Practice Regional Bouldering Championship

On November 12th Climb Tacoma hosted a practice regional championship competition so our teams can become acquainted with the championship format. Team Edgeworks had good participation at the practice event and many kids who are new to the format got a good idea of what will be expected on December 10th. Thanks Climb Tacoma!

The Championship Format: Championship competitions are typically an ‘onsight’ format. To onsight a problem is to climb a route clean on the first attempt without prior information about the problem. After initial registration, climbers are taken to an isolation area. Competitors are taken to the wall prior to the start of competition for a preview. When the competition begins, the competitors will climb one at a time and usually have four minutes to make as many attempts as they want, ideally ‘onsighting’ the problem. There are strict rules forbidding any discussion about the route or wall with climbers who remain in isolation. Following the attempt, a climber may stay in the viewing area with spectators and those other climbers who have previously completed their climb. They may not return to the isolation area.

Fundraising

NEW! We are selling raffle tickets to benefit Team Edgeworks starting Nov. 29th through the Annual sale and Member appreciation event on Dec. 2nd. One winner will have their choice of climbing shoes or harness. See front desk for details.

Upcoming: Discounted Clip and Climb passes are coming. Hand these out to all your friends, neighbors, relatives, and acquaintances. For every certificate redeemed Edgeworks will donate $10 to the team!

Mark your calendar: Team members will be available on January 7th from 1:00p-3:00p to belay anyone who redeems their coupon during that time.

Team Budget: We’ve heard some good ideas about how to spend all this money we’re raising, including a lock-in, bowling, or a bowling/lock-in combo, a pizza party at Dorky’s arcade, and more. Keep the ideas flowing, and we’ll plan on doing something fun mid-February once the bouldering season is over.

Upcoming Events

December 2

Annual Membership Sale and Member Appreciation
Team Edgeworks Raffle

December 10

Regional Championship, Vertical World Redmond
http://www.usaclimbing.org/Regional/101-Puget_Sound.htm

Next PCA Meeting

There will be NO December PCA meeting.

How did you start climbing?

Darrell: I started climbing when I got out of the Navy in the early 70s. It started with hikes and scrambles and then from that graduated to vertical climbs, including Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Rainier. I picked it back up when my son Patrick invited me to a Boy Scout Troop outing at Frenchman’s Coulee in 2009. With Patrick’s encouragement, a trip to Edgeworks soon followed and we were hooked.
Patrick: I started climbing in 2009 as a Venture Scout.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Darrell: Routes are changed often enough to keep interest level up and keep you wondering “what’s new to try tonight?” And the people, friendly staff and fellow climbers. If you come in alone, it’s easy to find a belay buddy.
Patrick: There are lots of routes with a wide range of difficulties that are physically and technically challenging. Edgeworks has a great atmosphere and great people.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

Darrell: Frenchman’s Coulee.
Patrick: Smith Rocks

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Darrell: Hiking and skiing are two favorite activities. Occasionally, kayaking or trap shooting. Also spending time with friends and family.
Patrick: Hiking, biking, kayaking, trap shooting, hunting and fishing.

What are some interesting facts you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?

Darrell: Patrick is not adopted. Even though he’s much taller, he is my biological son.
Patrick: We both enjoy building and repairing things with our hands.

Which do you prefer: top rope, lead, or bouldering?

Both: Top Rope

What is your go-to route grade?

Darrell: 5.10 and occasionally 5.10+. I like seeing Patrick climb theroutes with longer reaches because he can really use his long arms to pull himself up.
Patrick: 5.10 with big holds spaced far apart.

Treats, Clinics, Fitness Classes, and MORE.

Why? Because we really like our members and want to say thank you!
So, join us for the annual membership sale and stay for the fun.

SCHEDULE OF FUN:

Team Trip To Vantage – October 22, 2016

Those team climbers who participated in at least two competitions this season got to go on a climbing trip to Frenchman’s Coulee in Vantage, WA. There was a big turnout, and everyone had a great time! Coach Josh Bennett posted lot’s of pictures to the Team Edgeworks Facebook page. Check it out!

Fundraising

NEW! This December/January we will distribute coupons that are good for discounted Clip and Climb passes to all our friends, neighbors, relatives, and acquaintances. For every certificate redeemed Edgeworks will donate $10 to the team. As a bonus, on January 7, Team members will be available for a few hours (time TBD) to belay anyone who redeems their coupon during that time.

BAKE SALE! Thank you to everyone who contributed baked goods and/or your time at the bake sale during the Blacklight Bouldering competition! It was a huge success!

Blacklight Bouldering – Results

Congratulations to the following Team Edgeworks competitors who competed in the Blacklight Bouldering competition at Edgeworks Climbing on October 29, 2016:
MYA
Hal Warren 3rd
Elliott McDonald 11th
FYB
Brette Hume 2nd
Elizabeth Hume 13th
Grace Wilkerson 16th
Terah Gruber 19th
MYB
Kohle Andrews 1st
Ethan Riggle 7th
Austin Elliott 8th
Braden Adams 14th
FYC
Sophia Terrill 1st
Halle Rife 13th
Maya Loveland-Haslund 17th
Bianca Haslund 22nd
MYC
Kaj Hansen 7th
Noah Larsen 9th
Jonah Andrews 12th
FYD
Ireland Kress 5th
Kaela Cameron 7th
Reagan Kress 13th
Paisley Kress 19th
MYD
Parker Andrews 13th
Aaron Larsen 15th
Jageli Rife 16th

Full results can be found here: http://bit.ly/2fu3Z88

Team Spotlight

Keep checking the bulletin board, Team Edgeworks Blog, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest installment of the Team Spotlight! A different team member will be highlighted every month and you never know when, or who, it will be!

Upcoming Events – November 12, 2016

Practice regionals at Climb Tacoma. Time TBD

Next PCA Meeting

November 17, 2016 6:30p in the Edgeworks lounge.

Here are the upcoming wall and gym closures as we prepare for the 12th annual Black Light Comp. Check the schedule and plan accordingly.

Upcoming Events

Vantage – October 22, 2016
As a reward for team climbers who participate in at least two competitions this season we are offering the opportunity to participate in a climbing trip to Frenchman’s Coulee in Vantage, WA. Registration is limited to the first thirteen participants, so if you haven’t already registered, sign up soon!

Practice Regionals and Party – November 19 – Climb Tacoma
In order to prepare for the format of the Regional Competition held in December, Climb Tacoma is hosting a practice regionals competition. Any climber who has qualified and plans to register for the competition in December is invited to participate in the practice event. There will be a party following. Details are coming soon.

USAC Memberships

Everyone who wants to qualify for the Regional Bouldering competition should have their USAC membership by now. Please be sure to record your USAC number and keep it in a safe place. We will no longer be able to access them via the USA Climbing website.

Fundraising

NEW! Details are coming soon for our newest fundraising opportunity. This concept makes it easy for everyone. We will distribute certificates that are good for discounted Clip and Climb passes to all our friends, neighbors, relatives, and acquaintances. For every certificate redeemed Edgeworks will donate a portion to the team.

BAKE SALE! Team Edgeworks is holing a bake sale during the Blacklight Competition in October. To help out, or for more information please contact Shana Hanft-Rife, or Heidi Kress.

Blacklight Bouldering – October 29, 2016

Registration for the 12th Annual Blacklight Bouldering Competition and Party at Edgeworks is now live online! See the Edge Blog for details.

Social Media

Check the lobby bulletin board, Facebook and Instagram for Team Edgeworks news and information.

Next PCA Meeting

October 20, 2016 6:30p in the upstairs lounge.

Every month we highlight a Team Edgeworks Climber to get to know just what makes our kids so stoked to climb. Let’s find out something we never knew about one of our competitors:

KAELA CAMERON

Kaela is a ten year old Club Team climber who has been climbing since 2012. Since then, she has developed a preference for bouldering. Not only does she like bouldering during class, but she spends some of her free time in the gym bouldering with her dad Josh.

Recently, Kaela has begun attending local competitions in both bouldering and sport climbing. She has her eye on the goal of competing in the Regional Bouldering Competition this December!

In addition to climbing, Kaela likes to dance and play video games, loves the smell of her Mom’s brownies, has a brother Liam who also loves to climb, and wants to be an artist or a gamer when she grows up. Say hi to Kaela next time you see her in the gym!

Karen & Elizabeth Hume

Members since 2013

How did you start climbing?

Karen: I signed Elizabeth and her brother up for a homeschool climbing class. Elizabeth’s skill and passion for climbing led her to join Team Edgeworks last year and she couldn’t be happier. About a month after the kids started climbing, Edgeworks was having a special, a month membership with rental equipment. So, I signed up! I always wanted to try climbing and I immediately loved it!

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Elizabeth: “Edgeworks is awesome!”
Karen: I love the staff and the spirit of the community at Edgeworks and there are always new problems to try and solve.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

Elizabeth: Leavenworth, Swiftwater boulders.
Karen: I am new to climbing outside. My first experience was this summer at Smith Rock State Park and it was great!

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Karen: Elizabeth is always busy. She loves horse riding, making and editing videos, and taking care of her animals. One of her favorite summer activities is pier jumping into the frigid waters of Commencement Bay with friends. When I am not climbing I enjoy reading, knitting, and working with and walking our two Golden Retrievers.

What are some interesting facts you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?

Karen: A dogs sense of smell is smell is 10,000-100,000 times more acute than a humans. That means on a beach that is 1500 feet long, 150 feet wide and 40 inches deep a dog can detect two grains of sand that smell differently. Or if you make an analogy to vision, what humans can see at a third of a mile a dog could see 3,000 miles away and see just as clearly.

Which do you prefer: top rope, lead, or bouldering?

Elizabeth: Bouldering
Karen: Bouldering is my favorite but, I recently started lead climbing and I like the way
it makes me think differently about the route.

What’s your go-to route grade?

Elizabeth: V-7
Karen: V-4, V-5