Do you follow a specific design process while routesetting?

Some setters are planners, others are emulators, but I prefer to think on my feet. Wall terrain, hold availability, and target grades dictate the setting process more than anything else – and these things change daily. I've learned that hatching any sort of setting plan the night prior rarely ever pans out with these constraints. Instead, I like working backwards. Let the terrain, an interesting hold, or your assigned grade spark an idea, then work from there.

Who's making the best holds on market right now?

Whoever is making the cruelest, most marginal, slippery footholds money can buy!

What is forerunning? How important is to a successful set?

Forerunning is your chance to give co-workers scathing criticism in a professional environment and get paid to do it. Was your climb too hard, too easy, too reachy, or too awkward? Happy to tell you. Was your climb fun and creative? Did it spark joy? Looking for constructive feedback? Look elsewhere. Passive aggression runs rampant, and we prefer it that way. All kidding aside, forerunning is our chance to refine ideas. Although we're called "setters" forerunning climbs is far and away the most important part of the day. Test something once, make tweaks as needed, climb again, repeat. No matter the grade, we scrutinize each and every climb to ensure that they are fun, accessible, and safe.

Could setters be described as translators between outdoor and indoor climbing?

Translators? No. We don't kid ourselves that indoor climbing and outdoor climbing are the same game. In an ideal world, our setting can help physically prepare a climber to venture outdoors, but we can't, nor should we, try to simulate the outdoor experience in the gym. Your local crag has that one VO that is crumbly, tall, hard, and scary. No one wants that experience translated to the gym.

Routesetting in five words... Go!

"No more set screws, guys" - Darrell