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FOUNDING FARGO CLIMBING Fargo's newest option for adventure is bringing climbing and community to the Red River Valley in an unprecedented manner.
Fargo Climbing is Fargo-Moorhead's first large-scale bouldering gym with over 4,000 square feet of climbing. The gym opened its doors the week of March 28 on the heels of an entrepreneurial journey, one that was a long time in the making for the two co-founders, Chris Deal and Ben Williams. Deal and Williams grew up in the same neighborhood, and as their sisters participated in their girl scout activities the two bonded.
By Brady Drake Photos by Josiah Kopp 56 | APRIL 2022 | FARGOMONTHLY.COM
However, as the two grew up, they also grew apart for a period of time during their teens.
"We went to high school together and we weren't really friends, but we weren't not friends, if you know what I mean," Deal said. But on their own, they both found another commonality—climbing.
CHRIS’ PATH TO CLIMBING Deal estimates that his first exposure to climbing came when he was five-years-old or younger. "It was my sister's birthday party at the YMCA and I remember being