First Ascent West Loop

First Ascent in the West Loop

First Ascent West Loop occupies the building at 100 S Morgan St, on the corner of Morgan and Monroe, that opened in December 2014 as Brooklyn Boulders Chicago. That gym has since closed, and First Ascent, a climbing chain founded in Chicago, reopened the space as one of its five Chicago gyms, with a grand opening on 28 February 2026.

Climbing

There are about 20,000 sq ft of climbing terrain on walls up to 50 ft tall, with roped climbing (auto-belays, top rope and lead) as well as bouldering, and more than 90 routes and 100 boulders from beginner to expert level. Climbs are logged on the KAYA app. For training there are campus boards, hangboards and a Kilter Board. Experienced climbers can take a free top-rope or lead belay check, and every newcomer starts with a short facility and safety orientation.

Fitness and facilities

• Yoga studio with more than 20 classes a week
• Fitness area with 10 cardio machines, over 4,000 lb of free weights and functional training kit
• Locker rooms with showers
• Workspace with free Wi-Fi

Day passes and 10 Passes include the yoga classes and fitness area, and memberships work at every First Ascent gym. The gym is about ten minutes' walk from the UIC-Halsted Blue Line and Morgan Green and Pink Line stations, just off the Kennedy Expressway.