Climb to New Heights at the Y!
The Y specializes in outdoor rock climbing, team building, and challenge course experiences. Our staff-facilitated programs allow participants to develop skills and relationships in a respectful and supportive learning environment. All of our facilitators are CPR/First Aid certified, and trained to Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards.
Outdoor Climbing Programs
Drop-in to open climb at a tower, sign up for a kids or family climbing class series, or inquire about a small group tower or course rental. Climbing gear and helmets are provided.
Open Climb Reservations
Our towers at our Northshore and Auburn Y's are open to members ages 5+! Come and climb as a family for FREE! Reserve your 90 minute spot up to two days prior. Kids under 14 must be accompanied by an adult from the same membership and household.
Northshore YMCA Reservation >
Auburn Valley YMCA Reservation >
Youth Climbing Classes
Learn about climbing safety, equipment, technique, and commands, plus knot tying. Led by our rock star staff, kids and tweens ages 5 to 12 will be challenged while having a blast! Beginner and Advanced options available.
Family Climbing
Take your family on a vertical adventure! This series, for kids ages 5+ with an adult, covers climbing safety, equipment, technique, commands, and knot tying plus fun games and challenges. Adults can also learn to belay. Registration required for each individual family member that is attending the class.
Tower & Course Rentals
Celebrate a special occasion or take your team to new heights with our Northshore YMCA tower or Odyssey High Ropes Challenge course at Cottage Lake Park. Both are available for small group rentals.
To learn more, email >
ychallenge@seattleymca.org
Outdoor Tower Locations
Our outdoor climbing towers are located in Auburn, Bothell, and Woodinville.
Auburn Valley YMCA Alpine Tower
Our Alpine Tower is a 3-sided pyramid structure made of wood and has six different routes ranging in difficulty. Participants climb and maneuver around the various obstacles, using hand holds, ropes, wood, and nets.
Location: Auburn Valley YMCA in Auburn, WA
Northshore YMCA Tower
The tallest in the YMCA climbing network at 35 feet, this tower has 10 different routes and uses both auto belays (cables) and manual belays (ropes). It's a great way to team build or celebrate a special event.
Location: Northshore YMCA in Bothell, WA
Odyssey High Ropes Course
The Odyssey Course is a "Teams Course," designed for small groups to navigate our bi-level ropes course from start to finish. A trained facilitator will be their guide for the duration of the program. This high ropes course ranges in heights of 20-40ft, includes 10 different obstacles, and culminates with a "zip line" to the ground!
Location: Cottage Lake Park in Woodinville, WA
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who are the instructors?
Our instructors are ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology) trained facilitators with an enthusiasm for safety and customer experience. They are excited to work with groups and ages of all abilities to take you to the next level, or to just help you have some fun climbing outside! Usually there are at least two instructors present for each program.
How challenging are your structures?
As you might guess, the difficulty and challenge varies depending on who you are. But no matter what, every location has a challenge level appropriate for you. Our instructors are skilled in matching the challenge level to fit your needs and comfort.
What do I bring to class?
- Face coverings
- Closed-toed shoes
- Water bottle
- Comfortable athletic clothing that is appropriate for being outside for the duration of your program.
- Any snacks that you may want during your program.
The Y will provide all necessary safety gear for your program, including your own harness and helmet. Please do not bring your own safety gear.
Where and how do I check-in for my climbing class?
Please arrive 10 minutes early to your scheduled program for check-in and health screening at the front door of your facility. Once you have completed those two necessities, please proceed to the climbing area. For the Odyssey Course at Cottage Lake Park, please proceed directly to the Odyssey Course for check-in and health screening with the YMCA staff.
What are your safety protocols?
There is nothing more important to us than the safety of you, our members, our staff, and our volunteers.
- All participants will complete a health screening upon arrival.
- Disinfection of personal gear: Items such as harnesses and helmets
- Physical distancing: Our outdoor locations allow us to ensure distances of six feet or greater during the duration of the program. Family units will remain together when possible.
- Face coverings and more: Staff and participants are required to wear face coverings for the duration of the program, unless a person has a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that does not allow them to wear a mask. Staff will also have face shields while working at height and within 6 feet of others.
- Hand sanitizer & spray: Ample hand sanitizer will be available for cleaning hands throughout the duration of the program. We will also spray and wipe any high-touch areas between users.
Group sizes may increase as our region enters higher phases, but for now we are keeping group sizes small. This will allow us to abide by Washington State protocols, as well as maximize social distancing for households.
- Auburn (Alpine Tower and Climbing Wall) – 6 participants and 2 instructors.
- Northshore(Northshore Climbing Tower) – 10 participants and 2 instructors for Outdoor Family Climbing. 6 participants and 2 instructors for fee-based classes.
- Odyssey Course at Cottage Lake Park – Group max size of 50 (broken down into smaller groups of 10).
What about bathrooms?
All of our locations have access to water and restrooms, if needed, during your program.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email us at ychallenge@seattleymca.org.
Stay Engaged with the Y
Support Center
We've made it easier than ever to find member and account information with our new Support Center. Find instructions for managing your account, easy access to request forms, and a complete list of our policies all in one place.
Virtual Workouts and More
On-demand exercise, classes taught on livestream, activities for the whole family, and much more are now available through the Y. Take a short video tour to learn more about engaging with the Y from home.
Join the Y!
With a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being, and supporting our neighbors, your membership will not just bring about meaningful change in yourself, but also in your community.
.