Blacklight Bouldering

2024 | ALIEN ABDUCTION

CLIMBING + BLACKLIGHT + PRIZES

Get ready to be abducted by the ultimate climbing experience! This October 26, Edgeworks Tacoma is turning down the lights and turning up the neon for our 20th annual Blacklight Bouldering Comp, featuring an otherworldly “Alien Abduction” theme. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or new to the bouldering scene, this competition is a chance to push your limits, have a blast, and compete alongside the Edgeworks community in a glow-in-the-dark setting.

EVENT DETAILS:

Location: Edgeworks Tacoma
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Format: Redpoint

WHAT TO EXPECT:

This is not just another climbing competition—it’s a full-on experience. Featuring an all-new boulder set decked out in elaborate blacklight tape art, making every hold and route glow as you climb under UV lights. With a Redpoint format, you’ll have multiple chances to top your favorite problems; the more routes you send, the more points you earn. At the end of the night, we’ll have prizes for each category (including youth!!) and a fun after party to celebrate!

Photos: Check out the photos from the 2023 Blacklight Bouldering Comp!

CATEGORIES & DIVISIONS:

We’ve intentionally designed this event to be open and welcoming for all ages, abilities, and genders.

Adults (ages 18+)

  • Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Open**
  • Masters (50+), Female, Male, Non-Binary

Youth (ages 7-17)

  • Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Open**
  • Female, Male, Non-Binary

Note: ** there will be one Open category per gender, all ages 

Non-USAC Sanctioned Event: All Youth Invited!!
This is your opportunity to compete with or against others, regardless of age, in a fun, low-stress competition environment!

  • USAC membership not required to compete.
  • Youth competitors can choose their category based on ability.
  • Youth non-binary category allows athletes to compete in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

NEW THIS YEAR!

  • Parent & Kid Option: Parents can register and compete alongside their kids—because why let them have all the fun?
  • Youth are also eligible to win prizes in their category!

REGISTRATION:

Pre-Registration: $50/members; $65/community | ends October 23
Day-of Registration: $80 for everyone
Member Discount: Save $30 with pre-registration before 10/23/2024

GET READY TO CLIMB!

Grab your neon gear and your climbing shoes—it’s going to be an out-of-this-world event! This competition is perfect for those looking for a fun challenge and a chance to connect with other climbers. Don’t forget to register before October 23 to take advantage of our pre-registration pricing!

Registration Now Open!

Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or just want to have fun under the blacklight, the Edgeworks 2024 Blacklight Bouldering Competition promises to deliver an unforgettable experience. See you on October 26!

Bel-Red Boulders “BRB”

NOW OPEN!

IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING! 
Edgeworks Bel-Red Boulders opened its doors Monday, September 23!

We’re excited to welcome you to our first bouldering-only gym located in the heart of Bellevue featuring 100+ fresh boulders, spray walls, 2 adjustable training boards, weights and cardio equipment, yoga studio, saunas and more.

Now Open Regular Hours:

  • Monday-Friday: 6am – 10pm
  • Saturday: 8am – 10pm
  • Sunday: 8am – 7pm

STOKE LEVEL: Sending Burden of Dreams (v17/9a)

Follow us on Instagram for ongoing updates and comments from our growing community: @edgeworks_brb

EDGEWORKS’ ALL NEW BOULDERING GYM!

We’re “making more happen” at the Staples location at Evergreen Village in Bellevue! Announcing our newest project: “Bel-Red Boulders” … or “BRB” for short, because we know you’ll want to “be right back”.

Located just a few blocks away from our current Crossroads location, this all new 26,400 sq ft bouldering only gym will help fill the growing need for more climbing, training and fitness on the Eastside and for our greater Edgeworks community.

With the vision and intention to create a warm, modern, casual space that appeals to the Eastside community, this project is designed to meet the needs of urban climbers and weekend warriors alike.

PROJECT DETAILS

E/P USA CLIMBING WALLS 15,100 sq ft

Designed and constructed by E/P USA with flooring by Flashed, these new walls were designed to compliment and balance the wall features, angles and training components currently offered at our Crossroads location.

The walls at BRB will include a balance of slab, vert, and overhung terrain, featuring:

  • 9,200 sq ft of climbing surface
  • Up to 19 feet tall
  • 95’ long Gallery Wall
  • (2) 19’ Overhanging Features
  • (5) Alcoves between 13’ and 16’ tall
  • (2) Dedicated spray walls to enhance training opportunities, 30 degree and slab

Full-Fitness TRAINING AREA + Yoga Studio

Training is a focus here! Wanting to allow for strength training at many different levels of climbing and fitness, Bel-Red Boulders will offer a full training area with climbing-specific features, such as:

  • (2) adjustable training boards
  • Campus board
  • Hangboard frame, with up to (12) hangboards and rails
  • (2) Spray walls
  • Free weights and racks
  • Cardio machines
  • Yoga Studio + Group Fitness Space

FACILITY FEATURES Locker Rooms + Saunas

In addition to gender neutral bathrooms that offer more usable, accessible space for everyone, BRB will also feature open access to sinks for easy handwashing between sessions and full locker rooms with showers, benches and saunas!

COMMUNITY Gathering Spaces

With every project we set out with the same goal, to build a space where everyone feels welcomed, challenged + engaged. Including features that promote downtime between sessions and accommodate remote work options, BRB can be your home away from home, work or school.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why are you building another gym in Bellevue? Why not somewhere else?
Good question. Our best answer is opportunity and available space. Demand is still high on the eastside; our Bellevue Crossroads location is crowded and will be losing some bouldering due to expansion and Vertical World Redmond has closed.

This is also not our last project and we’re always excited when people ask us to bring Edgeworks to their communities! We’re also proud to be the only gym in the Seattle-area market to serve any portion of the south sound; Tacoma is in fact where we started and our gyms span the largest area between Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma. But this is not our last project. We’re always seeking our next opportunity to expand the Edgeworks community to new areas.

Are there any plans to resurrect the development of a Tukwila location?
We really like the idea of the original Stone Gardens Tukwila project but those plans are no longer available. The project was started by Stone Gardens before the Seattle and Bellevue gyms joined Edgeworks and the Tukwila plans were not included as part of the transition. The building has since been sold and leased to other businesses.

Will access to Bel Red Boulders [BRB] be included with my Edgeworks membership?
[Yes] Adding BRB to the Edgeworks community will offer our members a greater variety of climbing terrain, training options, fitness classes and more!

Will you offer more youth programs?
[No] Kids are always welcome at Edgeworks and we remain committed to helping young climbers discover, learn and excel at climbing but the programming focus at Bel Red Boulders [BRB] will be a little different.

With the addition of BRB and the expansion project at Bellevue Crossroads, it is our overall vision to better serve our community as a whole, including climbers of all ages, all sizes, and all abilities – bringing more climbing to the eastside and making space for programming where and when it makes the most sense for everyone.

While you won’t see regular youth programs offered here at BRB, there’s a good chance you’ll see small groups from Team Edgeworks here from time to time – sharing the space, working problems and practicing for bouldering season.

Will membership prices increase?
Prices are adjusted every year, but not due to expansion. Since the very beginning, it’s been Edgeworks’ theory and practice that small yearly price increases provide transparent predictability for our members and allow us to continue our commitment to invest back into our facilities, programs, and employees.

Each year, we evaluate the following criteria that typically results in a monthly membership rate increase:

  • operating costs and staff wages
  • increases in membership value, benefits, access, and offerings
  • future improvements and expansions

Thank you for your excitement and support! We couldn’t be more stoked to share this with all of you.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to leave them send them via our online Customer Feedback form. 

We’ll continue to add to this feed as more questions and details emerge.

College Night

Students climb for just $12!

The 2nd Saturday of every month, round up your roommates, classmates, and friends for College Night at all Edgeworks locations!

$12 day passes w/ FREE gear rental.

5pm – 10pm. Valid student ID required.

Bouldering… Roped Climbing (certifications required) … Systems Boards … and more equals LOTS of climbing. It’s that simple. So bring your friends, pull some plastic, and have FUN!

Military Night

The first Saturday of every month, Edgeworks offers “Military Night” discounts for military service members and their families.

$12 day passes w/ FREE gear rental.

5pm – 10pm | Valid military ID required.

Price includes access lower level bouldering for those with little to no experience. Top rope climbing is available to those who pass our belay test.

Click here for more information about our belay certifications and gym rules.

Adaptive Climb Nights

Join us for Adaptive Climb Nights at Edgeworks!

Interested in experiencing rock climbing and joining a supportive community of adaptive climbers? These nights provide space and support for adaptive climbers to come together, build community, and explore climbing. We’ll have staff members, belayers, and adaptive equipment on hand.

Open to adaptive athletes of all ages and abilities. No prior experience is necessary.

Pre-registration is required. Sign up now as limited spots may be available!
$12 day passes + free equipment rentals (free admission for veterans + members).

Check our online event calendars for specific dates and times.

Queer Climb Nights

Join Queer Mountaineers, a PNW based inclusive community of hikers, climbers, alpinists, skiers, just overall awesome humans, for Queer Climb Nights at Edgeworks.

This night of climbing and community is driven by a desire to create a safe, welcoming, and fun atmosphere for those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. All skill levels are welcome!

$12 day passes + free rentals available.

Check our online event calendars for specific dates and times.

Women’s Climb Nights

Twice Monthly | 6pm

Our Women’s Climb Nights focus on creating a dependable, welcoming, and safe atmosphere to connect with other climbers or begin one’s climbing journey. The program offers a new place for women and underserved genders to feel welcome and explore the climbing environment and community.

This experience is intended to help participants find new belay buddies and connect with new friends.

Please check our online Event Calendar for specific dates and times.

Meet and climb with new people and build overall stoke!

In Tacoma, the evening typically begins with a warm up on the boulder walls and an ice breaker, followed by top rope climbing.

  • Membership or regular day pass rates apply.
  • If you do not own a harness or shoes, complimentary rentals will be included.
  • We encourage those who wish to attend to be belay certified.
  • This program is currently offered only at our Bellevue + Tacoma locations.
  • Our Seattle location is partnering with SheRocks to offer similar monthly programming.

Family Night

Climbing with your kids just got that much better!

Don’t want to give up climbing now that you’re a parent?
Want to meet other climbers with kids who understand the challenges?

We get it! Being a parent doesn’t mean you need to stop climbing but it does mean you may need to climb differently and that’s what Family Night is all about.

  • Meet and learn from other parents.
  • Make connections and share the responsibility of supervising the kid(s) while you climb.
  • Shift your climb times to when it’s less busy in the gym.
  • Manage expectations because sometimes the kids just won’t cooperate.

4th Saturday of every month | 5pm – 10pm
$12 day passes w/ FREE gear rental

Price includes bouldering access for those with little to no experience.  Top rope climbing is available to those who pass our belay test.

Important Notes:
– Adults must be accompanied by 1 or more children.
– Children must be under 18 years of age.
– Maximum 2 adults and 3 children per group.
– Youth under 14 must be directly supervised by an adult at all times.
– Please see our Climbing With Kids tips for more information.

Monthly Member Socials

Because our members help build our community and we are intentionally working to build a welcoming space for all. One TUESDAY every month, we invite our members to branch out from their normal climbing sessions and engage with the Edgeworks’ community.

Meet other members, share stories, get tips from our staff, and have fun.

DETAILS:

Climbinggames, competitions, prizes, free drinks for members, and social time with friends (old and new), it doesn’t get much better than this!

1st Tuesdays = Tacoma + Bel-Red
2nd Tuesdays = Seattle
3rd Tuesdays = Bellevue

As always, our Member Social evenings are FREE for Edgeworks members.
Social and activities begin at 7pm.

NEXT UP: TACOMA

Pumpkin Decorating Contest | Tuesday, October 1

We will provide the mini pumpkins, sharpies, googly eyes, spiderwebs, and other various Halloween themed decor for non-carve decorating! Best pumpkin wins a fabulous prize! Be there at 7PM!

NEXT UP: SEATTLE

Bat Hang Social | Tuesday, October 8

Join us for a thrilling night at our Bag Hang Social on Tuesday, October 8! This contest is open to ALL, so come one, come all! Non-members in costume can snag a $12 day pass and enjoy free rentals! Bring your friends, win some prizes, and make it a spooktacular evening to remember!

NEXT UP: BELLEVUE

Blackout Climbing | Tuesday, October 15

The nights are getting longer, so why not embrace it? We’re turning off the lights in one area of the gym and letting you light up the walls with headlamps for an epic night of climbing! Plus, we’re hosting a Butora shoe demo, so stop by and try out some fresh new shoes while you’re at it.