Meet Our Route Setters - The Artists Behind the Wall
- Leanne Waldorf
- Nov 5
- 4 min read
Ever wondered who's responsible for that route you can't stop thinking about? Or the one that's been absolutely destroying you for two weeks straight?
Meet the route setters at Strait Up Climbing. The creative minds (and tired arms) behind every single climb on our walls.
The Setting Team
Jesse and Leanne are the heart of Strait Up Climbing, not just as owners, but as passionate setters who live and breathe climbing. They've been setting for years and bring a deep understanding of movement, progression, and what makes a route feel truly satisfying to climb. If you have ever found yourself stuck in a corner with a big drop knee and no hands, chances are it was set by one of them. (Probably Jesse because Leanne wouldn't do that to you... probably.)
Alex rounds out the local crew with a knack for powerful, dynamic problems that'll test your limits. If you've ever wondered who set that comp-style coordination move that feels impossible until it suddenly clicks - yep that's Alex. Are you arms so pumped at the end of your climb you can't even untie your own rope? Also Alex.
We love bringing in guest setters from out of town, they shake things up and keep our walls fresh and exciting. Especially when Andreas from Solution Climbing delivers some of his new climbing volumes.
An other one of our favourite and most popular guests is Alison. Alison brings a wealth of knowledge not only as a setter but as a World Cup athlete. Her setting style is all about strong hands and high feet. Her routes are packed with technical sequences that test your footwork and push you to get creative with body positioning. Can you see the bottom of your foot? No? You’re probably doing it wrong.
What Route Setting Actually Looks Like
Our setters strip down sections of the wall, scrub holds clean, and rebuild entirely new climbs from scratch. It's physical, creative work—equal parts art and engineering.
Setting a single route can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on complexity. The team selects holds from our massive inventory (we're talking hundreds of shapes, sizes, and textures), maps out a sequence, bolts
everything to the wall, and then tests it obsessively.
"We try to make every climb tell a story," says Jesse. "You should feel a rhythm, tension, flow, and that satisfying moment when everything clicks and you solve it."
They're not just randomly slapping holds on the wall. Every route is intentional.
They think about:
Grade difficulty so climbers know what to expect
Hold variety to keep things interesting (crimps, slopers, jugs, pinches)
Body positions to teach technique (balance, flagging, drop-knees, heel hooks)
Flow and movement style (slabby balance, powerful dynos, technical sequences)
Some routes focus on endurance with lots of moves. Other routes are about short, powerful problems. The goal is always progression, routes that feel just barely possible, then incredibly satisfying once you send them.
Testing, Tweaking, and Feedback
Once a route is up, the real work begins. Setters test it themselves, watch other climbers try it, and make adjustments. Maybe a foothold is too far. Maybe a move feels awkward or eliminates too many beta options. They'll pull holds off, swap them out, and retest until it feels right.
And they love feedback. Seriously. If you have thoughts on a route whether it's your new favourite or something feels off tell them. They're constantly improving based on what climbers experience.
"The best part of setting is watching someone project a route for days, then finally stick the crux and top out," says Leanne. "That moment when they surprise themselves? That's why we do this."
What Makes a Great Route?
A great route isn't just hard or easy it's engaging. It makes you think. It teaches you something new. It rewards creativity and problem solving.
Good setters create climbs where multiple beta options work, so you can find your own way up. Great setters build routes that feel like a conversation between you and the wall where each move flows into the next, and when you finish, you immediately want to try it again.
That’s what our team aims for every time they set.
Appreciate the Work
Next time you're projecting a route that feels just barely out of reach, remember: it was built for exactly that feeling. The precise difficulty, the body positions, the holds - it's all intentional.
Setting is hard, creative, physical work. But seeing you send that project, or surprise yourself with a move you didn't think you could do? That's the payoff.
So next time you see our setters on the floor, say hi. Share what you loved about a route. Ask questions. They're climbers too, and they genuinely want to hear from you.
Got a favorite climb or feedback on a recent set? Tell us next time you’re in the gym. We love hearing what’s working (and what’s not).
Comments