✨SETTER SPOTLIGHT✨ Tsukasa Mizuguchi (she/her) is the first setter in Japan that we’re featuring on our page! She has been setting since high school and currently sets at Rhino & Bird in Tokyo. She also routesets for national and international competitions at gyms all over Japan. We love it! How/when did you get into setting? About 10 years ago, when I was in high school, I was taught to routeset at a small local climbing gym that I was attending at the time. I remember very well that my friends happily climbed the course I set my route for the first time that day. When I got home that day, I asked my father to buy me an electric drill. What are your favorite holds and/or types of problems to set? My favorite hold is "Mammoth Rub Vortex" by TRANGO! The texture inside the pocket is so cool! TRANGO also has many other products with an interesting sense of holding, such as the bubble wrap series and Myorcan series. I like to set problems that have a beautiful appearance that make climbers want to climb it. I like delicate sets that require complex movements and fine technique. What advice or guidance do you have for other marginalized/underrepresented folks who want to learn how to set? To be honest, I often feel that routesetting is a male society. However, I believe that there are some things that only women can do, such as the delicate part of the routesetting. If you're interested in routesetting, be brave and give it a try. And I think my climbing experience is useful for routesetting, so I think it's better to climb outside a lot, and sometimes it's important to try different styles of climbing. #boltandrevolt #unboltthepatriarchy #routesettersofinstagram #routesetting #routesetter #routesettinglife #iloveroutesetting #routesettersanonymous #practicesafesets #forerunning #climbing #bouldering

In the U.S. it is Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian Heritage Month! We’d love to celebrate the intersectional identities of setters within our community that identify as such (globally- you don’t have to be American). Our plan is to put together a photo collage of setters. We believe that visibility and representation is of the utmost importance when it comes to changing the status quo of the setting industry (and the world). Please DM us if you are an Asian, Pacific Islander, and/or Native Hawaiian setter that we can highlight in a collage, or if you know of a setter that identifies as such, send this to them or tag them below! #boltandrevolt #unboltthepatriarchy #routesettersofinstagram #routesetting #routesetter #routesettinglife #iloveroutesetting #routesettersanonymous #practicesafesets #forerunning #climbing #bouldering

✨SETTER SPOTLIGHT✨ Our hearts gushed when we read that Lestine Pasion (she/her) grew up around setters because her dad is one. How sweet and wholesome is that!? We love that setting is multi-generational for her. Show all the love to Aspire Whitby setter: Lestine! How/when did you get into setting? As a child, I spent a lot of time around setters because my dad is one. I became more intrigued by setting after spending a lot of time as a competitive climber. When I was 16, I started setting routes and boulders at a PanAm center, and then gradually progressed to setting more complex and challenging climbs at my local gym when I turned 19. Currently, at 21 years old, I am setting at Aspire Whitby and have also been invited to guest set at a few local competitions. What are your favorite holds and/or types of problems to set? My favourite hold would have to be big slippers and crimps. I love setting competition style movements. I usually lean towards setting flashy movements like big dynos, funky knee bars, and bat hangs. What advice or guidance do you have for other marginalized/underrepresented folks who want to learn how to set? For marginalized and underrepresented climbers who want to learn to set, my advice to would be to seek out mentors and role models who can offer guidance and support, to take advantage of training and education opportunities. It's also important to believe in yourself and your abilities.Remember that you belong in the climbing community, and your unique perspective and experiences can be an asset in setting and climbing.

✨SETTER SPOTLIGHT✨ Sara Meehan-Marinich (she/her) is reppin’ Portland, Maine, where she sets at Evo Rock and Fitness! Let’s learn more about Sara’s setting journey 💜 How/when did you get into setting? I was invited to join in setting boulders by our head setter in 2021. Then, after a few months of boulders I began setting ropes as well. I now set twice a week and I’m loving it. What are your favorite holds and/or types of problems to set? There are so many good holds but kilter’s Teagan Kaiju Stalactites always seem to find their way onto my routes when they’re available. They’re so much fun to wrestle with. I love setting in dihedrals. I love seeing how many different ways climbers can make it through a sequence. Especially when it is easily overcome by mobility yet hard to muscle through. It is also such a great place to get climbers smearing and trusting our slippery concrete walls. What advice or guidance do you have for other marginalized/underrepresented folks who want to learn how to set? Climb at as many gyms and crags as you can. Having a diverse climbing experience lets you set a wider range of climbs. For me, the hardest thing was learning comp style climbing, and took really seeking out those problems at every gym I visit. What climbing-related accounts do you love that you recommend people follow? I love Mischa Ostberg's rope art. It is a beautiful way to use old ropes and their art is just beautiful. Their insta is @east_mountains_designs Gym and photo credit instagram handles you would like included: Evo Rock & Fitness: @evorock_portland, Pullphoto: @pullphoto #boltandrevolt #unboltthepatriarchy #routesettersofinstagram #routesetting #routesetter #routesettinglife #iloveroutesetting #routesettersanonymous #practicesafesets #forerunning #climbing #bouldering

When Anna Beam isn’t setting jugs, she’s making mugs! Check out Anna’s #SetterSideHustle, where she makes ceramics and small batch sewn items and prints : @anna__beam #supportyourfellowroutesetter

✨SETTER SPOTLIGHT✨ Let’s show all the love to Annie Hanichak (she/her), who currently sets at the Movement gym in the Baker neighborhood of Denver, Colorado! She used to set at Ascend Climbing gym in Pittsburgh, PA and has done some freelance work at home gyms and commercial gyms across Colorado. How/when did you get into setting? I got into setting relatively shortly after I started climbing. I've been climbing 4-5 ish years and started setting just about 2 years ago. I started climbing at my local gym and became involved in their community, meeting more and more staff and community members. I got into contact with one of their setters and it just happened to turn out they were starting an apprenticeship program for new setters! I spent about 6 months in an apprenticeship before I was able to become a part-time setter at that gym. What are your favorite holds and/or types of problems to set? Tekniks fatty long fat pinches or their cricket series. I love to set complex but powerful climbs, often with at least some crimps. Anything that you aren't able to muscle through as much as you have to think about body positioning in tandem with powerful movement. What advice or guidance do you have for other marginalized/underrepresented folks who want to learn how to set? I am a woman of color and I don't get the chance to see very many people who look like me in the setting industry, and less at the higher levels of setting. It's not just a sport for white cis men, it's a sport for all and you represent a group and population that is part of the climbing community and you have a voice in the industry. Don't be afraid to ask and talk to people, setters, other climbers, anyone, as knowing the community as well as making connections helps with setting! Is there anything else you’d like us to know? I am a queer adopted Asian American and would love to connect with others interested in setting who might also have aligning identities or find comfort/alignment with any of my identities! (Cont’d in comments)

✨SETTER SPOTLIGHT✨ Chelsea Sommer (she/they) currently sets at Memphis Rox but is about to move to work for Edgeworks Tacoma! They have a tendency to bounce around & have worked for a number of different gyms. Let’s hear it for Chelsea! How/when did you get into setting? I started dabbling at a wall built in the back of a gear shop during college. It was a climbing community hub in TerribleHaute, IN. If you know you know. Did a little bit in Indy before moving to Austin where I got a more formal training & decided that was something I'd like to pursue more seriously. Do you have any favorite holds? No. What types of routes/problems do you like to set? All kinds. My style leans towards playful, dynamic, flowy, technical, sufferfests. What advice or guidance do you have for other marginalized/underrepresented folks who want to learn how to set? It can be quite lonely. Take rest between heartbreaks & find/build your support network. There are so many aspects of this jobs that are/can be hard on you. Having people to rely on or vent to is super important in keeping moral up & making moves. There are times when people refuse to listen to you & it's such a powerless feeling not being heard over & over again. Having a community who maybe isn't on your regular crew can be such a life saver. What climbing-related accounts do you love that you recommend people follow? I try not to follow too much climbing content 🫣 routesetting > climbing #boltandrevolt #unboltthepatriarchy #routesettersofinstagram #routesetting #routesetter #routesettinglife #iloveroutesetting #routesettersanonymous #practicesafesets #forerunning #climbing #bouldering

✨SETTER SPOTLIGHT✨ Our Saturday Spotlight is Stone Summit Setter: Ashton! Let’s show some love to Ashton (she/her)! How/when did you get into setting? Basically since I started climbing, I thought it would be fun to set, but didn't start setting until August 2021 when my gym had a setting internship for front desk employees. I got hired full time in January 2022 and have been vibing since. What are your favorite holds and/or types of problems to set? The Teknik fat lip series has 99% of my heart, and Trango's loafzilla has the other 1%. I really enjoy setting routes and boulders that require a lot of tension and trusting your feet. I also love the feeling of having to shift around and make slow movements to find balance. It feels like I earned it when I can find my way through a route with delicate movement and without relying solely on strength, and I think I play with that a lot in my setting. What advice or guidance do you have for other marginalized/underrepresented folks who want to learn how to set? Being a well-rounded setter is a lot different than being a well-rounded climber. The road to being a well-rounded setter means a lot of messing up. It's great to have ideas of what you want to accomplish when you start setting, but those ideas won't always work starting out. It can be frustrating at first, but do not give up. It gets easier the more you do it. It's okay to not get it right the first time (or even second or third), as long as you learn from each try and apply it to the next. If your idea isn't working out, you have to be prepared to let your ideas go and take it as a learning experience. Be tenacious and pro-yourself, but also humble. Allow yourself to learn and give yourself the freedom to experiment and be wrong. Is there anything else you’d like us to know? Be annoying! It's (usually) okay to keep after the things you want. Keep a bug in people's ears. Remind them that you're there and you're eager. If there's not an opportunity now, it doesn't mean there will never be one. Gym and photo credit instagram handles you would like included: photos by @billiamsy, @karina_may__, and @jaytray94

✨SETTER SPOTLIGHT✨ Our Friday Feature is RUTH JANG a.k.a. @rootxgang. Ruth (she/her) is the Headsetter for two of the Stone Summit gyms in Georgia, USA. BADASS. Follow her for some dope content, including climbing/setting memes, and drop some love for Ruth in the comments 😎 How/when did you get into setting? In November 2021. Much to my family’s disappointment, instead of pursuing medical school (the whole reason I had come to the USA in the first place), I decided to routeset. As someone who was on a student visa until 2021, I was never able to try it until then. However, it was one of those things that I always just knew…knew that it would suit me, and that I would love it. What are your favorite holds and/or types of problems to set? I have a favorite hold, singular. The no-tex damage control foot 😈 Part of what draws me to setting is the diversity it offers. Thus, I like to change things up as much as I can. However, my latest obsession is setting feet cross-throughs on a shadow walk. What advice or guidance do you have for other marginalized/underrepresented folks who want to learn how to set? As an immigrant and a third culture individual, it was incredibly difficult to find a life in the United States, and also incredibly difficult to decide to routeset as a career. Deciding to set not only meant choosing a less certain path for myself, but also less ability to support my family. To those who have struggled as I have in some form or fashion…I hear you, and I feel you. I don’t have a lot of advice to offer. Just keep doing you. If you’re searching for inspiration, first and foremost, look within. (Cont’d in comments)