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Routesetting

Your resources for routesetting – interviews, tips, and more.

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: November 2025

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The Art of Building Pump – CBJ Podcast with Daniel Cornella

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2025 Grip List Awards

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A Pioneer of the Climbing Gym Industry – CBJ Podcast with Mike Pont

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: October 2025

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Ready To Go Freelance? (online discussion ft. Nic Oklobzija)

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So You Want to Host a Comp? – CBJ Podcast with Nickolas Gagliardi

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: September 2025

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Fundamentals of Paraclimbing and Parasetting – CBJ Podcast with Mia DePaolis & Nat Vorel

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What is the Future of Routesetting Education? (online discussion ft. Jackie Hueftle)

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Setting the Tone: What Makes a Space Feel Good? – CBJ Podcast with Jesse Safford

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: August 2025

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Growing as a USAC Routesetter (online discussion ft. John Muse)

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Showing Up as an “Imposter”: 5 Tips From a Seasoned Instructor

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Wanted: Routesetter Opinions for Grip List and Routesetting Trends 2025 Survey

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How the Scientific Method Informs Routesetting – CBJ Podcast with Carly Snidow

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AI-Powered Routesetting Management: ClimbAlong’s SPOT System Puts Route Data at Your Fingertips

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Mentoring the Next Generation (online discussion ft. Louie Anderson)

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: July 2025

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How Much Are We Earning? 5 Takeaways From CBJ’s Compensation Survey for Climbing Gym Staff

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Setting for the Junior Powerhouse – The Setter’s Archive

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Balancing Art and Functionality in Hold Shaping – CBJ Podcast with Joey Jannsen

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How to Stay Healthy and Injury Free as a Career Routesetter (online discussion ft. Tyler Nelson)

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: June 2025

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Personal Insights – The Setter’s Archive

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Routesetting Trends 2024

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Bouldering Gym Granted OSHA Exemption

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: May 2025

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Building the Dream Team: Hiring and Training a Diverse Crew (online discussion ft. Stefanie Myr)

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Skill and Strength: Are They Synonymous in Setting? – CBJ Podcast with Iza Nowak

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CWA Summit 2025 – Observations From the Floor

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How to Set the Perfect Competition – The Setter’s Archive

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Routesetting Career Progression? (online discussion ft. Chris Danielson)

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An Episode of Affirmations: Battling Imposter Syndrome – CBJ Podcast with Ethan Paris

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: April 2025

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Standardized Boards, Spray Walls, and How Apps Like Crux Are Helping Bridge the Gap

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Climbing Professionals Will Convene in Salt Lake City Again – 2025 CWA Summit Week A to Z

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Upgrading Your Training With Atomik’s Power Endurance Edges

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Competition Routesetting and the Modern Gym (online discussion ft. Cody Grodzki)

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: March 2025

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Put a Drop in the Bucket When You Can – CBJ Podcast with Taylor Fragomeni

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Workload: How many boulders do YOU set each day? (online discussion ft. Ward Byrum)

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A Setter’s Perspective on Sustainable Holds – CBJ Podcast with Roy Quanstrom

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: February 2025

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The Setter in the Flatlands – CBJ Podcast with Armen Avanessian

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Setting for Spectators – The Setter’s Archive

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: January 2025

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The Top CBJ Podcast Episode of 2024 for Routesetters

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Vans on the Wall – CBJ Podcast with Ally Cruz

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Does anyone REALLY know what grades are? (online discussion ft. Flannery Shay-Nemirow & Tonde Katiyo)

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes: November 2024

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Classic Setting Tips for Modern Gyms – The Setter’s Archive

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2024 Grip List Awards

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What Is a “Chaos Bomb”? – CBJ Podcast with Annabelle Spingler

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Grip Showcase Salt Lake City: New Holds and Volumes of Fall 2024

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Getting Hired to Aging Out: How Long Can You Turn That Wrench? (online discussion ft. Kenny Benson & Morgan Young)

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes: October 2024

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Necessity Breeds Invention – CBJ Podcast with Andy Nelson

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Introducing Atomik’s Screw-On Adjustable Pinches

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Mission Im(possible)? Training to Climb Harder as a Full-Time Routesetter (online discussion ft. Jess West & Rocco Bocchicchio)

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Understanding Constants Over Time – CBJ Podcast with Claire Gordon

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You Can Strip My Boulder – CBJ Podcast with Blake Green

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On Eye-Pro, Ugly Boulders, and Influencers – CBJ Podcast with Kegan Minock

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Bless Its Brushless Heart – CBJ Podcast with Buck Yedor

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Thinking Outside Yourself: Behind the Wrench with Kevin McLean

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Days of the “Big Boss Brain” – CBJ Podcast with Kasia Pietras

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Calling All Climbing Professionals – 2024 CWA Summit Week A to Z

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Event Routesetting – Comps, Leagues, Holidays & More (webinar ft. Foxman McCarthy-James & Justin Wright)

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Keep Them Sketched Out – CBJ Podcast with Claire Kawainui Miller

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Indoor Climbing Expo 2023 – Observations From the Floor

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Vortex Launches Routesetting Program Data Survey

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes: March 2024

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Rise Above Launches New Consulting Network

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Your Sustainable Routesetting Program (webinar ft. Foxman McCarthy-James & Justin Wright)

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes: February 2024

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Routesetting Trends of 2023

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Grip Showcase Chattanooga: New Climbing Holds and Volumes of Winter 2023-2024

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes: January 2024

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The Top CBJ Stories of 2023

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The CBJ Grip Showcase Chattanooga Results Now Posted!

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes: December 2023

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Routesetting Consultations, Education Bottlenecks, and Data – CBJ Podcast With Foxman McCarthy-James and Justin Wright

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What Sessions Will You Attend at the Expo?

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Essentials for Routesetting on Ropes

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of November 2023

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2023 Grip List Awards

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Routesetting Through Pregnancy: Behind the Wrench With Carolina Fullerton

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What Has Approach Been Up To for Climbing Gyms This Year?

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of October 2023

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What American gyms can learn from Europe’s gym industry – CBJ Podcast With Dean Privett

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Routesetting in the Age of Social Media – CBJ Podcast With Stefanie Myr

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of September 2023

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Grip Showcase Salt Lake City: New Climbing Holds and Volumes of Summer 2023

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Ask a Setter: Why USAC Certifications Matter

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of August 2023

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A Team Effort: New CWA Routesetting Guide Was Years in the Making

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Wanted: Routesetter Opinions for Grip List 2023 Survey

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Adding What Should Always Have Been There – CBJ Podcast with Siege Climbing

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of July 2023

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Chalk Cartel: By and For Routesetters, As It Should Be

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Hold the Doors Open: Behind the Wrench With Sydney McNair

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Grip Showcase Pittsburgh: New Climbing Holds and Volumes of June 2023

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CWA Summit 2023 – Observations From the Floor

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9 Routesetting Essentials

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Revitalizing Routesetting for the Next Generation – CBJ Podcast with Louie Anderson

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Setter Summit 2.0 Combines With Grip Showcase In Salt Lake City

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The Rise of Grizzly Holds: From Routesetting and Coaching Together to Selling Holds in an International Market

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of May 2023

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Climbing Industry Gathers In Pittsburgh – 2023 CWA Summit Week A to Z

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Routesetting Models: Preserving the Passion (Truth Behind the Trade – Chapter 5)

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The Drill: A Routesetter’s Best Friend

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Sierra McMurry – Routesetting on Common and Uncommon Ground – CBJ Podcast

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of April 2023

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“More Keys to Route Setting;” A Behind-the-Scenes Interview With Jacky Godoffe

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Garrett Gregor – Coaching and Routesetting for Future Olympians – CBJ Podcast

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes of March 2023

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Don’t Miss Early Bird Pricing for the Indoor Climbing Expo

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The Clinics Honolulu

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Building Sustainable Routesetting Teams—and How Setting Exercises Can Help

Devin Dabney

New Climbing Holds and Volumes of February 2023

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Routesetting for Paraclimbers

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Registration Now Open for the Indoor Climbing Expo

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Ask a Setter: How to Set Harder Than You Climb

Louie Anderson

Updates From the Indoor Climbing Expo

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‘More Keys To Route Setting’ by Jacky Godoffe Now Available

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You’re Stronger if You’re Honest: Behind the Wrench With Abby Wilson

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Sustainability of a Routesetting Career (Truth Behind the Trade – Chapter 4)

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes of November 2022

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Ask a Setter: Tricks for Setting Harder Climbs

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Apps for Routesetting Management in 2022

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Setter Summit by Vertical Solutions in SLC January 11-14

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The Career Path of a Professional Setter (Truth Behind the Trade – Chapter 3)

Dave Wetmore

New Climbing Holds & Volumes of October 2022

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2022 Grip List Awards

Jonathan Littauer

New Climbing Holds & Volumes of September 2022

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Macaroni & Cheese to Steak Dinner: Behind the Wrench With Kegan Minock

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Selling Movement: Routesetting Is a Product (Truth Behind the Trade – Chapter 2)

Dave Wetmore

New Climbing Holds & Volumes of August 2022

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Professional Routesetting: The Truth Behind the Trade (Chapter 1)

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Find and Offer Specialized Expert Help With CBJ’s “Talent for Hire”

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New Climbing Holds & Volumes of July 2022

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Ask a Setter: Competition & League Setting vs. Regular Gym Turnover

Louie Anderson

3 Reasons to Get Excited About the Trango / eGrips Brand Merger

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of June 2022

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Why Circuit-Style Grading Is Good for Business

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All Ships Will Rise: Behind the Wrench With Nathan Hadley

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of May 2022: Grip Showcase Edition

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The RIC Scale, and How to Use It in Your Routesetting Work

Devin Dabney

Top Brands Converged for CBJ Grip Showcase at The Front South Main

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of April 2022

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How to Set Better Routes for Children

Jonathan Littauer

New Climbing Holds and Volumes of March 2022

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Ask a Setter: Tricks to Keep Easier Climbs Interesting

Louie Anderson

Storytelling Through Movement: Behind the Wrench with Holly Chen

John Burgman

New Climbing Holds and Volumes of February 2022

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ClimbTime: An App for Climbing Gyms, With a Community-Building Twist

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New Climbing Holds and Volumes of January 2022

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Spotlight on the 90s: X-treme

John Burgman

New Climbing Holds and Volumes of December 2021

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The Value of Routesetting Mentorship: Behind the Wrench with BKB’s Matt Ratajczak

John Burgman

Routesetting Today: 5 Trends From This Year’s Setter Showdown With 360

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What is the best way for a beginner to set routes?

Scott Rennak

New Climbing Holds and Volumes of November 2021

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Ask a Setter: Building Community Engagement Through Routesetting

Louie Anderson

New Climbing Holds and Volumes of October 2021

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Bouldering With a Pro Climber Owner in California – Gym of the Week

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Spotlight on the 90s: ROCK’n & JAM’n

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