Member Spotlight: Feb 2018
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.
