Rich Johnston

Rich Johnston is the co-founder of Vertical World, America’s first commercial climbing gym, and owner of Elevate Climbing Walls. Johnston established Vertical World with Dan Cauthorn in 1987, helping pioneer the indoor climbing industry. Over the years, he has also helped steward the industry as a Founding Board Member and Chairman of the Climbing Wall Association (1994-2010) and co-author of the first published Climbing Gym Industry Practices. Today, Vertical World operates two full-service facilities—in Seattle and Lynnwood, Washington.