Archive for the ‘Adventure’ Category

Member Spotlight: Nov 2015

Monday, November 30th, 2015

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Amy and Eric Leonard

Members since 2014 and 2015

Amy and Eric are relatively new members who jumped right in to the full climbing experience that Edgeworks has to offer. From maximizing the use of their monthly guest passes – always bringing in new family and friends, to participating in our monthly member clinics, climbing school courses, private lessons, and guiding services. They are an adventurous duo and we’re happy to be able to share a bit more about them!

How did you start climbing?
Eric: I started climbing when my friend Alex took me to Exit 38 eight years ago. After several climbs, he had me leading, but I didn’t quite know what I was doing. Now I think I do.
Amy: After Eric started climbing, we went as a family to Exit 38 and Vantage. I was the “mom” at the crag, taking care of the kids and possibly trying one route myself. I knew I enjoyed climbing and wanted that to change. At a book club in January, we decided to each try something new and report on it instead of reading a book. I chose climbing and immediately got hooked.
Why do you climb at Edgeworks?
It’s great to be able to climb anytime we only have an hour or two to spare in the middle of our busy lives. We’ve also enjoyed taking classes, learning sport lead; knots, anchors, and rappelling; and private instruction. Edgeworks has a great community feel. Mostly, though, we climb here because it’s fun!
Where is your favorite place to climb outside?
Eric: Sunshine Wall at Frenchman Coulee.
Amy: I have enjoyed every place I’ve climbed outside. I especially enjoy anything that’s part of a bigger climb, even if it’s easy, like the Haystack scramble at Mount Si, the rock portions of Mt. Olympus, and The Brothers. We’ve also hiked the Wonderland Trail and climbed Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. I hope to do more technical climbs in the future with skills I have gained at Edgeworks and also want to begin trad climbing.
What do you do when you’re not climbing?
Eric: Keeping the world secure while working at Microsoft.
Amy: The bulk of my time is spent mothering and home schooling our six children. I’m Chair of the Washington Homeschool Organization, which supports independent home schooling in our state. For fun, I run, read, hike, cook, backpack, play the piano, and practice yoga. I’m also a live-theatre junkie. There’s a connection between the actors and audience that can never be achieved onscreen.
What are some interesting facts you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?
Amy: Very few people get enough sleep, which has been linked to both obesity and a shorter life. Adults get just as grumpy from lack of sleep as kids do. So I have mastered the 20-minute nap and consider it the secret to being a good parent.

 

Member Spotlight: OCT 2015

Saturday, October 31st, 2015

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Radha Higgins

Edgeworks member since 2010

MEMBER STATS:  Lifetime Visits: 430 | Frequency: Weekly | Zero-to-Member Rate: 90 days | Belay Cert: 12/10/2010 | Lead Cert: 09/13/2013 | Favorite Climbs: Gnar Stemming Routes

How did you start climbing?
Radha: Some friends asked if I wanted to go climbing with them. I bought shoes and a harness the next day!

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?
Radha: Because Edgeworks is awesome! Great staff, great routes, great community!

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?
Radha: I don’t think I have one favorite place, anything outside makes me happy!

What do you do when you’re not climbing?
Radha: Train horses, hike, rollerblade, bike, knit, read, swim, dance.

What are some interesting facts you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?
Radha: There are trolls in Iceland and leprechauns behind the walls and bouldering area at Edgeworks.

 

Member Spotlight: July 2015

Friday, July 31st, 2015

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Vitaliy Zaychenko

Member since 2012

Over the last 3 years no member has been here more than Vitaliy. He has checked in over 500 times since his first visit on July 24, 2014.

Despite famously claiming that “technique is not for me” he has become quite the climber, in the gym and outside, as well as becoming an integral part of our community. We look forward to seeing Vitaliy at least 500 more times in the coming years, especially in the hours near to closing time!

How did you start climbing?
Vitaliy: Russian Mountaineering Club “Gorizont” introduced me to rock climbing three years ago on one of their
annual events in Leavenworth

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?
Vitaliy: Route setting here is unique. Not as straight forward as in some other gyms. Community is awesome.
I’ve made so many friends here.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?
Vitaliy: SO many. Leavenworth. Index. Smith Rock. I discover new places all the time. It’s so fun.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?
Vitaliy: Go to Seattle Symphony, Spectrum Dance Theater, or just spend time with my daughter. Also, play with
photography, read up on science and listen to NPR.

What are some interesting facts you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?
Vitaliy: The human body is crawling with trillions of microorganisms, that outnumber our own cells. Gut bacteria,
for instance, affects our mental and emotional state and play a major role at how our bodies function.
We need to eat more raw foods and probiotics.

 

Member Spotlight: June 2015

Tuesday, June 30th, 2015

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Roger & Karla Banks

Edgeworks Members Since 2004

Roger and Karla have been climbing at the gym since the very beginning. First visiting us in October 2004, they (like so many others) endured the days of the gravel floors and carpeting and have helped us grow and improve through the years. We’re extremely happy to have had them around all this time!

How did you start climbing?
R & K: Roger started climbing as a high school kid in England and then took a long break before resuming at a more mature age. Karla began climbing 18 years ago on a “SheClimbs” weekend in the Shawangunks in New York.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?
R & K: For the people of course!! And the challenge thrown down by the cool route setters.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?
R & K: Smith Rock and Potrero Chico have been great outdoor experiences. The Shawangunks has magnificent views out over the valley floor – specially in fall wth the great leaf colors and the high flying hawks below us.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?
R & K: Anything and everything outdoors………..hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, running, kayaking, biking, and more. Drinking beer can be done both indoors and out!

What are some interesting facts that you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?
R & K: We have hidden talents of the musical kind! We have been studying Afro-Cuban hand drumming for the past three years. We recently summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro to celebrate a milestone birthday for Karla.

 

Yoga & Climbing Retreat

Friday, June 26th, 2015

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June 26-28, 2015 at Mt. Erie | Anacortes, WA

2 Days of Climbing | 4 Yoga Sessions | 2 Nights Camping
$179/members; $199/non-members

Mark your calendars yogis and climbers because Edgeworks is making history this year with its first ever Yoga & Climbing Retreat!

Join us during some of the longest and warmest days of the year and take some of what we do indoors at the gym, outdoors into the elements of nature.

Our retreat will include 2 restorative evening yoga sessions led by Heidi T, 2 invigorating morning yoga sessions led by Liza, as well as 2 days of climbing with Andrew at Mt Erie.  All this in a beautiful setting overlooking the San Juan islands.

Edgeworks will provide all necessary climbing and yoga gear and we will camp at the beautiful Deception Pass State Park.

This will be a great way to reconnect with yourself, deepen your yoga practice, and advance your climbing skills. If you’ve never practiced yoga or climbed outdoors before, even better!  All levels of experience are welcome.

What you’ll need: 
Yoga Gear:
 Yoga mat: if you do not have one, one can be provided for you.
 Yoga attire: pants/shorts/shirts/tights that you can move freely in.
 Slip on shoes or sandals for easy transitions to and from yoga.
 Journal: a great way to reflect on your experience whether it be through climbing, yoga, or meditation and transfer your mindfulness forward into your everyday life.
 Open mind: we will be experiencing the great outdoors, yoga, meditation, climbing, and community during this trip. Leave any expectations you might have at home as we all embark on a new journey.

Climbing Gear:
If needed, climbing gear can be provided by Edgeworks at no extra cost.
If you have your own gear, please bring the following:
 Climbing shoes
 Harness
 Chalk Bag
 Belay device and locking carabiner
 Helmet

Food & Cooking:
 Food for 2 dinners, 2 lunches, and 2 breakfasts:
 Healthy Snacks
 Cooler for food/beverages that needs to be refrigerated
 Drinks: adult beverages are OK
 Necessary cookware and utensils

Camping:
 Tent
 Sleeping bag
 Sleeping pad
 Pillow: clothes in a stuff sack work well

Bike to Edgeworks Raffle

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Bike to EW Month

Excellent Parking & Raffle Prizes!

Edgeworks is getting in on the fun of Tacoma-Pierce County’s Bike Month,  Bike. Everywhere. campaign.

It’s simple. Each time you ride your bike to Edgeworks to climb or take a fitness class you’ll receive one raffle ticket to be entered in a drawing for prizes including Edgeworks swag, free day passes, and more! The more you ride, the more chances you have to WIN! So get on your bike and RIDE.

Fine Print:
Tickets are limited to one per person per day during the month of May 2015 only.
Tickets must be collected at the time you and your bike are at Edgeworks; no “oops, I forgots”.
Raffle is open to everyone and all ages, including members and non-members.
Drawing will take place Monday, June 1, 2015.

Member Spotlight: March 2015

Monday, March 30th, 2015

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Lisa Wellman

Member since 2012

She responded with surprise upon being notified that she’d been selected as this month’s Member Spotlight but if you keep reading we’re pretty sure you’ll understand why. (Because being part of the Edgeworks community is about more than sending the hardest routes.) Learn a little more about Lisa…

How did you start climbing?
Lisa: A wonderful friend (BJ Stockton) introduced me to climbing; though I could only learn from him for about a year before he moved out of state. Luckily the community here continues to fill in the gaps.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?
Lisa: I won’t mention the proximity to my home (but that’s a plus) because it’s really that Edgeworks offers that Cheers atmosphere. Everyone is friendly and helpful (staff & members alike). The encouragement that goes along with the welcoming faces is priceless.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?
Lisa: I’m still such a rookie with this since all of my outdoor experience is via leeching off of experienced climbers and awesome Edgeworks trips. So far the highlights are Red Rocks in Vegas and Smith Rock.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?
Lisa: Working as a physical therapist and being a mom to 2 boys (ages 3 & 5) keeps me beyond busy. I’ve also become a bit obsessed with gardening in the last year. And no, I don’t mind if you have questions about your injury, please ask, I LOVE helping when I can!

What are some interesting facts that you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?
Lisa: The Jersey Shore cast is NOT from NJ, the NY Giants play and practice in NJ and there isn’t a better bagel in the  world then one from a small town in NJ…..guess where I’m from?! Happily transplanted about 13 years ago for graduate school, I am proud to call WA home.
On a different note, being a parent is the hardest yet most amazing job in the world. High five to all you parents out there! If you’re not a parent, hug someone who is, we can always use some TLC no matter what stage of parenting we’re in.

 

Member Spotlight: JAN 2015

Saturday, January 31st, 2015

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Taylor Easley

Member since 2012

A dedicated climber, Taylor has been known to brave 16 degree temps and forego sleep for 36 hours all in the interest of an awesome climbing trip and all while working the graveyard shift.

Get to know Taylor…

How did you start climbing?
Taylor: Not long after Ben McMullen signed up for his membership, he invited me to go climbing with him. Needless to say, after that first day with blistered hands and pumped forearms I was hooked for life.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?
Taylor: I started climbing at Edgeworks because it was the only gym that I knew of at the time. However, the reasons I keep coming back are because of the great community, the knowledgeable and friendly staff, and the route setting is second to none.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?
Taylor: Man, that’s a tough question. I have not been too many places yet but, I would have to go with Leavenworth. Bouldering in Icicle Canyon is always an amazing time with a beautiful backdrop.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?
Taylor: Well, I am definitely a nerd so I fill a good bit of time with reading, video games, board games and other such activities. Apart from climbing the only other sport I play on a regular basis is soccer (the greatest game known to man!).

What are some interesting facts that you’d like to share with the Edgeworks community?
Taylor: Hmm… Oh, I got a good one. A picosecond is a unit of time that equals 10^(-12) so 0.000 000 000 001 seconds. One picosecond is the length of time it takes for light to travel approx. 0.3mm.