Edgeworks Climbing Bel-Red — Local services in Bellevue

If you've never climbed before, this is a good place to start. If you're interested in real high quality climbing, continue reading. This gym exemplifies the transition made from Stone Gardens "the climbers gym" to Edgeworks "climbing and guiding". The facility is spacious and enjoyable to be in, but was not designed for people who are serious (or even used to the design at EW Bellevue) about climbing. The spray wall set up is laughable and appears to be designed without input from anyone who has ever used a spraywall. The wall angles appear to have been selected for beginner climbers, the majority of the angles are 0 to 15 degrees overhung. The areas with steeper climbing weren't really optimized; the prow in the back has way too tall of a kickboard, the section in the front is only overhung for like 6 feet before transitioning back to a less steep angle. The density of climbs is poor, especially on the steeper angles. The arch is too low to be properly utilized and seems more of a bragging point than something climbable. The route setting is only adequate, I would have liked to see climbs that offer more of an "experience" or make you think. Reading the climb and figuring out beta before getting on the wall is pretty much unnecessary. I am happy to see new, well selected climbing holds, a nice workout area, and a communal sink area outside of a bathroom. Unfortunately the culture of EW and poor decisions related to climbing design make this gym only a "once in a while" visit.

TLDR: good facility design, bad wall design, good hold selection,...

Recently started climbing. Went one day, with no experience or knowledge, was helped and given a ton of advice and a walk through of what to look for and to do. Staff kept checking on us to make sure we were doing well. Left that day and came back the next with a membership. Having been climbing for a little while now while also traveling, I can say out of the places I’ve been and gone, BRB is one of the better gym experiences. Fun climbs, well organized, amazing gym facilities and a really kind and fun staff. Love watching the setters all set routes when I’m there and seeing them try their own creations. Such a fun environment and totally work stopping by to give it a try. As an introverted person, how open and spaced out the gym and routes are is truly a plus side. It has really helped my progression being able to move around the gym and really not ever having to wait for a route and being...

As a summer member, I find that while the gym is clean and well-maintained, the routes have significant flaws. The grading is wildly inconsistent, and many climbs seem untested. This is evident from missing bolts that cause holds to flex off the wall and poorly designed movements, such as dynos blocked by large volumes. The frequency of these issues undermines the climbing experience. I feel I don't trust the routes any longer.

If its not already being done, a more communal approach where setters test each other's routes could improve grading consistency and ensure climbs are approachable for...