My family has a unique history with the climbing gym boom of the 90s. In the early to mid 90s my dad was operating a "co-op" called "The Barn" between Madison, WI and Dodgeville, WI. It was literally a retired barn that he had built climbing walls and a small apartment for himself to live in. I guess he eventually got in trouble with the authorities or something because it had to go away (likely code related, but I'm not sure), but he and some of the members ended up founding a legitimate business that stands to this day: Boulders Climbing Gym in Madison. He ended up leaving the business around the time I was born in 1997, but was still somewhat involved for a good chunk of my childhood.

The parts about the belay test are burned into my brain as a result. I had no idea that the industry had its roots in Silicon Valley!