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Our Routesetting

Grapevine

Our Routesetting

Grapevine

routes set for you

Our routes are set for all ability levels, proportions, and style preferences. Whether one is looking to have fun with friends, climbing for exercise, training for outdoor climbing, or preparing for competition—we’ve got routes that are just right for you.

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KAYA connects the people behind each climb. Discover new sets, get personalized climb recommendations, and log all your climbs – indoors and out – all in KAYA. Download now to build the stoke together.

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Meet the crew

Routesetters are a unique mix of an industrial athlete, craftsman, artisan, choreographer, and product designer. They are well-versed in a variety of climbing and movement styles. They constantly evolve the craft as the needs of our community change and welcome your feedback.

austin
sivoravong

brandon
mai

willard
russell

nicole
baviera

jack
voltz

tucker
black

austin sivoravong

Head Setter @ Grapevine + Fort Worth

Austin is passionate about all things climbing and strives to be a responsible steward for the sport. Austin loves to set routes that make you want to come back for the send. He always strives to create a climbing environment that balances challenge and comfort.

Austin discovered climbing as a student at the University of North Texas where he studied microbiology. While studying, Austin worked part time in a virology lab and part time at the UNT climbing wall as a routesetter. After graduating he became a full time routesetter, and in his free time he loves to travel and climb outside.

Austin loves to engage with the community and hear about other people’s journey in climbing. If you see him at the gym feel free to say hi or ask about the sets!

brandon mai

Brandon found climbing in 2019 and soon after discovered his passion for setting. Going to the gym every week and seeing what the routesetters did to provide quality climbing for people to enjoy made him want to be a part of that.

Brandon likes to describe his routesetting as going with the flow. He enjoys discovering the movement behind his routes while he refines them. When he is not climbing you can find Brandon binge watching tv shows at home or hanging out with friends.

willard russell

Willard was born and raised in the DFW area, but didn’t discover climbing until he was 19. Instantly falling in love with the sport, he switched his major to kinesiology so he could study something he could relate to climbing. As he finished his degree, he lucked his way into an apprenticeship position at our Denton location where he fell in love with route setting. Since then, he has tested his limits daily to improve his setting ability, and so he can provide for as many different climbing styles as possible. He looks forward to every setting day so he can give back to the community that brought him into the sport.
Outside of climbing you can expect to see Willard doing anything from playing video games to mountain biking. Don’t be afraid to say hello!

nicole baviera

Nicole found climbing in her early teens and quickly became attached to the sport and its community. She started working at the climbing gym as soon as she was old enough to do so, and over the years has held various positions in the climbing industry. When she got the opportunity to become a full time routesetter, she thought it would be a fun opportunity but never expected to end up committing to pursuing it as a career.

Today, Nicole loves creating boulders/routes that challenge a climber’s technique. She continues to be passionate about setting and hopes to become a highly proficient competition routesetter someday.

In her free time, Nicole participates in climbing competitions and goes on outdoor climbing trips. She also loves to travel, watch movies, and read books.

jack voltz

Jack’s introduction to climbing consisted of weekend trips to the Wichitas with her family in 2003. Since then, Jack has seized every opportunity to go climbing, skiing, and camping. Having grown up outside the competition scene, Jack has more of an affinity for an easygoing day of multipitch, but is loving the process of exploring modern bouldering.  As a former desk associate, Jack enjoys interacting with the community and discussing feedback. Her goal as a routesetter is to bring growth, joy, and a sense of community to members.
For every moment spent at the gym, Jack can be found spending the other lounging, doing a puzzle, and watching TV with her cats. Feel free to say hi, pass on a good movie recommendation, or ask why she thought that counts as a jug.

tucker black

Director of Setting – DFW

Tucker has a strong passion for climbing and loves to see the joy it brings people. He aims to share his passion by creating experiences, challenges, and a variety of movement through his setting. Taking inspiration from his own climbing background, Tucker is sure to serve you up some high-quality climbs. 

After finding climbing in DFW in 2007, Tucker was a part of the youth climbing scene for several years until he started working at the climbing gym and quickly found out that he wanted to pursue routesetting professionally.  

When Tucker isn’t climbing at the gym or setting you may find him climbing, climbing, or climbing. 

FAQs

  • Who is on my Setting Team?

    Each of our regions has a designated setting team. Above you can see pictures of our setters. If you see any of them around the gyms please say “hi” and introduce yourself.

  • How do I know what is being set next?

    We post our route setting schedule every two weeks. The goal with the setting schedule is to communicate where our team will be setting so you know which zones will be closed and where to look for your new climbs.

  • What days can I expect the setting team to be working?

    Typically, our team sets weekdays between 8am-4:30pm.

  • How long does it take to set a climb?

    Each setter will build between 3-6 boulders or 1-2 routes in 4 hours then group into smaller forerunning teams for about 2-3 hours and calibrate the climbs to ensure all challenges are grade-appropriate and adjust for quality & accessibility for a spectrum of climber types.

     

  • How does the setting team grade climbs?

    The day will begin with our Head Setter mapping out the intended grades for each of the climbs for the day. Once the first draft is complete which we call a ‘Skeleton’ we will have the primary setter forerun the climb and adjust any movements and swap out holds to get us closer to the intended grade. Our primary goal is to ensure the climbing movement meets our quality criteria then ensure we are hitting our mark with the grade. We will have at least one other setter forerun and make adjustments to the climb. The setting team will have a conversation about the grade and place our consensus in KAYA.

  • Why does this set of new climbs feel easier/harder compared to the last set?

    It could feel easier because the holds are clean with fresh texture. It could feel harder because you have not gained the muscle memory just yet. Each climb is unique and could be presenting a unique challenge that might fit your skillset or be out of your routine climbing movement. Either way, we appreciate your input and hope that you share on KAYA so our setting team can better understand what you desire so we can make every climb a uniquely positive experience.

  • Where do I report a spinning hold?

    If you find a hold that moves or seems loose, let the front desk know and they will get the info to the setting team to fix it.

  • How do I get into routesetting?

    We have a company opportunity page where we post all new employment opportunities. As a department we are looking for passionate climbers who are curious about exploring movement and designing appropriate challenges for our gym users. Keep an eye out for a community event called ‘Setting with the Setters’ where our setting team provides a guided experience of what our team does to create new climbs.

  • What is the minimum climbing ability for a routesetter?

    We have found that climbing at least V4 or 5.11+ is essential to meet the demands of forerunning each work day and basic understanding of movement. If you are not there yet and have interest please share your interest to your local head setter. They might be able to guide you to become a contender for our apprenticeship program.

  • Does our gym have an apprenticeship program?

    We have training for newly hired seasoned setters but our apprentice program is designed to take a new setter who has limited or no experience and mentor them through a 6 month program. We encourage motivated individuals to apply because we have a system to train you to become a great setter.