events
The Uplift Downgrade is BACK! Now in our fourth year, we figured it’s time to mix it up. You’ll be climbing in new categories, you’ll be competing in a new format. But what’s great about the Downgrade isn’t changing — great fun, great community, great prizes, and great live music.
Sign up to compete with us on June 28, climb with your friends, win prizes in our Big Raffle, and enjoy live music from our friends in the Josh Hou Group. Don’t miss our biggest event of the year!
categories
women: Beginner, Intermediate, Advance, Open
men: Beginner, Intermediate, Advance, Open
non-binary: Beginner, Intermediate, Advance, Open
Beginner: V0-V2
Intermediate: V3-V5
Advanced: V6-V8
Open: V8+
Sign up to climb in Session 1 or Session 2, and you’ll choose your category on the day-of when you pick up your scorecard.
format
This year’s Downgrade is will be a Classic Redpoint format. Instead of having specific routes assigned to your category, every route will be available to you.
Routes will be assigned a point value from easiest to hardest.
Each route will have a mid-way Zone that’s worth 50pts, regardless of difficulty. You’ll either get points for reaching zone or topping out, but not both!
We’ll be counting points for all the routes you climb, not just the top 5.
registration
SESSION 1: 10a-1p
SESSION 2: 2p - 5p
PRE-REGISTRATION
$49 MEMBERS
$59 NON-MEMBERS
DAY-OF REGISTRATION
$55 MEMBERS
$65 NON-MEMBERS
Registration is OPEN!
waiver
PLEASE make sure you sign a waiver before coming to Uplift, as that will greatly expedite the check-in process. Click the button below to create a profile and fill out a digital waiver. Youth under 18 will need to have their parents create a profile first, add youth to their household, and sign a waiver for them.
food
North City is a pretty great neighborhood to be in! If you’re hungry, please stop by some of our local establishments.
Ichi Bento, just two doors down from Uplift. Our favorite teriyaki spot with some of the best chicken in the city.
Sodam Korean Fried Chicken
Suni’s Express, pizza, subs, and salads.
Tacos El Encanto, a delicious taco truck in the parking lot of the Shell gas station. Not vegetarian friendly.
live music
We’re excited to bring back the Josh Hou Group to help us celebrate the wrap-up of the Downgrade! They’ll start playing right as Session 2 ends, so make sure to stick around and enjoy the music while we calculate scores and winners.
Josh’s band helped us celebrate the Lunar New Year in February, check out this recap video!
spectating
Not a climber but still curious about what we’re doing? You’re absolutely welcome to come spend your day with us! No ticket required, we’ll just ask you to sign a waiver to hang out in the gym. Come on by, enjoy the music, and watch some of the strongest climbers in the city pull down!
With Bouldering Basics classes available every day of the week, who knows, maybe the Downgrade will inspire you to give climbing a try!
gym schedule
With all the special events going on in June, we'll have some rolling closures between June 20-28.
Friday 6/20: North wall closed at 5p.
Saturday 6/21: North wall closed.
Sunday 6/22: North wall closed. 30deg + 45deg closed at 5p.
Monday 6/23: North wall + 30deg + 45deg closed. Training boards at 60deg remain open.
Tuesday 6/24: 8a-8p. Fitness Area and Training Boards only.
Wednesday 6/25: 8a-8p. Fitness Area and Training Boards only
Thursday 6/26: 8a-6p, Fitness Area and Training Boards only.
Friday 6/27: Gym Closed
Saturday 6/28: Uplift Downgrade! Closed for regular use.
Sunday 6/29: Regular Gym Hours
These hours are subject to change as we prep for our events. Please keep an eye on any in-gym signage or updated hours on our website during that week!
last year’s downgrade
sponsors
A huge thanks to our partners for making this event happen!
ROUTESETTING CLINICS
We’re proud to offer routesetting clinics once again at Uplift Climbing! We’re hugely passionate about the trade of routesetting, and love to provide opportunities for people to learn from the best. With two clinics to match varying levels of experience, this is a learning opportunity that you won’t want to miss.
Our Introduction to Routesetting and Professional Development Routesetting Clinics are led by Moé Corbett and Joshua Haynes, both seasoned veterans of the industry. With over 30 years of setting experience combined, they bring a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience that they’re really excited to share!
We’re especially excited to add a Women’s Only Introduction to Routesetting Clinic, led by Moé Corbett and Elly McClane. This opportunity comes from much demand for a learning environment that prioritizes getting more women comfortable in routesetting spaces.
Introduction to Routesetting Clinic
6/21 • Saturday • 8a-4p
Our Introductory Clinics are open to people with little to no setting experience. If you’re exploring routesetting as a career, or looking for tips for your home wall, this is the clinic for you!
We’ll cover fundamentals such as the basic Goals of Routesetting, creating routes for others (not just you!), hold selection, grades, styles, and safety. You’ll learn about basic movement while exploring the difference between “progression” and “cruxes”. If you’re hoping to become a routesetter as a career, we’ll talk about what opportunities in the future look like, surrounding both career and health.
You’ll start the day with these basics, while putting holds on the wall under the watchful eye of expert instruction. Later on, you’ll set routes and forerun as a crew, with lots of hands-on attention from instructors. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
I had an amazing time setting at the Uplift clinic. I've done a few other routesetting clinics but what made Uplift's stand out was that the instructors, aside from just teaching how to use tools and put holds on the wall, dived into details about the theory of routesetting and how to set quality boulders. I learned the most at Uplift! - Matin, 2023 Clinic Participant
Participants are accepted by application on a rolling basis. Applications are open, with early responses going out by May 2.
Clinic Cost is $195
Participants must be able to climb at a V3 level
We’ll have extra pairs of safety glasses, but if you have any other personal protective equipment, please bring it (work gloves. ear plugs, etc).
This clinic is led by Josh Haynes and Moé Corbett.
If you’re limited financially or are underrepresented in the climbing industry, we’re happy to provide scholarships as well. Please reach out to andrew@upliftclimbing.com for any questions regarding financial aid.
Women’s Only Introduction to Routesetting Clinic
6/22 • Sunday • 8a-4p
As we’ve hosted routesetting clinics over the years, it’s become increasingly apparent that we should provide learning opportunities in women’s specific spaces. This year, we’re excited to bring a version of our Introduction to Routesetting Clinic that is by-and-for women.
Participants are accepted by application on a rolling basis. Applications are open, with early responses going out by May 2.
Clinic Cost is $175
This clinic is open to women (trans and cis) and any nonbinary people who are comfortable in women’s specific spaces.
Participants must be able to climb at a V3 level
We’ll have extra pairs of safety glasses, but if you have any other personal protective equipment, please bring it (work gloves. ear plugs, etc).
This clinic is led by Moé Corbett and Elly McClane.
If you’re limited financially or are underrepresented in the climbing industry, we’re happy to provide scholarships as well. Please reach out to andrew@upliftclimbing.com for any questions regarding financial aid.
Professional Development Clinic
6/23-24 • Monday-Tuesday • 8a-4p
This clinic is for existing routesetters that are looking to gain more experience in a professional setting. You’ll learn and work with other participants while receiving lots of hands-on attention from instructors, covering both the commercial and competition side of routesetting.
Topics covered include:
Advanced Setting Techniques and Movement Analysis
Aesthetics
Holds vs Volumes
Functional vs Contemporary
Working on a Routesetting Team
Communication, Trust, Adaptation
Decision Making
Setting/Forerunning outside of climbing style and “ability”
Industry best practices
If you’re another gym, this is a great opportunity to send your team to receive fresh ideas and learn industry best practices! Your routesetters will learn from the best, while also spending two full days collaborating with others in an environment that will bring out the best in them.
The Uplift Setting Clinic provides an environment that challenges your setting process, regardless of how long you've been in the game. It's a breath of fresh air for the craft in a world of commercial sets and competition setting guidelines. - Emmett Cookson, 2024 Clinic Participant
My experience with the routesetting clinic was both inspiring and affirming. The opportunity to collaborate with peers from a variety of backgrounds created a rich, organic learning experience. The activities and discussions were valuable in the moment, and applicable to my work and my team. Since our time together, I've noticed I have a wider perspective and more focused skills, and I hope to participate again in the future. - Lauren Zammit, 2024 Clinic Participant
Participants are accepted by application on a rolling basis. Applications are open, with early responses going out by May 2.
Clinic Cost is $475
Participants must be able to climb at a V5 level
We’ll have extra pairs of safety glasses, but if you have any other personal protective equipment, please bring it (work gloves. ear plugs, etc).
If you’re limited financially or are underrepresented in the climbing industry, we’re happy to provide scholarships as well. Please reach out to andrew@upliftclimbing.com for any questions regarding financial aid
Moé Corbett - Instructor
Moé Corbett was born in Tokyo, Japan, and spent most of her time growing up in Florida, where her passion and love for climbing and routesetting began. With almost 10 years of experience routestting, she has set for a number of National and International competitions, and is currently a USA Climbing Level 4 Routesetter and an IFSC Level 2 Routesetter.
I love rock climbing, but I especially love how empowering it is. Although supported by friends and spotters to keep you psyched, it is really just you and the wall. To feel such vulnerability and fear, to have the thoughts of doubt, hesitation, and apprehension feel all so present, and to wonder for a moment if maybe it’s not possible for you, but to then have the mental fortitude to overcome it and try as hard as you can — I love all of that. It has also taught me so much: to be patient with yourself, that strength comes in many forms, to try hard and give it your all (and even what it means to try hard), and to, most importantly, always have fun.
Outside of routesetting, Moé spends her free time bouldering outside, reading, playing Magic, and watching her plants move very slowly.
Elly McClane — Instructor
Elly has been climbing for 22 years and setting for 4. She likes to draw on a mix of outdoor climbing and comp experience to set in a mix of styles. More than anything, Elly is passionate about getting women more comfortable in climbing and setting spaces.
Joshua Haynes — Instructor
Josh Haynes has been a professional route setter for over 20 years, and has set numerous championship level events including, but not limited to, USAC Adult Nationals, USAC Youth Nationals, and IFSC World Cups. He is a USAC Level 4 Certified Routesetter. Also an elite level climber, Josh has flashed boulders up to V13.
Having been the Director of Setting for several high profile, multi-location gyms, one of his primary focuses is mentoring and developing routesetters of all abilities. He continues to share his experience and knowledge through setting clinics.
Josh’s goals for setting are to continually push the boundaries and blur the lines between the “flow” of outdoor climbing, and the limitless possibilities of indoor movement. He also strives to inspire and push the community beyond their preconceived limitations, not only physically but mentally as well.
calendar
She Rocks Climb Night
June 17, Tuesday, 7p-9p
Join She Rocks for a fun weekday evening of bouldering! Women and non-binary folks of all climbing levels are welcome. Discounted day passes for $15, with rental shoes included. Come join us for monthly fun, and look for Leigh our host in the blue tank top!
Book Club
June 19, Thursday, 630p
Get together with other climbers and talk about not-climbing! What an idea. Hosts Nate and Victoria want to get people together and talk about the fun books we're reading. This will be the first meeting of a regular book club, and will continue on every 3rd Thursday of the month!
Feel free to bring dinner to eat in the mezzanine, dessert will be provided.
The first book is The Will of the Many by James Islington.
Full reading of the book is not required, however spoilers may be discussed!
No sign-up is required, just feel free to drop in.
Need a copy of the book? Hit up our friends at Ridgecrest Books just down the street! They're our favorite neighborhood bookstore, just a mile away from Uplift.
Shoot us an email if you have any questions!
Routesetting Clinics
June 21, Saturday, 8a-4p — Introduction to Routesetting Clinic
June 22, Sunday, 8a-4p — Women’s Only Introduction to Routesetting Clinic
June 23-24, Monday-Tuesday, 8a-4p — Professional Development Routesetting Clinic
See above for more details!
Uplift Downgrade 2025
June 28
Our biggest event of the year! See above for more details!
July 4 BBQ Potluck
July 4, Friday, 1pm
More details TBA!
past events
kaiju climbathon
a three-gym endurance battle for seattle
And the winner is….EDGEWORKS SEATTLE! With almost 800 routes climbed, and anchored by bicycle-travel from Momentum to Edgeworks to Uplift, Team Edgeworks brought home the trophy!
Thanks to everyone for an amazing Saturday. It was so much fun to climb and party with everyone all day, to get to know people from other gyms, enjoy the beautiful weather, and celebrate this amazing community. We’ll see you at the next one!
A portion of registration has been donated to the Washington Climbers Coalition. The WCC’s mission is to make Washington a better place to climb through advocacy, stewardship, and education. If you’ve hiked the trail to Snow Creek Wall, climbed anywhere in Gold Bar or Index, clipped bolts at Little Si, or been to pretty much any other climbing area in the state, you’ve enjoyed the efforts of the WCC!
lunar new year &
anniversary celebration
February 1, Saturday, 4p
FREE for members!
Everybody knows the real New Year's celebration happens at the Lunar New Year. And coincidentally, this year it falls on the same week as the 4 year anniversary of Uplift's opening. Let's have a party!
Climbing has always been the thing that’s brought us together, so what a great time to celebrate the members, the community, and the neighborhood that make Uplift special. You’ll need a day pass to climb, but it’s free to come enjoy the music in the evening!
FOOD TRUCK: 5p-8p
Kathmandu MoMoCha will be in our parking lot in the evening for you to enjoy delicious Himalayan Street Food! Get your session in, then enjoy some delicious dumplings.
LIVE DRAWING: 5p-6p
Our friend dozfy is BACK, this time with live art! If you enjoy the beautiful murals on our walls, or the Friendly Crewneck, make sure to come by and meet the man. Bring a photo of your pet and dozfy will send you home with a keepsake pet portrait!
LIVE MUSIC: 730p-830p
The Josh Hou Group is coming with a quintet to entertain you with modern arrangements of Chinese folk tunes, as well as plenty of Mando-pop, Canto-pop, and Tai-pop.
Live music starts at 730p, invite a friend (or your mom!) and bring a folding chair! There’s no cost if you’re just coming to enjoy the tunes, but there will be a tip jar for the musicians. No climbing once the music starts.
SHOP
Need to show the world how much you love climbing? Say no more. Craggu has you covered with handmade and upcycled climbing rope tote bags, and will have a bunch for sale during our event!
MEET-UP
Looking for your crew? Our friends at the Asian Climbing Collective are hosting their first ever Seattle meetup that evening! Come say hi and meet host Lin!
SUPPORT
A huge thanks to Flashed for the support in making this event happen. And for making the best chalk and bouldering gear in the business.
Arc’teryx Seattle can always be counted on for helping us throw a party. Thanks for helping with this one!
