How to Set Boulder Problems

Setting amazing boulder problems in a climbing gym or at your home gym requires a combination of creativity, technical knowledge, and an understanding of your target audience. Here are some steps to help you set outstanding boulder problems:

  1. Understand Your Climbers:

    • Know your audience, their skill levels, and climbing preferences. Are you setting for beginners, intermediate climbers, or advanced athletes? This will help you tailor the problems accordingly.
  2. Safety First:

  3. Select Your Area:

    • Choose a specific area in your gym or outdoor location for the problem you want to set. Consider factors like wall angle, terrain, and available holds.
  4. Gather Holds and Materials:

    • Gather a variety of holds, volumes, and any necessary materials like screws, wrenches, and tools to assemble your boulder problems.
  5. Plan the Route:

    • Before you start setting, have a clear idea of the route's style and difficulty. Decide on the starting and finishing holds and any intermediate holds or features you want to use.
  6. Be Creative:

    • Creativity is key to setting outstanding problems. Think about unique and interesting movement patterns, sequences, and holds. Try to avoid repetitive or uninspired routes.
  7. Vary the Holds:

    • Use a variety of holds such as jugs, crimps, slopers, pinches, pockets, and volumes to challenge different grip strengths and techniques.
  8. Focus on Flow:

    • Create a flow in the problem that feels natural and enjoyable. Avoid awkward movements and unnecessary contrivances.
  9. Test the Routes:

    • As you set the problem, climb it yourself to ensure it flows well and is safe. You can also have other experienced climbers test the route for feedback.
  10. Use Route-Setting Principles:

    • Study route-setting principles and techniques to understand how to create challenging and enjoyable boulder problems. Learn about concepts like the "pyramid" and "intended difficulty."
  11. Route Names and Grades:

    • Give each problem a creative and memorable name. Assign a difficulty grade to help climbers gauge the challenge.

Remember, setting boulder problems is both an art and a science. It takes time and practice to become a skilled route setter. Keep experimenting, learning, and seeking inspiration to continually improve your setting skills.


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