Charting the Route: A Problem Worth Solving

Charting the Route: A Problem Worth Solving

Charting the Route: A Problem Worth Solving

They say, "necessity is the mother of invention." For me, necessity was traveling frequently for work while trying to stay strong for climbing. Balancing the two felt impossible. Work trips often took me to rural areas where hotel gyms were, let’s say, “minimal.” Sure, I could squeeze in some cardio or light weights, but my hands—my critical tools for climbing—would go untrained until the weekend. And by then, I was busy playing with my kids or climbing outdoors.

I needed a solution. Something portable. Something effective. And something that would work in the unpredictable world of hotel rooms.

 

The Scouting Phase

Like any climber assessing a new route, I started scouting my options.

  • Sprinkler Pipes: In a dark stairwell, I found an exposed sprinkler pipe. It was sturdy enough to inspire hope but not confidence. I could imagine it snapping mid-pull and unleashing a flood. Definitely not an option.
  • Under-Desk Pull-Ups: I tried sitting under the desk in my room and doing pull-ups. It worked, sort of. But my legs dragged on the floor, making it less than ideal—and a little boring.
  • Portable Tools: Online, I discovered small hangboards that could hang from a rope. They looked promising, but they needed a strong fixed point. Unfortunately, not every hotel offered that kind of setup.
  • Expandable Pull-Up Bars: These were a step closer to what I needed. They could fit between door frames and support bodyweight pull-ups. But not all hotel doors had the right width, and I wasn’t confident they’d hold without damaging the frame.

Every idea fell short, but I wasn’t ready to give up.

 

The Seed of Invention

One day, as I scanned yet another uninspiring hotel room, I noticed something consistent: the metal door frames in the bathroom. Nearly every hotel had them, and they were surprisingly uniform in size.

I grabbed a measuring tape—yes, I traveled with one—and started documenting the dimensions. Hampton Inns, Holiday Inn Expresses, and even Homewood Suites had frames that were close to standard. I started to wonder: Could this be the fixed point I needed?