Route setter

Also known as "setters", these professionals combine technical craft with an artistic representation of real rock climbing moves.

They do this with modular resin, polyurethane, polyester, fiberglass, or wood holds or "grips" that mimic real rock features.

Usually, the more complex routes the applicant can make, the higher the level of certification.

The simplest ways on how to set an indoor route are to decide by placement, rocks, and/or themes.

Setters tend to stay away from miscellaneous rocks placed randomly on a wall that are not one of the previously mentioned categories.

Placement is where there is a specific part of the artificial wall the setter wants to work on.

This wall could have ‘natural’ features or arêtes that the setter wants to be used when someone works on this route.

[1] To mount the boulder into the artificial wall the setter will simply have to screw it in with a screwdriver.

A ladder might be required if the setter cannot reach the next desired place to screw in the boulder.

Possible adjustments could be to rotate the boulder(s) so they are easier/harder to climb and help the continuity of the route.

Typically, the start and finish of the route is marked with two pieces of tape.

Route setting for top-roping/lead-climbing can follow the similar techniques listed above, except it is more common to add tape before boulder in this case.