The Collective Journal

By Jennifer Wolan January 12, 2026 Six years ago, I was living in Chicago and felt absolutely stuck... It was winter, and I spent most of my days in an office, staring out the window at the street, watching box trucks pass by wondering how I could convert one and escape the city life for more nature and adventure.  ​ I also knew I wanted to climb, but I didn’t know how to start.  I would ask my local friends to go to the climbing gym with me with no success - Chicago is a dri