Vertical World

Vertical World - America's First Climbing Gym was the first indoor climbing gym in North America. [1] It is a string of rock climbing gyms spread throughout the Greater Seattle area. There are four gyms, located in Seattle, Redmond, Tacoma and Everett, Washington, United States. [2]

AbOUT the Gym

Vertical World was established by Rich Johnston and Dan Cauthorn in 1987 on Elliott Ave in Seattle, Washington. The first gym was no more than rocks glued to painted plywood panels, and began as a venue to provide experienced climbers with indoor climbing facilities. As the climbing industry grew Vertical World expanded, with its four gyms now serving all ranges of ability - from young children beginning to climb to older, more experienced climbers. [2]

Vertical World Climbing Team

The Vertical World Climbing Team, also established in 1987, consists of many of the nation's strongest youth climbers. Its colors are Red and White. Its key symbol/logo is a shield featuring Seattle's icon - the Space Needle with the words reading: Vertical World Climbing Team est. 1987. As of February 15, 2009, is ranked 1st in the United States, for bouldering (unroped climbing on short walls). As of July 2009, Vertical World is ranked 2nd nationally in sport climbing (roped climbing on very tall walls), behind Team Texas and Zero Gravity. [3][4]

Team Championship History

Team Vertical World has participated in many National Championships across the U.S. the last few years, placing first twice, and also second on two occasions.

  • 2005 Team National Championship - 2nd Place - SCS (Sport Climbing Series [5])
  • 2006 Team National Championship - 1st Place - SCS
  • 2007 Team National Championship - 2nd Place - SCS
  • 2008 Team National Championship - 1st Place - ABS (American Bouldering Series [6])
  • 2008 Team PNW (Pacific North West [6]) Regional Championship - 1st Place - SCS
  • 2008 Team National Championship - 5th Place - SCS
  • 2009 Team PNW Regional Championship - 1st Place - ABS
  • 2009 Team National Championship - 1st Place - ABS
  • 2009 Team PNW Regional Championships - 1st Place - SCS
  • 2009 Team DIV1 Championships - 2nd Place - SCS
  • 2009 Team National Championships - 3rd Place - SCS
  • 2010 Team PNW Regional Championships - 1st Place - ABS
  • 2010 Team National Championships - 1st Place - ABS
  • 2010 Team PNW Regional Championships - 1st Place - SCS
  • 2010 Team DIV1 Championships - 2nd Place - SCS
  • 2010 Team National Championships - 3rd Place - SCS
  • 2011 Team PNW Regional Championships - 1st Place - ABS
  • 2011 Team National Championships - 2nd Place - ABS
  • 2011 Team PNW Regional Championships - 1st Place - SCS
  • 2011 Team DIV1 Championships - 2nd Place - SCS
  • 2011 Team National Championships - 5th Place - SCS
  • 2012 Team PNW Regional Championships - 1st Place - ABS
  • 2012 Team DIV1 Championships - 1st Place - ABS
  • 2012 Team National Championships - 4th Place - ABS
  • 2012 Team PNW Regional Championships - 1st Place - SCS
  • 2012 Team DIV1 Championships - 2nd Place - SCS
  • 2012 Team National Championships - 3rd Place - SCS

Vertical World has also been privileged to have members of their team go to the IFSC Climbing Youth World Championships. Members including:

Mikaila Leonardi - France 02, Bulgaria 03, Scotland 04, Austria 06
Ellen French - Bulgaria 03
Sydney McNair - Scotland 04, China 05
Bryan Hopkins - Scotland 04, Austria 06, Ecuador 07
Bryan Boyko - Austria 06
Carl Husmann - Austria 06
Rebekah Byington - Austria 06
Meg Coyne - Ecuador 07, Australia 08
Melissa Main - Ecuador 07
Audrey Hsu - Australia 08, France 09, Austria 11
Kayla Erickson - Australia 08
Alex Fritz - France 09, Scotland 10, Austria 11, Singapore 12
Chelsea M-Loftland - France 09
Victoria Cartwright - France 09
Grace Baker - France 09
Sean Bailey - Austria 11, Singapore 12
Shannon Russell - Singapore 12

North American Continental Championships is a competition that takes place every two years (even-numbered years) in which The United States, Canada and Mexico compete for the title of "North American Continental Champion," a position that gives you a free bye to Youth World Championships. Here is a list of Vertical World Climbing Team members who have competed at NACC and the location/year:

Sydney Mcnair - Mexico City 04, Denver 06
Bryan Hopkins - Denver 06
Rebekah "Beka" Byington - Denver 06
Melissa Main - Mexico City 04
Mikaila Leonardi - Mexico City 04
Victoria Cartwright - Denver 06, Motreal 08
Audrey Hsu - Denver 06
Alex Fritz - Denver 06, Ecuador 10
Bret Johnston - Montreal 08
Amelia Fischer-Linnett - Montreal 08
Dalton Fischer-Linnett - Montreal 08
Kale Perrone - Montreal 08
Melina Costanza - Ecuador 10
Gavin Robertson - Ecuador 10

Vertical World Climbing Team is very honored to have team members climb at that level with many other climbers from across the world. The coach, Tyson Schoene has been the coach for several years now, and is still looking forward to his future star athletes making it to the World Championships.

Coaching



Tyson Schoene, the current head coach of the Vertical World Climbing Team has also been climbing since his younger years. Although he is beginning to develop what he calls "OLDMANITIS," Tyson still continues to "send" hard problems, whether he be getting his "train" on with his team, or heading outside to climb with fellow friend, Jake. Tyson has gone to the IFSC Youth World Championships on multiple occasions because of his star athletes, and has enjoyed every minute of it. And even though he can get very frustrated at times, he loves watching them grow into not only great climbers, but great people, too. The Vertical World Climbing Team loves Tyson and thanks him very much for his devotion to making them stronger climbers and pushing them to the best of their abilities.

Assistant Coaches include:
Vertical World Redmond - Ross Halverson, Alex Fritz
Vertical World Seattle - Ross Halverson, Alex Fritz
Vertical World Everett - Josh Hodges, Alex Fritz


All of the assistant coaches of the Vertical World Climbing Team are equally devoted as head coach, Tyson, pushing their kids to their total potential and making them as great as they can be.

See also

  • Climbing
  • Indoor climbing
  • Climbing wall