What does a routesetting career look like?
It wasn’t all that long ago when routesetters were just climbers who got a free membership and burrito for bolting some plastic holds to the wall at their local gym once or twice a month. How much has changed in the last couple decades or so? What does it mean to be a Professional Routesetter, and how do you get there? How should today’s routesetters think about tomorrow’s career choices?
Next month, we’re talking with Chris Danielson to hear how things were “back in my day…” compared to the career progression that current or future generations of routesetters have come to expect.
TUESDAY, MAY 13
6:00PM MT
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:
JUNE 10 & JULY 8
@6PM MT
(Monthly on 2nd Tuesday)
Meet your hosts and guests:
| Chris Danielson has been a climber and routesetter for 30 years and owns Thread Climbing, a distribution company. He developed the USAC routesetting program and spent over a decade as an IFSC Chief Routesetter, being deeply involved in competition climbing through the 2010s. Chris has also been a consultant for numerous gyms and mentored many setters over the years. Outside of his gym industry career, he works as Olympian Brooke Raboutou’s coach. |  |
| 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 for volunteer Work At Height standards. |  |
