Climbing to New Heights: Summit Everett

Editor’s note: Originally published October 19, 2018. Updated January 16, 2020.

Warning: A fun and full body workout ahead!

From top rope to bouldering to slackline, the Summit climbing gym on Rucker Avenue has everything you need to enjoy rock climbing, but without the commute to the Cascades.

Wait… top rope? Bouldering? Slackline? Exercise?

Top rope is the climbing that involves harnesses, ropes, carabiners (those keychains you love), and a technique called “belaying,” which prevents the climber from falling more than a few feet and then allows them to be luxuriously lowered to the ground by someone else. But if all your “friends” are “busy,” you can be spotted by a cool machine called an “auto belay.”

Bouldering is climbing at a lower height with no ropes, no harness, but, thankfully very thick soft floor pads. Both types of climbing take place on tall, vertical, slanted and inverted walls covered in hundreds of individual holds of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

To heck with clouds—stare at the walls and behold treasures like wax lips, tortoise shells, Dr. Seuss stalagmites, hand muffs and things that should probably be biopsied.

My favorite holds are literally in the shape of baby doll heads.

Baby.

Doll.

Heads.

So awesome. Sadly, the heads were out of my reach. Speaking of babies, slackline is basically the spawn of a tightrope and a ratchet strap. It’s challenging but super silly fun due to the wobbling one’s whole body does when first learning. It also makes a great respite for your arms and fingers between climbs.

Oh, and exercise is something I realized I don’t do enough of.

But have no fear—it’s a judgment-free zone. With 70s rock music playing over the speakers and people of all ages doing their own thing however they want to do their thing, the whole atmosphere is super chill. (Complete with a super chill dog named Otso chilling in the lobby.)

Want some guidance? They have classes. Want some girl time? They have ladies nights. Thirsty from being out of breath? They have lots of cold drinks for sale. Have guns that need showin’? They have cool tank tops and t-shirts for sale. Want a rad birthday party? They got you. Happy Birthday, by the way.

Summit Everett is a blast. And as soon as my wet noodle limbs are re-solidified, I’m going back. Did you hear me, baby doll heads? I’m coming for you.

Summit Everett
2820 Rucker Ave
425-349-0131

Britney Barber is a writer/performer/teacher and the owner of Everett Improv in downtown, where she lives with her wife, Dr. Jennifer Barber, and their four dogs of varying sizes and temperaments. She grew up in the Philadelphia area and has a degree in Mass Communication and Media Writing from La Salle University. Outside of teaching youth and adult improv courses at Everett Improv's space in the Everett Public Market building, she also produces monthly improv comedy shows at Cafe Zippy and the Historic Everett Theatre. www.everettimprov.com

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