May 1 – 31, 2023 – “Bike like the mountain is out!”
Join the “Bike to Edgeworks” Challenge.
It’s simple. Each time you ride your bike to Edgeworks to climb, take a fitness class, or workout you’ll receive one raffle ticket to be entered in a drawing for prizes including Edgeworks swag, FREE day passes, and more!
Plus, you get to enjoy all of these added benefits:
Skip the traffic
Find excellent parking
Save money
Help the environment
Improve your physical health
Improve your mental health
The more you ride, the more chances you have to WIN! So get on your bike and RIDE.
Fine Print: – Tickets are limited to 1 per person/day for rides that occur during the month of May 2023 only. – Tickets must be collected at the time you and your bike are at Edgeworks; sorry, no “oops, I forgots”. – Raffle is open to everyone and all ages, including members and non-members. – Drawing will take place Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Ride safe. Ride smart. And always securely lock your bike to one of our racks.
February 1 – April 30, 2023 Put your membership to good use, add a little fun to your climbing sessions and earn a FREE t-shirt with our 7th annual members only 90-day challenge!
THE OBJECTIVE
Earn points by completing a list of challenges including over 100 different activities – from climbing, fitness and check-in challenges to attending socials, interacting with staff, fun training games/activities, dancing and more.
As points are achieved, 3 different levels of “peaks” are awarded and added to your FREE member challenge t-shirt. It takes 150 points to earn all 3 peaks; with over 300 points available!
First Peak: 65 points|Second Peak: 100 points|Third Peak: 150 points
THE LIST
New challenges are added every year including fitness, climbing games and skills based challenges with a distribution of points designed to engage both the over and under achievers among us. As proven in previous years, it is possible to earn all 3 peaks in one day (IAD) but there are also plenty of really fun challenges that are accessible to all skill levels and will keep you coming back for more points and peaks!
Now Available! Get a sneak peek at the 2023 Challenge List for your home gym and start planning your strategies now.
Points will be tallied once a week by Edgeworks staff and T-shirtswill be distributed upon achievement of the first peak (65 points). T-shirts will be labelled with the member’s name and added to a rolling cart to be located near the front desk.
*Current stock/availability may delay the delivery of a t-shirt by 1-2 weeks.
Note: Feel free to wear and wash your shirt during the challenge but please refrain from using fabric softener until after all of your peaks have been added.
THE PEAKS
Iron-on peaks will be made available at the front desk along with simple to follow DIY instructions.
Or you can bring your shirt to the monthly Member Socials in March, April and May, when we’ll have staff available to add the peaks for you.
YOUR PROGRESS
Members are responsible for tracking their progress and checking the boxes on their challenge sheets as items are completed.
To entice those of us with an extra competitive spirit, we will update a public Challenge Board with everyone’s individual points – you know, just in case you want to see how you match up to the achievements of others.
As climbing evolves, so do the technologies, techniques, and best practices we use to mitigate the risk of our sport. Effective March 1, 2023, all Edgeworks locations will adopt an Assisted-Braking Device (ABD) policy for all top rope and lead belaying in the gym.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Beginning March 1, 2023,non-assisted belay devices (ATCs or similar) will no longer be allowed for general use in our facilities.
TOP 3 “WHY” FACTORS
Minimizes risk
Adds redundancy
Reduces human error
Moving to an ABD-only policy in our facilities will help climbers better mitigate risk in the gym; ABD’s help prevent accidents in a way that older style tube-style/unassisted belay devices cannot do. Similar to seatbelts, ABDs easily add another level of security.
FAQ: Click here for answers to the most common questions we’ve received about this change.
RESOURCES DURING TRANSITION
We’re providing several options to assist climbers through the transition, including:
Info Nights with Vendors. We’ve invited the folks from Black Diamond (Ryan Spivey), Petzl (Jay Dufrense), Edelrid (Anna Campbell) and Mammut (Collin Jenkins) to help us showcase available assisted belay devices and provide information to learn and make informed decisions on the products available.
These events will be held from 6-9pm on the following dates: • March 7: Bellevue • March 8: Tacoma • March 9: Seattle
No registration required! We hope to see you there.
Tips and demos from our staff. If you’ve never used an ABD before, our staff will happily show you how to use any ABD. No appointment required, just come see us at the desk!
Free clinics for members. Grigris are not the only ABD only option! Our climbing school instructors are offering free 30 minute clinics designed to teach you how a variety of different active and passive ABDs work, how to use them, and offer recommended belay techniques for various models. Registration is now open, sign up online!
Free rental devices. We will have a selection of Black Diamond Pilots and Mammut Smart 2.0s available for use during the transition.
30% off all ABD devices in our retail shop. Including discounts on Black Diamond Pilots, Edelrid Giga Juls and Jul 2s, Petzl Grigris, and Mammut Smart 2.0s.
(Limited time offers through March 31, 2023)
MORE INFO:
ABDs provide redundancy. “In climbing, we use backups all the time. We use them as an integral part of our systems and we often use words like redundancy and security when we’re talking about backups. In every case, the basic concept is the same: a climber relies on one system to stay safe, and there is another system that acts as a back-up in case the primary system fails or malfunctions.” – American Alpine Club
Human error reduction. “Brake assist was basically created to add a “belay backup” in case of emergency or misuse while belaying, with the added bonus of being able to hold the weight of the climber once activated. The basic concept is that in the event the rope moves too quickly through the device, for example if a belayer loses control, the speed and friction on the device cause it to move in a way that stops the rope from feeding.” – Weigh My Rack
Belay Technique This policy change does not change the way Edgeworks expects people to belay. As always, all belayers must maintain control of the brake strand at all times and be alert and attentive while belaying. ABDs are not “auto-locking” or “hands-free” and should not be treated as such.
I am excited to announce that I was offered and have accepted the position of Team Head Coach here at Edgeworks Tacoma. It has been a pleasure working with the team thus far, and I have sincerely enjoyed getting to know all of your athletes better. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for your support of Team Edgeworks, as well as the consistent support you provide your athletes.
A bit about myself.
I started as an assistant coach at Edgeworks in August 2022, and had been climbing for about twelve years before that. I began my journey with climbing right here at Edgeworks Tacoma when I was sixteen years old, and have kept at it to varying degrees since. A Tacoma native, I graduated from Stadium High School in 2012, and went on to receive my Bachelors in International Studies at The University of Washington in 2016.
In 2017, I moved to Japan to work as an English Teacher as part of the Official Jet Program USA. I spent four years as an Elementary and Junior High school teacher, and one year working at a private tutoring institution. My fiancé and I moved back to the Pacific Northwest in June of last year, and were married in mid-July. It has been an incredibly exciting couple of years, with many perspective changes and important life lessons learned.
My time teaching in Japan left a lasting impression on me, and cultivated my passion for youth education. Upon my return to the US, I decided to do whatever I could to combine this passion for education with my own passion for climbing, and found myself extremely lucky to land a job here at Edgeworks Tacoma.
The assistant coach position has provided me the perfect space to begin applying my teaching skills in a much more physical and competitive environment. While I have a lot to learn as head coach, I am super excited to focus on a few things moving forward: I am incredibly excited to be working as head coach, and look forward to giving my all to help our team be the best it can be.
Chalk up and get ready for a fun, new community rope competition! Bring a belayer and all the stoke to send while putting your rope climbing skills to the test on an all new set of competition style routes.
3 comps. 1 day. We’ll start the day early with morning and afternoon USAC Qualifying Events and then roll straight into an evening session dedicated to our members and community.
Climbing Disciplines: Top rope and lead climbing Format: Redpoint Belayers: Bring your own belayer! Categories: Select your gender during sign up – you’ll be automatically placed into a category based on total score. Genders: Female, Male, Non-Binary Ages: Competitors must be 16 years or older
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – WAIVERS: When in doubt, fill one out! All climbers must complete a signed waiver or have one on file with Edgeworks in order to participate. Waivers must be renewed each year. Click here now!
BRING YOUR OWN BELAYER: Belayers must hold a current belay certification with Edgeworks Climbing. Top rope and lead tests can be taken at any of our locations at any time prior to comp day! The day is going to be quite busy and our Tacoma staff will not be available for belay/lead test on the day of the event.
AWARDS and RAFFLE PRIZES: Instead of cash prizes, we choose to invest that money into some pretty sweet swag that everyone has a chance to win! The top 3 competitors in each COMMUNITY COMP category are guaranteed to walk away with a prize. Beyond that, our raffle prize system ensures that every competitor has a chance to win something too. Competitors must be present to win. Raffle prizes will be given out after the Awards (approx 9pm) and will include a sweet Grand Prize drawing!
AFTER PARTY! 8:30PM – 10PM Once the competition ends, competitors and guests who are 21+ are invited to join us upstairs for the after party! Please note: all climbing will shut down at the conclusion of the community comp session; post-comp climbing sessions will not be available during this time.
Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place competitors in each category will receive a sweet product prize from one of our event sponsors.
USAC Credit and Chalk UP: USAC Competitors CANNOT get credit for competing in the Chalk UP community comp. In the event that a USAC participant wants to compete for BOTH USAC credit AND prizes they must register for and climb in both sessions. Yes, that means they have to pay twice.
Climbing Time: Climbers will be allowed EXACTLY 2.5 hours to climb. All climbing will end at the 2.5 hour mark.
Monday – Friday, March 21st – 25th: Wall closures will begin as competition setting takes place; closed areas will include all of the EAST BAY rope walls. The rope and boulder walls in the West Room will remain open to members and customers throughout the week!
Saturday, March 26th | Gym Closed 8am – 6pm Because the morning and afternoon USAC Qualifying sessions will run as onsight competitions, the entire gym will be closed to all non-competitors from 8am – 6pm (including ALL of the climbing walls in the West Room, weight area, upstairs lounge, yoga and instruction rooms). All youth programs, climbing school courses and fitness classes will be cancelled. Our parking lot will be full so please plan ahead! Spectators are welcome in the competition area.
The West Bay and fitness areas will OPEN to MEMBERS ONLY after 6pm while the East Bay remains closed for the Chalk Up! rope comp.
Sunday, March 27th | Gym Re-Opens to Everyone Climbing will fully reopen on Sunday, March 27 with a large selection of all new competition style rope routes for everyone to try!
Our ALL NEW Community Challenge is similar to our Boulder Series (or leagues) of the past but amped up in a whole new way!
Designed to be 2 competitions in one(seasoned pro or newbie), prizes will be awarded for top overall winners; recognition for “most improved”, “most recommendations” and “most unique routes”; plus a variety of weekly flash challenges worked in for added fun.
Regardless of your climbing ability (strong or newbie), this is sure to be a fun social experiment – er, EXPERIENCE – for everyone involved.
WHY ARE WE USING THE KAYA APP?
The KAYA Climb app may be new to the Tacoma community but is used by climbers all around the world and its features help us better facilitate the challenge by:
Making it easier for us to track participation and progress.
Giving you real time standings to see where you’re at, how your progress compares to others and exactly what you need to do to WIN!
CHALLENGE DETAILS:
Here’s all that you really need to know.
BOULDERING:
Four categories: (prizes for 1st place in each category + most improved) – Intro VB -V1 – Beginner V1 – V3 – Intermediate V3 – V5 – Advanced V5 – V+
ROPES:
Elevation Comp: (most feet climbed during comp; top 3 win prizes) – 25 ft for West Bay (ropes) – 40 ft for East Bay – 50 ft for Lead Prow
OVERALL PRIZES:
Flash Challenges
Most recommendations
PRIZES AWARDED DURING OUR NEXT MEMBER SOCIAL: AUGUST 3RD!
Building a community where all climbers feel welcome + engaged.
With a front entry renovation in Seattle and an expansion project expected in Bellevue (stay tuned for details!), we expect that everyone will have a lot of questions. Below are a few of those answers.
HONORING STONE GARDENS’ HISTORY:
Undeniably, Stone Gardens is “The Climbers Gym” with 25 years experience “providing the best climbing at every experience level—from beginners to seasoned climbers—and a knowledgeable, friendly staff ready to help.” It is this long standing passion and drive that will stay with us as we carry through into the future.
GROWTH
Also undeniable is the amount of growth that has happened in the sport of climbing since 1995, when the Seattle gym first opened. With all of this growth, comes change and with change comes opportunity. The biggest of which is the opportunity to expand the meaning of the word “climber” to be more inclusive and welcoming, and to repackage what it means to be “The Climbers Gym”.
WHO IS A “CLIMBER”?
The days of the dirtbag climber might not be fully behind us (some of us can still dream! #vanlife), but today’s answer to the question of “who is a climber” is open to so much more potential and possibility. It is this exciting growth in diversity that has been a driving factor for our entire industry to be better, more inclusive and more modern.
At Edgeworks, this is a challenge we have always embraced with excitement; believing that everyone should feel at home inside our gyms.
We’re working to build a space where:
Seasoned climbers know they’ll still find the best, most challenging and fun boulder problems and routes.
Weekend warriors can run laps on the wall to maintain their endurance and train in the off season when they can’t get outside.
New climbers feel welcome and unintimidated, as they walk through our door.
Kids can be introduced to a sport that builds confidence, communication skills, responsibility, teamwork and a healthy dose of calculated risk.
Community happens, built upon a shared interest in climbing, fitness, and fun (and sometimes beer!).
All in all, we aim to create a space that feels active, vibrant and welcoming. Where people choose to hang out even if they aren’t climbing because they know that this is where they will find their people and it’s where they belong.
WHY RETAIL?
We can’t think of a better way to answer that question than with a question: What’s the 2nd most popular thing climbers love to talk about most? GEAR. And that’s true for us too!
In recent years, we’ve seen many of our beloved, locally owned gear shops close their doors. From Marmot Mountain Works in Bellevue and other similar shops in Seattle + Tacoma. These stores offered services that aren’t always easy to find with big retailers; leaving a gap that we can help fill.
Our staff are experts in climbing gear and combining this knowledge with thoughtfully curated retail options for our members allows us to:
Offer a complete user experience for all climbers; new and experienced.
Get you closer to the vendor with shoe demos, special orders, product questions, etc.
Connect with our members and build community.
WHAT ABOUT THE CLIMBING?
As an indoor climbing gym, our walls and our route setting program are our #1 products. In order to provide the best experience for our members and customers, it’s crucial that we keep diversity in mind as we work to update our facilities, build new walls, and develop our setting teams.
We are committed to providing the time and resources to ensure that we’re meeting, if not exceeding, your expectations (and ours) with the following:
Route quality and density
Variety of setters and routes; including complex, challenging and thoughtful moves
Available, varied and accessible terrain
If at any point if feels like we’ve taken something away, trust us that we have a plan to provide something better in its place.
EDGEWORKS CLIMBING + GUIDING
When our new outdoor signs are installed in Bellevue and Seattle, you’ll notice this new tagline on the outside of our buildings. As part of our rebrand in 2020, Edgeworks Climbing + Fitness and Edgeworks Climbing + Guiding were both adopted as 2 interchangeable taglines; the first to highlight that which our facilities offer and the second to highlight our outdoor programs.
The decision to use “Climbing + Guiding” in both Bellevue and Seattle stem from multiple considerations:
The Seattle facility has a strong history and focus on climbing with little space dedicated to fitness.
As part of the agreement with Crossroads Shopping center in Bellevue, we’ve opted not to include “fitness” on the outside of the building but do have plans to grow our fitness offerings inside!
Guiding is a huge part of who we are, what we do and why we do it. This is our chance to highlight our commitment to this program and share our favorite wild spaces with more of our community.
We can’t wait to share these new spaces with our community!
Edgeworks has always been dedicated to providing opportunities for youth climbers to advance their skills and become strong competitors on a local, regional and national level. That is why we’ve chosen to partner with USA Climbing and other gyms in our region to offer a Virtual Youth Climbing Competition, November 9-23.
In preparation, we’re also excited to announce a new combined effort of Edgeworks and Stone Gardens route setters who will be working to reset both our boulder and rope walls!
Starting November 2, you’ll notice focused attention on our boulder walls as these teams work to reset for the competition. The benefit will be 60+ new competition problems for all to enjoy! You don’t have to be a youth climber to get your hands on these stellar new routes.
And, while we’re working with other coaches and climbing teams to reduce any impact on our reservation system, it’s important to note that during the 2-week comp period (Nov 9-23) reservations for ZONE 4 could fill up faster than usual.
Please make sure to adjust your plans accordingly.
