Lead Partner - Vertical World North

Hey everyone, I'm brand new here, and I'm hoping to get back into climbing after many years of just hiking and scrambling around the area. Hope it's OK to look for gym partners here! I climbed a bit in college with the UW climbing club, but almost exclusively indoors. I'm hoping to expand my skills to some outdoor cragging and at some point in future years some mellow alpine climbs.

I took the Vertical World "Intro to Indoor Climbing" class last night and got re-acquainted with top roping, but I don't have friends who climb... yet. It would be great to make some friends who don't mind hanging out with a beginner in your gym sessions. I have the 2 week free Vertical World membership starting today, so I hope to be going to either location a few times in the next couple of weeks.

I plan on checking out the north location this afternoon--if you see a beer belly in the bouldering area, it's probably me!

Hey Ryan, I’ve had my membership frozen for the summer but should be coming back to it soon. I’d be happy to hang out and swap belays.

Hey I’m also pretty new here. I’ve been wanting to check out Vertical World. I’d be down to swap belays on top rope sometime. 

Cool, I just finished my 2 week trial membership and I'm going to sign up for monthly, especially since they have new auto belays installed, at least at the north location. I'll PM both of you with contact info so maybe we can meet up sometime. I've been climbing mostly at the north gym since it's easier for me to get to, but I need to go back to the Seattle location and see if they have their auto belays back.

I've actually already met 3 people to swap belays with at the north location, and one of them was even the Seattle area sales rep for a major climbing equipment manufacturer! In the past I probably wouldn't have had the confidence to approach random people, but I'm glad I have because everyone has been super nice.

Also I climbed my first 5.10's yesterday, both "on-sight" although the auto belays took a few pounds off my beer belly. Climbing is fun!

Hey Ryan, I know this thread is old, but I'm moving to the area in March & VW North is probably where I will train. If you still need partners, hmu!

Hello Maris, thanks for the reply. I'm still going to VW North 2-3x per week, and have worked my way up to 5.11b on a good day, and gotten into crack climbing to train for crags like Index eventually. I'm normally there Mon-Wed-Fri evenings after 8:00, because that's when all the kids groups usually end and there is actually parking available. I'm not very connected and don't have a cell phone, but let me know when you get into town and we can plan a meet up.

Sounds good Ryan!

Sorry to bump this again, just an update I'm taking the lead class at Vertical World North so I will need someone to partner with soon! I figure I need to get going on this journey toward real alpine climbing sooner rather than later.

I will be headed up there in a couple weeks!

Hey Ryan, I’m up at VWN 4 to 5 times a week and almost exclusively been doing auto belays. Would love to meet up some time and get some routes in with you!

Ryan & Mitch-- I am climbing at VNW next week Tues-Thurs if either of you want to meet. You can email me at hockingma@gmail.com