Member Spotlight: May 2018
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.
