It’s frustrating to hit a plateau, whether it’s at 5.7 or 5.11. Climber Steph Davis has some tips for overcoming your plateaus and moving on to harder routes:

“If you feel like you have a solid base in your difficulty range, one way to step up your progression might be to start working on routes that are out of your current ability range. So if you feel solid at 5.9, start your climbing day by doing a few routes you can do (so you warm up and have fun), and then choose a 5.10 or 10+ to work on. Go through the whole exercise of figuring out the moves and then redpointing it, whether it only takes 2 tries or 8. If it happened quick for you, try an 11- next time for your project route.

When you start getting on routes that are too hard for you, it gradually changes your perspective about the climbs that are more in your regular comfort range. Just make sure you keep doing climbs that are easier for you also, so you continue to like climbing and get to experience the flow of movement on routes that aren’t at your limit..”

Looking to further improve your climbing? Check out our Private Lessons or ProRock Coaching programs.

Looking to go out climbing? Let us take you out to some of the best climbing areas in Washington.  We just recently expanded our website to include a guiding section, complete with all the info you need to schedule a guiding trip with Edgeworks!  Whether you’re a brand new climber looking to have the experts show you the ropes, or a seasoned veteran wanting to go out with a group, we’ve got guides ready to take you climbing.

We’ve got pages for both single and multi-pitch climbs, laying out the climbing areas by skill level (beginner/novice, intermediate, advanced).  If you’re interested in taking an outdoor climbing course from Edgeworks, we’ve also got a list of all our outdoor courses.  As always, Edgeworks members receive 15% off all

If you’re not familiar with climbing areas around the PNW, we’ve given a little description of the areas where we guide.  And if you want to get to know our guides a little better, check out the Guides page to read a bit about our highly trained guides!

Want to schedule a trip?  Great!  Take a look at our rates page if you’d like to find out how much your guiding trip will cost.  All prices include the gear you’ll need (helmet, shoes, & harness). If you’re ready to schedule, call us at 253-564-4899 to find out available dates for your trip!

Ever joined us for Crag Chasers? Do you even know what Crag Chasers is?  Well, I’m about to tell you.  Crag Chasers is a spontaneous guided climbing day trip that we plan for those super gorgeous Pacific Northwest days.  If the weather report looks great earlier in the week, then a few days beforehand we’ll send out an email and Facebook blast letting you know that Crag Chasers is ON.  Whether you’re an avid outdoor climber or never been, you can come hang out, have fun, and climb on.

A seat in the Edgeworks van only costs $30.00 +tax and includes necessary gear rental. Reserve your seat today, call 253-564-4899 or email us.

THE DETAILS

Call in sick, get a baby sitter, cancel your dentist appointment, and meet us at Edgeworks the morning of and we’ll have the van loaded up and ready to go!  We’ll spend a few hours pulling down, enjoying the best the PNW has to offer and having a blast. The van will usually pull back into the Edgeworks parking lot at around 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.

THE RULES

All Edgeworks rules apply. In order to belay, participants must be Edgeworks belay certified. In order to lead climb, participants must be Edgeworks lead climb certified. All lead climbing will follow established routes using quickdraws placed by an Edgeworks staff member.

As a new climber, it’s tempting to hit the gym every day and max yourself out. Allowing your body to rest and recouperate, though, is essential in being able to climb your best. For newer climbers, Steph Davis recommends the following:

“Remember that you need rest days for muscle and tissue to rebuild, and your fingers are not used to being weighted so much. Three days a week should be the max, and with 4-7 you are flirting with tendon issues. Try not to tape your fingers if it’s not necessary. If you have energy to burn and you just can’t stop yourself, consider focusing on core strength. There are countless variations of crunches, leg raises and planks you can do. I think improving your core is one of the single best things you can do for climbing. In between your gym sessions, you could do some cross training of your choice: running, biking, swimming, yoga or weight lifting. This will keep your circulation going, improve your lungs, and in the case of yoga, give you even more muscle gains on your “rest” days.”

When you’re stoked on climbing and getting better, it can be easy to push your body to the point of injury, so make sure you remember to take those days off to let your body rebuild and recouperate!

Looking to further improve your climbing? Check out our Private Lessons or ProRock Coaching programs

Girl Scout Rock Climbing Round Up!
Saturday June 9^th, 2012
5:00pm – 9:00pm

Thanks for your interest in our semi-annual “ROCK CLIMBING ROUND UP” event! This event is for Girl Scouts, their family and friends.

For some of you, this event will be your first introduction to Edgeworks and the sport of indoor rock climbing. This will definitely be a very memorable experience. For those of you returning, we have a new t-shirt for 2012 and have made a few changes to the registration form, check-in and schedule.

Climbing will be split into three groups and rotated every hour so everyone has a chance to win prizes, eat food, and climb to the top of our walls.

In organizing each of these events, I learn about what works and what does not. For this event, we are going to allow friends and siblings of the girls to participate and climb in this event.

Download the registration form HERE!

Don’t forget that Early Registration (which includes a Free T-Shirt)ends on the 24^th of May!  So register TODAY!!

Contact: Patrick@edgeworksclimbing.com for a registration packet and to ask any questions.

Climb smarter instead of stronger. Train yourself to always find the easiest way up a route regardless of the grade. For example, if you are on a 5.9 and you are a 5.11 climber you could skip holds and muscle your way through just to get to the top, but that would neither make you a stronger or smarter climber. You might as well take that opportunity to find the easiest path to the top. If you feel like you are doing a move that is too hard for the grade STOP. Take one step back and try to figure out a better way. If you consistently do this on easier grades you will do it better on harder grades enabling you to climb at a much higher level. I can’t count the number of people who are putting in 5.12 effort on a 5.11 climb. Wouldn’t you want to be putting 5.12 effort on a 5.12, or a 5.13? I sure would… Always think critically about the way you are climbing something and you will learn more from the experience. Send smart and then you will send hard!

Looking to further improve your climbing? Check out our Private Lessons or ProRock Coaching programs

Edgeworks is hosting a fundraiser to get a permanent bathroom installed at Vantage from 6-10 pm on May 24th. During the fundraiser, Petzl will be teaching a Multi-Pitch Efficiency clinic from 6-8pm and Edgeworks will be teaching an Escape the Belay Clinic.

There will be plenty of action, even if you are not taking a clinic.  Drop by to enter the raffle for some great prizes, eat a burger or have an adult beverage with some good friends.

Come on down and support the climbing in Washington!

Suggested donation is $10.

On Thursday May 17th, we will be welcoming Steilacoom High School for a fun day of climbing. This is a part of their PE class, how AWESOME is that?!?!

If you are a teacher and are interested in the services that we provide for our school partners, please contact Patrick at:253-564-4899 ext. 9105 or patrick@edgeworksclimbing.com.