start your adventure!