Every routesetter has heard it: “Wow, you must get super strong climbing all the time for your job!” The reality, however, is that many routesetters working full-time struggle to push their own personal climbing limits, and some may even see a decrease in their capacity. Overuse injuries and cumulative fatigue present significant challenges to anyone pursuing a career as a routesetter. Over time, these consequences can leave us feeling like we’ve sold our passion and can lead to burnout and attrition.
Join us as we talk with Jess West and Rocco Bocchicchio about common hurdles preventing career routesetters from pursuing their own climbing goals, as well as ways for both individual routesetters and the industry at large to move past those hurdles.
FREE ONLINE DISCUSSION
OCTOBER 8TH @6PM MT
EMAIL US FOR LINK TO THE FREE RECORDING
Setters Only! is a series of free online discussions led by Foxman McCarthy-James and Justin Wright from Vortex Routesetting, with relevant guests from across the industry. The panel-discussion-style sessions include time for interactive Q&As with attendees.
Upcoming Dates:
NOVEMBER 12 & DECEMBER 10
@6PM MT
(Monthly on 2nd Tuesday)
Meet your hosts and guests:
| Jess West is a life-long athlete who coaches for The Power Company. She earned her Master’s in Sport and Exercise Science in 2016, is a NASM CPT, and continues to study how best to apply her extensive knowledge to climbing. Living in the south is favorable to her climbing style, with endless sandstone lowballs and roofs to explore. |  |
| Rocco Bocchicchio is the owner and head coach of Caldera Climbing Performance. He began climbing in 1998, and he has been a setter and coach for 25 years. During that time, he has accumulated a vast catalog of knowledge pertaining to training and sports science, with a focus on aging bouldering athletes and sustainability in the routesetting profession. He continues to chase opportunities to learn and grow as a coach, setter and climber. |  |
| Foxman McCarthy-James is an owner and consultant with Vortex Routesetting. She has brought her background in education into her routesetting career, serving on the CWA Routesetting and Work at Height Committees and teaching routesetting clinics around the country. She is passionate about continuing the conversation on how we can make our industry more welcoming and inclusive. |  |
| Justin Wright is an owner and consultant with Vortex Routesetting. He holds a USAC L4 and has developed routesetting teams across the country. Serving on the CWA’s Routesetting and Work At Height Committees, Justin is committed to helping move the climbing industry forward by developing routesetter education pathways and recommending best practices with volunteer Work at Height standards. |  |
Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Have an article idea? CBJ loves to hear from readers like you!
