Mission Statement

Vortex began as a passion project, born of curiosity.

We wanted to know more about what routesetters in different parts of the country were doing. We travelled. We asked questions. We started writing down the answers. We built a survey so that we could grow, expanding beyond the face-to-face-behind-the-wall-over-a-beer conversations the project sprang from. We moved beyond numbers into existential conversations about the meaning of our craft in front of a camera with some of the biggest thinkers in our industry.

It’s still a passion project. We’re still curious. 

We’re curious about the future of the climbing industry as it grows. We’re passionate about professionalization. We believe that standardizing best practices doesn’t mean sterilizing our sport. Climbing has a soul, and we refuse to relinquish that.

Our Mission at Vortex is to provide routesetters and climbing gyms with the educational resources they need to stay abreast of best industry practices while centering our roots as rock climbers.

We want to professionalize indoor routesetting while celebrating climbing culture. Por que no los dos, are we right?

Set plastic. Climb Rocks.