Summit Everett
Everett, Washington
Specs: The operators of Summit Everett—an Everett, Washington-based climbing gym—reopened their gym in a new location on August 30th this year. Originally founded as Cascade Crags in 1996, the climbing gym has undergone a number of evolutions over the years: In 2006, Vertical World purchased the gym, which at the time had offered roped climbing. Then in 2015, Vertical World moved out of the space, making way for the Summit Everett team to move in and reopen the gym in 2016, following some renovations. The gym was then temporarily closed in November 2023 ahead of the relocation project, before being reopened this time as a 24-hour-access bouldering gym just a few blocks from the original location.
According to Daniel Coltrane, co-owner and operations manager of Summit Everett, the ownership team had been looking to shake up its business model of late. “We were trying to expand into fitness and 24-hour access, and the location where we are fits that,” he said, citing ease of access, a modern feel and the building’s layout—large enough to accommodate the gym’s new bouldering walls—as key factors that went into the relocation decision. Situated under a new apartment building, in a former grocery store, another perk of moving into the new location was the ability to have a more advanced HVAC system in the gym, added Coltrane.
With the idea in mind of “[narrowing] down the focus on fitness and bouldering” Coltrane said, the gym was constructed with an 8,300-square-foot fitness area and a variety of bouldering walls reaching 14 feet. “We probably don’t quite do as many youth programs or youth offerings as we did before,” Coltrane noted, but the owners hope the new space will accomplish the goal of providing “a more comfortable environment for people.” In addition to the upgraded HVAC system, other improvements for the gym include a larger air handling system and modernized lighting and sound systems. Coltrane acknowledged the relocation took a lot of time and patience to come together; in the end, he reiterated that the excitement of “having a brand-new space instead of the older space, which was a little bit worn out,” was worth the wait.
Walls: Owner/contractor
Flooring: Cascade Specialty
CRM Software: Capitan
Website: summiteverett.com
Instagram: @SummitEverett
In Their Words: “We are very excited to have a continued presence in Downtown Everett and to help build the vibrant climbing community. We think our expanded fitness offerings and 24-hour access are going to be something that all of our community members will be excited to take advantage of.” – Daniel Coltrane, Summit Everett Co-Owner and Operations Manager
