About Iron City Boulders

Welcome to Iron City Boulders, Pittsburgh’s premier bouldering gym and community hub, where fitness meets culture in the heart of the Steel City. Built by locals, for locals, we’re here to create a welcoming and challenging space for climbers of all levels—from those brand new to bouldering to seasoned enthusiasts.

At Iron City Boulders, our mission is to foster the sport climbing community, inspire growth, and support every climber’s journey. Our expansive facility is designed to provide a range of climbing experiences, with routes crafted by expert setters and regularly refreshed to keep the challenges fresh and fun. Whether you’re looking to climb solo, take classes, or join a team, we’ve created an environment where climbers of all ages and backgrounds can feel at home.

Beyond the walls, Iron City Boulders is a community of individuals passionate about the outdoors, fitness, and sustainability. We’re committed to preserving Western Pennsylvania’s and the surrounding regions’ natural spaces, supporting local businesses, and nurturing the sense of camaraderie that makes Pittsburgh unique. We partner with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits to make climbing accessible and to give back to our community.

At Iron City Boulders, you’ll find more than a gym—you’ll find a space to grow, connect, and challenge yourself. Join us, and be part of Pittsburgh’s climbing legacy.

Iron City Boulders was founded is operated by Moments Climbing, which intends to be the world leader in the development and operations of commercial climbing gyms.

Dean Privett
Vice President, Moments Climbing

Born and raised in the Pittsburgh suburbs, Dean has dreamed of opening a climbing gym like Iron City Boulders in his hometown ever since first taking a University of Pittsburgh rock climbing course in 2009.

From Private Instructor to Head Routesetter to Design Consultant, Dean has positioned himself as a sport climbing industry innovator and works tirelessly to grow the sport of climbing on local and international stages.

Career Highlights

Dean began his profession as the Lead Instructor and Route Setter at the Earth Treks’ Rockville location, the largest indoor climbing gym in the country at the time.

Shortly thereafter, Dean moved to Santa Barbara, CA to manage and route set at the region’s first indoor climbing gym. After several successful years working in the Southern CA market,

Dean accepted a position with Walltopia, the world’s leading climbing wall manufacturer. As the Head of Sales at Walltopia, Dean was exposed to nearly every new and existing gym in the country. He acted as a trusted design consultant, operational advisor, and account manager for new and expanding operators.

Throughout his career Dean always focused on improving the customer experience especially for those new to the sport.

Climbing Philosophy

Dean’s passion has always been in routesetting and he has moderated panel discussions, contributed to committees, and lead workshops focused on making routesetting more inclusive and equitable for all.

It is his belief in athletic empathy and that route setting needs to continue to meet the unique needs of all climbers, whether they’re first timers, frequent visitors, or professionals.

No matter the physique, climbing is for every body.

Lewis Yeaple
Gym Director, Iron City Boulders

Lewis first started work as a personal trainer. After about 3 years of experience he decided to transition and utilize his skills to align more with his biggest passion: climbing.

Lewis went on to work as a Climbing Manager for Penn State and shortly after as an instructor for his hometown gym. Lewis quickly fell in love with building communities centered around the exciting and memorable experiences created while climbing.

Graduating from Penn State with a degree in Recreation Park and Tourism Management, Lewis is determined to bring high-quality programming to Iron City Boulders.

Career Highlights

Lewis spend the first three years of his professional fitness career working as a personal trainer in the outdoors community then took on the Climbing Manager role at Penn State University, where he worked to earn his degree in Recreation Parks & Tourism Management.

After graduating, Lewis was able to quickly immerse himself in in the climbing community where he was able to follow his passion for building communities centered around the exciting and memorable experiences that rock climbing provides.

Climbing Philosophy

Lewis’ personal goal to make climbing accessible for all, and he understands that climbing may be an intimidating thing for newcomers to the sport. His first-hand experiences as a new climber remind him of the importance of a welcoming and inclusive environment to new climbers. He still feels foundly of those moments at his hometown crag, Donation Rocks in State College, Washoe Boulders in Reno NV, and Snow Canyon in Utah.

When not climbing, Lewis enjoys playing the piano, mountain biking, skateboarding, and backpacking.

Samantha Kummer, Associate Gym Director, Iron City Boulders

Samantha Kummer
Deputy Gym Director, Iron City Boulders

Samantha is new to the Pittsburgh area but not new to the climbing scene.

Sam’s life motivation is to eventually bring climbing back to her hometown in Florida, so when the opportunity to move up within Moments Climbing and gain that management experience presented itself, she sprang at the opportunity to move to the Burgh and hasn’t looked back since.

Career Highlights

While working at an overnight summer camp in eastern PA in 2018, she tried climbing for the first time and her competitiveness and curiosity had her hooked and wanting to get better immediately. Once she got back to Orlando, FL that following fall, she became a regular at her university’s climbing tower, and a year later, she landed her first job in the industry as a tower attendant at University of Central Florida’s climbing tower.

In September of 2020, Sam helped to open ICB’s sister gym, Blue Swan Boulders, while also balancing her new role as Climbing Tower Lead at UCF. She continued in these roles for a few years until she graduated with a degree in Teacher Education – Physical Education and a minor in Hospitality Management. ICB is ecstatic to have her community-building skills here in PGH.

Climbing Philosophy

Samantha strives to create quality and inclusive experiences that strengthen the community. Coming from a competitive sports background, she wants to be able to bring an alternative athletic experience to those who want to try.

If this is a space where people can not only climb but also hangout, try new things, stay in shape, co-work, and overall, enjoy each other’s company, Sam feels she has accomplished her goal.

When she isn’t at the gym, Sam enjoys exploring new trails with her dog, listening to music, and playing video games with her sisters.

Meet the Team

Dean Privett
Vice President, Moments Climbing

Born and raised in the Pittsburgh suburbs, Dean has dreamed of opening a climbing gym like Iron City Boulders in his hometown ever since first taking a University of Pittsburgh rock climbing course in 2009.

From Private Instructor to Head Routesetter to Design Consultant, Dean has positioned himself as a sport climbing industry innovator and works tirelessly to grow the sport of climbing on local and international stages.

Career Highlights

Dean began his profession as the Lead Instructor and Route Setter at the Earth Treks’ Rockville location, the largest indoor climbing gym in the country at the time.

Shortly thereafter, Dean moved to Santa Barbara, CA to manage and route set at the region’s first indoor climbing gym. After several successful years working in the Southern CA market,

Dean accepted a position with Walltopia, the world’s leading climbing wall manufacturer. As the Head of Sales at Walltopia, Dean was exposed to nearly every new and existing gym in the country. He acted as a trusted design consultant, operational advisor, and account manager for new and expanding operators.

Throughout his career Dean always focused on improving the customer experience especially for those new to the sport.

Climbing Philosophy

Dean’s passion has always been in routesetting and he has moderated panel discussions, contributed to committees, and lead workshops focused on making routesetting more inclusive and equitable for all.

It is his belief in athletic empathy and that route setting needs to continue to meet the unique needs of all climbers, whether they’re first timers, frequent visitors, or professionals.

No matter the physique, climbing is for every body.

Lewis Yeaple
Gym Director, Iron City Boulders

Lewis first started work as a personal trainer. After about 3 years of experience he decided to transition and utilize his skills to align more with his biggest passion: climbing.

Lewis went on to work as a Climbing Manager for Penn State and shortly after as an instructor for his hometown gym. Lewis quickly fell in love with building communities centered around the exciting and memorable experiences created while climbing.

Graduating from Penn State with a degree in Recreation Park and Tourism Management, Lewis is determined to bring high-quality programming to Iron City Boulders.

Career Highlights

Lewis spend the first three years of his professional fitness career working as a personal trainer in the outdoors community then took on the Climbing Manager role at Penn State University, where he worked to earn his degree in Recreation Parks & Tourism Management.

After graduating, Lewis was able to quickly immerse himself in in the climbing community where he was able to follow his passion for building communities centered around the exciting and memorable experiences that rock climbing provides.

Climbing Philosophy

Lewis’ personal goal to make climbing accessible for all, and he understands that climbing may be an intimidating thing for newcomers to the sport. His first-hand experiences as a new climber remind him of the importance of a welcoming and inclusive environment to new climbers. He still feels foundly of those moments at his hometown crag, Donation Rocks in State College, Washoe Boulders in Reno NV, and Snow Canyon in Utah.

When not climbing, Lewis enjoys playing the piano, mountain biking, skateboarding, and backpacking.

Samantha Kummer
Deputy Gym Director, Iron City Boulders

Samantha is new to the Pittsburgh area but not new to the climbing scene.

Sam’s life motivation is to eventually bring climbing back to her hometown in Florida, so when the opportunity to move up within Moments Climbing and gain that management experience presented itself, she sprang at the opportunity to move to the Burgh and hasn’t looked back since.

Career Highlights

While working at an overnight summer camp in eastern PA in 2018, she tried climbing for the first time and her competitiveness and curiosity had her hooked and wanting to get better immediately. Once she got back to Orlando, FL that following fall, she became a regular at her university’s climbing tower, and a year later, she landed her first job in the industry as a tower attendant at University of Central Florida’s climbing tower.

In September of 2020, Sam helped to open ICB’s sister gym, Blue Swan Boulders, while also balancing her new role as Climbing Tower Lead at UCF. She continued in these roles for a few years until she graduated with a degree in Teacher Education – Physical Education and a minor in Hospitality Management. ICB is ecstatic to have her community-building skills here in PGH.

Climbing Philosophy

Samantha strives to create quality and inclusive experiences that strengthen the community. Coming from a competitive sports background, she wants to be able to bring an alternative athletic experience to those who want to try.

If this is a space where people can not only climb but also hangout, try new things, stay in shape, co-work, and overall, enjoy each other’s company, Sam feels she has accomplished her goal.

When she isn’t at the gym, Sam enjoys exploring new trails with her dog, listening to music, and playing video games with her sisters.