EDUCATION
“The mountains have rules. they are harsh rules, but they are there, and if you keep to them you are safe. A mountain is not like men. A mountain is sincere. The weapons to conquer it exist inside you, inside your soul.”
CERTIFICATIONS
EDUCATION IS EVERYTHING
One of the biggest gaps in the climbing industry right now is the lack of formal educational pathways for climbing gym professionals, particularly routesetters. To this end, Vortex is excited to be able to offer CWA Certifications both for Work at Height (WAH) and Professional Routesetting (PRS).
PROFESSIONAL ROUTESETTING CERTIFICATION
Professional Routesetting (PRS) is a voluntary certification program designed by the Climbing Wall Association to provide an education pathway for routesetters working for climbing gyms. The curriculum for all levels centers on technical skills, industry best practices, and mentorship. At higher levels, Work at Height Certifications are prerequisite.
WORK AT HEIGHT CERTIFICATION
Work at Height Certifications train and assess the ability of the candidate to access elevated work positions and perform work-at-height operations in climbing facilities according to accepted industry practices and the CWA Work at Height Standard. The program also trains and assesses the candidate’s ability to perform a prompt and effective rescue at-height.
CLINICS
GET OFF THE ISLAND
Looking for ways to invigorate your routesetting? Stagnation is a onee-way road to burnout, and most routesetters operate on creative islands, rarely interacting with industry professionals outside their own teams. Working with new people and exposing yourself to new ideas is one of the best ways to jumpstart your own creative process.
SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM
After 25 cumulative years, we still love routesetting. We love learning and we love teaching and above all, we love sharing the things we love with other people. We all got into this because we love climbing. Let’s set some bangers, and all learn something new in the process!
Also, we’ve been doing this for a minute, and we might have some tricks to share that will brighten your day and make your work easier and more enjoyable.
ONLINE CONTENT
“SETTERS ONLY!” DISCUSSIONS
Have you ever had a burning question about routesetting and wished you could phone up leading experts to ask them what they thought?
We have…so we did!
We’ve been lucky enough to work with Climbing Business Journal to present “Setters Only,” an online discussion forum featuring some of the climbing industry’s thought leaders. We’ve talked about everything from progressing as an aging setter to grades, and we’re only getting started. Check in regularly to see what’s new!
WHAT IF I’M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MORE…FORMAL?
We have webinars, also hosted by CBJ! These are more prescriptive and less of a conversation, focusing on gym operational decisions as they relate to routesetting.