Climbing Staff

Matt Denton Gym Manager

Street Cred: 14 years of climbing and instruction experience.  I have worked for Vertical World since 2010 in youth programs, adult classes, outdoor guiding, route-setting and the youth climbing team. I am a certified Single Pitch Instructor with the American Mountain Guide Association, a certified Wilderness First Responder, and a certified USA Climbing Coach. I obtained a M.S. in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University in 2010.

Climbing Experience: I started climbing outside Austin, Texas 14 years ago at age 17, because a friend needed a climbing partner. By age 19, I had started working for a summer camp as a member of the adventure recreation team. I taught rock climbing, rappelling, caving, team building and wilderness skills.

Favorite Climbing Area: Washington Pass will always hold a special place in my heart.
Contact Matt
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CJ Huseby Gym Assistant Manager

Street Cred: I am a certified Climbing Wall Instructor through the American Mountain Guides Association.

Climbing Experience: I started climbing in various places around Spokane in the summer of 2008 with some college buddies.  Though I started outdoors and still prefer climbing outdoors, it wasn’t until I climbed in the gym that winter that I gained a true appreciation for the sport.

Favorite Climbing Area: This is a question to which I could not possibly provide a direct answer.  There are, of course, places I prefer over others, but crowning one as the absolute best just isn’t possible.  When I think about a climbing area, I think about the experiences I’ve had there.  Each area, to me, represents memories of adventures, none of which I would trade for another.  I think the Beatles said it best, “In my life, I’ve loved them all.”
Contact CJ

 

Andy Nelson Facilities Coordinator

Street Cred: AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor, WMI Wilderness First Responder, Easy Street Veteran.

Climbing Experience: I started climbing in college on a bit of a fluke. I only needed a few general credits to graduate, so I was filling them with various outdoor PE classes, backpacking, snowshoeing, running; all things I had done before and knew I would enjoy. Then I took Beginning Rock Climbing. After day one I was immediately hooked. I continued and took the second class in the series, then became a TA for it (which also sparked my love of teaching this sport, but that’s a different story). After several quarters as a TA Vertical World offered me a position and I’ve never looked back.

Favorite Climbing Area: There are several areas that have special places in my heart. First would have to be the Far Side at exit 38. It’s where I first climbed outdoors, where I honed my technical skills, and the Snoqualmie Valley is where I spent a good deal of time as a youngster. For sheer beauty and volume though I would have to say Icicle Creek in Leavenworth is my current favorite area. It seems like you can’t walk 100 feet without running into a pristine rock face, and being nestled in that alpine environment makes it seem so surreal.
Contact Andy

Climbing Experience:  I’ve been climbing since I was in 6th grade starting at Vertical World. I also climbed on the competitive team for 5 years and continue to participate in local comps.

Favorite Climbing Area:  Joshua Tree! (I have a tattoo of one of those weird looking trees)

Daniel Pruss Front Desk/Youth Instructor

Street Cred: Started working at Vertical World in 2015

Climbing Experience: First visit to Vertical World was in 2012, was in youth programs, love climbing outdoors

Favorite Climbing Area: Probably Leavenworth, there’s never a shortage of fun routes, and it has a bit of everything.