Cover photo courtesy of Donnie Kissick
Wild Walls Climbing Gym will mark its 30th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 11, with a day of free-entry climbing, the free Dirty Thirty climbing competition and a party that evening. The anniversary bash from 4 to 8 p.m. will be co-hosted by the Bower Climbing Coalition (BCC)—also celebrating its 10th anniversary—with beer proceeds benefiting BCC’s important work, which includes replacing dangerous, corroded climbing anchors and bolts and organizing crag cleanups. Feast World Kitchen will be serving up international eats from Spokane’s immigrant and refugee community. Indoor climbing will remain free all day, and DJ N8BIT will be spinning through the evening.
Founded in Spokane’s historic Old State Armory building in 1995, Wild Walls was one of the first indoor climbing gyms to open in the Northwest and has expanded its space and offerings several times over the years. The 12,000-square-foot gym includes two large bouldering areas and 40-foot top-roping and lead walls. Wild Walls provides beginner and advanced classes, youth programs, yoga, group event options and a portable wall for rent.
“The party and competition are a celebration of 30 years and a thank-you to the continued support from our community,” notes general manager Todd Mires. “We are honored that so many people have had their first climbing experience with us, and we will continue to be a climbing-community hub and place people can call home.”
The full day of anniversary celebrations kicks off with the Dirty Thirty route and boulder comps that run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can compete at any time throughout the day. Point values will be assigned to every existing route and boulder in the gym, with a final score tallied from the combined point value of the top 30 routes or boulders. Find more details at Wildwalls.com. (OTO)
