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Climbing
Mecca of China - Yangshuo |
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By
Edgeworks Climber - Nate Sutton
Hello fellow Edgeworks Climbers!
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I thought I should send you all some warm greetings from China! So, here is a brief synopsis of my climbing life for the last two months in the climbing mecca of China, Yangshuo: |
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I arrived in Yangshuo after a long sleepless bus ride to find the city dark and cold at the early hour of 5:30am. Not sure quite what to do with myself I headed down a main road toward the river following a hand-drawn map I copied from the internet. A few “hellooow”s from motorcycle cabbies later I retreated to a small bench next to the river, anxiously awaiting the daylight for warmth and for stores to open. With the light came the Karst towers and, inevitably, climbing. |
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“The towers are everywhere!” This was my first thought. Following close behind was, “Where are my climbing partners!”. Stumbling into the Lizard Lounge I met a friendly Canadian named Andrew and many others from around the globe as the morning turned into late morning, perfect time for a climber’s start. Off I went with my new coworkers and climbing partners. We piled ten high into a mini minivan and I got my first taste of completely lawless Chinese driving. |
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After some bumpy and dusty driving through crazy beautiful landscape we arrived at the crag; a huge wall 200ft long and 80ft high giant of an overhang. Shouldn’t I have been sleeping? Maybe I was dreaming. It was a full body workout and a tired day pulling on jugs and balancing on crimps. That day was spent like so many afterwards, climbing in the sun on steep, long, and sustained routes of so many varied features. |
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At Yangshuo there are long, easyish multi-pitches for semi-rest days along with hiking, biking, swimming, paddling and cheap massages for full rest days. The countryside offers unrestricted wandering for curious out-of-towners and the little things that make cultures different are surprisingly abundant in this little, yet crazy rural town. Despite the differences, my mind goes back to a song by Greg Brown. The chorus is simple, “China…it’s so far away.” I heard this song live before I left and thought about how far it actually is. But, after the long flight and after being here two months, it seems so close, comfortable and accessible. |
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Nate Climbing Moon Hill Arch

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FREE Slacklining Clinic and Demo |
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Slacklining - A Balance Sport
Come Slackline With Edgeworks! |
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Time:
Friday,
June 22nd, 8-10pm
Cost: FREE!! |
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Join us for a fun evening of Slacklining!
Never done it before? Our staff will teach you how to keep your balance on our slackline (tightrope of webbing) set up in the gym for the evening. It's fun to watch, and even more fun to do as you build balance in your body! |
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* The climbers leisure sport
* Builds balance and focus
* Slacklines can be set up most anywhere
* A great way to hang out and have fun! |
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Come Slackline with Edgeworks! |
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2007
Summer Camps! |
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Registration
of our 2006 Youth Summer Camps has begun!
Edgeworks Climbing is proud to offer week long summer camps and two
day Family Camps for beginner, intermediate and
advanced climbers of all ages! Whether you're
looking for a camp to introduce your children
to the sport of rock climbing or you're looking
for a fun outing for the whole family, Edgeworks'
summer camps are a fun and safe way to enjoy the
sport of rock climbing this summer!
Our
Featured Summer Camps |
* Kids Rock Camp
Indoor Only * Ages 6-10
* Basic Climbing Camp
Indoor/Outdoor * Ages 9-17
* Advanced Climbing Camp
Indoor/Outdoor * Ages 9-17
* Outdoor Rock Camp |
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Indoor/Outdoor/Camping * Ages 10-17
* 2-Day Family Camp
Indoor/Outdoor * For the whole Family * Ages
9 and older |
(click
here for camp details)
For more information and registration please call
253-564-4899. |
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Edgeworks Climber
Julie Mangrum |
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New
Routes! |
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Edgeworks has hard at work setting routes for you! In the last month we have set over 60 new routes and we're not done! There are over 30 new roped routes and 30 new boulder routes! Come try out the new
routes! |
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Here's
a sample of some of the best routes in the
gym:
Rope
28: |
5.8 |
Who's Your Favorite Super Hero? |
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Don't let go or you'll swing! |
Rope
18: |
5.9 |
Through the Looking Glass |
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Pull hard and don't get caught |
Lead H: |
5.11 |
Unfinished Symphony |
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A long lead traverse. Can you handle the pump!? |
Rope
25: |
5.11+ |
Says to the Bartender "Slab One Here" |
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A Slab that has sequence, balance and crimps. |
Boulder B6: |
V0- |
Put Your Left Foot In |
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Around and over the overhang! |
Boulder B1: |
V1 |
Hueco V1 |
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Everyone's doing it (and it's colorful)! |
Boulder B1: |
V4 |
Elmo Likes Slopers! |
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Lean left and pass the sloper. |
Boulder B5: |
V6 |
All Impacted "That's Rough" |
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Big last move! |
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New
Grading Scheme:
Edgeworks
has a new grading scheme for our roped routes. We've
done away with the "a" "b"
"c" "d" grades and are
now using "-" "blank" "+".
It's now easier than ever to find a route to climb!
Examples: |
Grade
was: |
Grade
is now: |
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5.10a
or 5.10b |
5.10- |
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5.10b
or 5.10c |
5.10 |
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5.10c
or 5.10d |
5.10+ |
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Team
Building Events at Edgeworks |
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Edgeworks
Climbing hosts team building events for companies and groups that build confidence, trust and respect among peers. We use classic team
building exercises combined with climbing specific
activities to produce a truly memorable
event. Our programs are a fun and exciting way to build a group
that pulls together to get those tough projects
completed.
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Events
Details:
* Available 7 days a week
* 2-hour, Half-Day and Full-Day
Events
* Proven confidence and trust building
activities
* Problem Solving Games/Activities,
Climbing and Rappelling
* All Events Hosted by our Senior
Level Instructors
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*For
more information and pricing contact
Jayson Owens - 253-564-4899 |
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Adult
Training Team |
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Whether
you are a total novice or an experienced
climber, if you are looking to take
your climbing to the next level, the adult
team is for you. Taught by our professional
coaching staff, this training group meets
twice a week for a 2 hour session designed to amp
up your climbing. Course focuses on fundamental
climbing skills and targeted training to
eliminate your climbing 'weaknesses'.
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*
Take your climbing to the next level
as part of
The Adult Training Team!
* Tuesdays/Thursdays, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
* Members: $75/month - Non-members: $95/month
* Ages 19 to 94
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TRAIN
FOR THE NEXT LEVEL!
JOIN THE ADULT TRAINING TEAM!
Call
today for more information or to sign up! |
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This
Month at Edgeworks! |
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We’ve got lots of new routes and new routesetters! Help us fine tune our new Routesetting System by completing a “Route Comment Card.” Tell us about your favorite route or some not-so-favorite and why.
For our full schedule of this months calendar (click
here)! |
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June Junior Program $5 Special
All month, we are offering a special benefit to participants of our monthly programs: Bring a friend to climb with you during that program for only $5.
*First June visit only please
**Please inform instructor ahead of time. |
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Women's
Night - 5-10pm, Friday, June 1st
Ladies - Come on in and climb, after 5pm at a discounted
rate. Meet lots of new friends and climb hard with old
friends. $9 Day Pass. First Friday of each month. |
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College
Night - 5-10pm, Friday, June 8th
Seeking a higher education? Let off some steam and join
other students for an evening of climbing at a discounted
rate. Day passes are $9 with a valid Washington State
College ID.
Second Friday of each month. |
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Family
Night - 5-10pm, Friday, June 15th
Bring the whole family and meet other climbing families!
First adult family member pays full price ($15 day pass),
additional family members pay $5.
Third Friday of each month. |
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