If you are new to climbing, you might be wondering what routesetting is. A routesetter is someone whose job it is to create the fun bouldering and rope climbing problems that are fun, interesting, and just challenging enough to keep you coming back, all while teaching you how to climb in the process. Routesetting is the act of putting climbing holds and volumes up on the climbing wall, in a way that provides an appropriate level of challenge for the grade, in an interesting way. A route should be a fun mental and physical problem, that you as a climber figure out how to solve, by getting to the top of the wall, or the end of the problem.

Climbing grades have always been a hot topic in the climbing world. It's one of the few sports that relies on a subjective grading system, leaving room for interpretation and debate. But what if we told you there's a way to make climbing grades more accessible, enjoyable, and beneficial for both beginners and experienced climbers? Welcome to the world of circuit-style grading, a system that's gaining popularity in climbing gyms, including Skyhook Bouldering. In this blog post, we'll explore what circuit-style grading is, why it's a game-changer, and how it can enhance your climbing experience. Curious what routesetting is and why it’s important? Click here to read our previous post explaining the basics of setting!