Bouldering Project- Upper Walls — Attraction in Seattle

Upper Walls is part of Seattle Bouldering Project's new Fremont gym expansion. Upper Walls is a satellite building just a few minutes due north of where the main gym is slated to open. It is meant to be a 24 hours bouldering gym but currently is open from about 9-10 each day and is currently members only.

While the space has been advertised as smaller, it is by many metrics still quite large. There is just one large main climbing area but the amount of climbing wall this represents is at least equal to 2-3 'walls' at SBP.

The route setting and grading system are the same as that used at SBP and (based on the first setting) about on par in terms of difficulty at each color (white circuit untested). The set so far is quite fun with many varied types of movement. They seem to be emphasizing the upper end of the circuit colors so those who seek a more challenging experience will find more to do here.

Rather than locker rooms there are individual gender neutral bathrooms and changing rooms. There is also a small work space upstairs where you can look over the climbing area.

Some things I do wish they had include a small space for warming up/stretching as there is no space within the main climbing area that wouldn't get in people's way, some supplementary equipment such as rice buckets, and a hangboard or two.

Also parking is street only and it can be a bit crowded right around the gym so be prepared to park and walk a bit.

Overall I think Upper Walls is a fantastic addition to the Seattle climbing community and provides some much needed climbing space in north Seattle. The lack of crowds and new people really also help give the space a calm, more focused feel.

Can't...

Great layout especially for the space. Currently, you have to reserve a time slot ahead of time and once you get there they check your temperature (Edit: this is no longer the case). Lots of climbing space and storage cubbies especially with the limited capacity and requirement to reserve 1 1/2 hour time slots ahead of your visit. There is are a good variety of excellent problems as expected for SBP. If this wasn't a satellite of the main Fremont gym it could be seen as a bit overpriced at $18 for a day visit, but hopefully once things are able to be opened fully it is easy to go between this satellite and...

I don't know why but the routes here seemed the most thought out between all 3 seattle locations. Maybe because it is so small? Either way I had a good time and they have benches inside the whole climb space! What was really weird is most people didn't use them and sat around taking up extra room in the mats. Sooo weird. I love that the two Fremont locations have the toilets in their own little closet and changing spaces too. There's no parking so you better know how to parallel park and that was scarce...