Shannon & Liz Kelley-Fong

Members since 2016

How did you start climbing?

Liz: My last couple of roommates, before I met Shannon, climbed and so I would just tag along with them occasionally. Shannon and I first met when my roommate invited both of us to go climb at exit 38. I’ve been climbing regularly with her ever since. More on that later.

Shannon: I took an intro class in college but didn’t really get into it until grad school. It became a great way to meet awesome people.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Liz: It’s western Washington, 70% of the time it’s too wet to climb outside locally. The staff and members are great! The expansion has definitely been a bonus.

Shannon: The new lead walls are certainly a good reason. Free beer on member nights certainly helps. I look forward to the day that
they open at 6AM so I can start my day off right with a climbing sesh before work. …hint, hint, nudge, nudge.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Both: Where did the summer go? Various home-remodeling projects have kept us busy of late. So far we’ve completely redone our kitchen, scraped and repainted the exterior, and just added 40’ of retaining wall to the front. Next up: adding a 2nd bathroom & remodeling the existing one.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

Both: Lately Red Rocks, Nevada. Liz travels there once a year in the fall for work and it makes for a great inexpensive escape from the rain in the spring. While it can be a bit chilly or hot, it’s sunny. The area offers great options for all levels of sport climbing and bouldering, win-win!

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

Shannon: I started as a boulderer. Logistically it was easier for a new climber. But I was won over, or converted to the dark side (depending on how you see it), by sport climbing. Honestly- I’m content doing both. It really boils down to who I am climbing with. Crack climbing remains an enigma to me… I challenge someone to help with that.

Liz: It’s nice to mix it up, but probably lean toward lead, top rope, bouldering in that order.

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

Shannon: Liz and I initially met on a climbing trip organized by a mutual friend. We didn’t know at the time but we were being intentionally set up by this friend. This trip was Liz’s first outdoor climbing experience. She did awesome. Toward the end of the day, I asked Liz if she’d like to learn how to repel. Without any hesitation she said yes. A year later, on the day, we got married.

What’s your go-to route grade?

Kyle Sexton

Member since 2015

How did you start climbing?

Kyle: I started climbing for my daughters. It’s great exercise; building upper body strength and self confidence. I believe it will be easier for them to be kind and caring people if they are first confident people, secure in themselves. Climbing gives them self confidence and belief in themselves. It helps with learning about goals and the satisfaction of completing a challenge. Climbing is also something that we could do together, and provides some serious daddy/daughter time. Nothing builds trust between a parent and his/her kid like holding them up on a rope 30 feet off the ground.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Kyle: I climb to stay in shape, clear my mind, and attempt to stay ahead of my kids. It’s also a great community of people to be around.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Kyle: Yard work and work work. Sadly, I’m almost always working. I come to Edgeworks to get away from work for a second and clear my mind. I used to run to clear my mind, but my knees aren’t having that anymore.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

Kyle: LOL. I’ve never climbed outside. Work keeps me super busy, so I climb recreationally indoors only (so far). You might find me climbing an escalator at the airport a couple times a week, but that’s about it.

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

Kyle: Bouldering. I could boulder forever. I like how bouldering can either be short and intense puzzles, or a continuous lap around the gym. I boulder until my hands say, “nope”.

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

Kyle: If you or a child ever get rock dust or chalk dust in your eye; cup your hand, fill it with water, lean forward with your eye closed into your cupped hand into the water and blink rapidly. The surface tension of the water along with the blinking motion will suck the debris right out. It’s the quickest, easiest way to remove a foreign body from your eye.

What’s your go-to route grade?

Kyle: 5.10. It’s difficult enough to provide a challenge and a workout, but generally easily enough that I don’t need assistance.

Bonilla-Franklin Family

Sam, Aleksa, Anora & Ember | Members since 2017

How did you start climbing?

Aleksa: We all started light rock climbing while living in Boulder, Colorado. It is a fun and challenging activity for all of us!

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Aleksa: Our family climbs at Edgeworks because it is so family friendly, easily accessible, and also has a wonderfully fantastic and positive atmosphere.

What do you do when you’re not climbing? 

Aleksa: When we’re not climbing, we can be found hiking, park hopping, biking, occasionally Geo-Caching or running. Aleksa, Anora and Ember also enjoy participating in karate 3 to 4 times a week.

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

Aleksa: Top rope and bouldering have been top on our list so far.

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

Aleksa: Interesting facts about the family include Anora’s ability to whistle a variety of songs, especially Star Wars themed; Ember is an aspiring artist, with a focus on animals; Aleksa loves to cook anything vegetarian or vegan, and Sam enjoys long and grueling bike rides, and consuming any pork product he can get his hands on.

What’s your go-to route grade?

Aleksa: Sam’s go to routes are 5.10 to 5.11, Aleksa works on 5.8 and 5.9, Anora can handle 5.7-5.9, and Ember will climb anything from a 5.6 to a 5.10!

LaCrystal Wooten-Wisse

Member since 2016

How did you start climbing?

LaCrystal: I started climbing when I was younger at various camps however it wasn’t until two years ago when I decided that I wanted a new hobby that I returned to climbing.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

LaCrystal: I climb at Edgeworks because of the community. I love how friendly everyone is at Edgeworks. It really helps that Edgeworks is close to home so it makes it convenient.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

LaCrystal: I really enjoy climbing at Exit 32. Little Si was already one of my favorite places to go hiking for a quick hiking trip with my friends and family but climbing there has made it even more special.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

LaCrystal: I’m often doing yoga; especially hot yoga because I love the warmth. I also really enjoy going hiking and reading in my spare time.

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

LaCrystal: I prefer top rope but am currently trying to push myself into leading more.

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

LaCrystal: I’ve been a vegetarian for the past 13 years.

What’s your go-to route grade?

LaCrystal: It depends on the day but I really enjoy the 5.11 range normally.

Kayla McCue

Member since 2017

How did you start climbing?

Kayla: Before I moved from Boston to Seattle a little over 2 years ago, I knew I needed a new hobby to take up since I didn’t know anyone on the west coast. I bought shoes and a chalk bag and a membership to SBP in my first week out here. Then my handsome new co-worker (now beloved partner), James, said he would take me outdoor climbing sometime. We haven’t stopped since.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Kayla: James and I moved from Seattle to Tacoma in February of 2017 and Edgeworks was the first place we wanted to check out. I love all the classes and the tangible sense of community here, the staff is super friendly and I’ve learned and grown a ton as a climber here, and made wonderful friends in the process.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

Kayla: We went out to Red Rocks in Las Vegas in October and I was *enamored* with the sandstone faces and feel of the rock. Everything about those canyons is so inviting, just begging to be climbed. It was my first time in the Southwest, but I can’t wait to go back and get more climbing in. I’m actually writing this from a plane on my way to LA to climb Devils Punchbowl now.

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Kayla: Probably throwing a tennis ball for my dog Jackson, my time at the gym is actually the only time of the day we are apart. He’s with me all day at work, helping me manage a 25 acre dog camp. (A heckin good crag dog, too.)

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

Kayla: Leading outdoors is my absolute favorite, it’s the terrifying thrill I’ve been looking for my whole life.

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

Kayla: I’ve seen the band Umphrey’s McGee 39 times, it would be a lot more if climbing didn’t completely take over my life.

What’s your go-to route grade?

Kayla: In the gym I always head for the 5.12 range, outdoor is anything in the 5.10 range and flirting with 11’s.

Tony Tran

Member since 2017

How did you start climbing?

Tony: It was early 2017 and I wanted to find an alternative to LA Fitness because I’ve always preferred functional fitness vs the classic weightlifting/cardio routine. After I climbed my first route at Edgeworks, I was hooked!

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Tony: Convenience since it’s only a few minutes from my home, variety of routes for both top-roping and bouldering, and of course, the staff and members are super cool and are always willing to share tips to help me improve my climbing!

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

Tony: I’ve only climbed at Vantage so far so that would be my default but will try different places this year. I’m actually heading to Red Rocks Easter weekend for some bouldering!

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Tony: Most of my days are spent at work as a physical therapist, but in my free time I enjoy hiking, cooking, and checking out new restaurants/bars around Tacoma!

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

Tony: Tie between top rope and bouldering.

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

Tony: I’m a level 3 Muay Thai kickboxer and my instructor is fellow Edgeworks member Chris Pascual!

What’s your go-to route grade?

Tony: Lately 5.10 because it’s a good transition point where I actually have to incorporate more technique instead of muscling up routes.

The Legener Family

Members since 2016

How did your family start climbing?

Family introduced us to the great sport of going up and pulling harder. Jason has climbed a few times per year for 10 years, the rest of the family joined in earnest in July of 2016.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

A few different reasons honestly. It’s the best game in town and we don’t want to travel for a gym. What keeps us coming in as often as we do is the environment created and the friendships generated and nurtured by the front desk staff who we like to consider friends and not employees. The route selection and ability to go up and pull harder on new indoor projects is also a big plus as are the classes like yoga.

Where are your favorite places to climb outside?

Jason’s views of climbing really just opened up at Smith Rock for it’s sheer beauty, short hike from the Bivy and variety of routes. As a family we like the John Wayne Trail at Exit 38 for it’s ease of access for Jillian and Mia with comfortable and safe(ish) areas to set up a blanket where they can chill when not climbing. The climbs at Vantage do seem to suit J&M’s ability to go up and pull harder a little more however!

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

When not climbing, Jason likes to buy climbing gear, watch climbing videos and discuss climbing with an (un)willing listener. Megan enjoys crafts, being the personal Uber to J&M for their various activities and Facebook stalking her friends and foes. Jillian and Mia love to swim, dance, play various sports, books and coloring. They can often be found at the gym climbing a little, playing on their ipads, brushing holds, wiping down some padding or drawing and coloring pictures for anyone willing to take one and promise to hang on their wall or fridge.

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

Statistics have shown the leading probability of the cause of Jason and Megan’s eventual divorce will be Jason’s foray into Trad climbing and the subsequent purchase of a quadruple rack, 3 more ropes, 74 slings and 273 more carabiners, a Sprinter Van w/buildout along with a new house to store it in.

What’s your go-to route grade?

Indoors, Jason enjoys climbing in the 5.11’s and V4’s, Megan loves some 5.9’s and J&M enjoy going up and pulling harder in the 5.6/5.7 range. Mostly J&M like to Peter Pan down (lower). Outside the grades have been much more conservative, in the 5.9 range. This is the year we start sending hard and really learning to push ourselves into harder grades and crushing. We hope to see J&M sending some 5.7 at 38, and maybe some 5.8 at Vantage this year.

Benjamin Brown & Kalista Shult

Edgeworks members since 2016 & 2017

How did you start climbing?

Ben: I started with The Mountaineers’ Basic Alpine Climbing course. That course included some rock skills, but I really fell in love with rock climbing after I took their Sport Climbing course.

Kalista: A friend invited me to go climbing with him at Exit 38 back in 2013. I did some bouldering after that but didn’t climb on a regular basis until I started climbing with Ben last year.

Why do you climb at Edgeworks?

Ben: It’s close to home, has fun, varied routes, and I almost always see someone I know there. Stoked for the expansion!

Kalista: Everything that Ben said! I really like the environment at Edgeworks, and I think we are incredibly lucky to have it so close to our home.

Where is your favorite place to climb outside?

Ben: Liberty Bell has been my favorite climb so far, and Exit 38 is probably my go-to because there’s decent variety and I can get there after work. Really looking forward to checking out Index this summer.

Kalista: I’ve only climbed outside at Exit 38, Vantage, and in Leavenworth. Of those, I’ve had the most fun at Vantage, but I am excited to do more outdoor climbing!

What do you do when you’re not climbing?

Ben: I’m an instructional coach in a local school district, where I help teachers use effectively the technology that the district is bringing in.

Kalista: I am a full-time nanny, and I’ve also been involved with Jet City Improv for the last 9 years and occasionally house manage that theater.

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

Kalista: I had to take a break from climbing after accidentally stabbing my hand and severing a nerve while getting an avocado pit out. I am now extremely careful when removing avocado pits.

What’s your go-to route grade?

Ben: 5.11ish top rope, 5.10ish lead, 5.fun trad!

Kalista: 5.8. I am working on harder stuff all the time, but that’s definitely my go-to.