At Highball, we’re passionate about helping climbers take their skills to the next level—not just on the wall, but within the climbing industry itself. Whether it’s offering coaching, mentorship, or opportunities to work behind the scenes, we’re here to support your journey every step of the way. Meet Ellie: after years of honing her climbing at Highball, she recently joined our setting team for the day, diving into her first experience of routesetting and turning her passion into a profession. Over to you Ellie…
Can you tell us a bit about your climbing background? How long have you been climbing for and how did you get into the sport?
I’ve been climbing just under three years, I don’t really know how I got into it really, my cousins and I heard about it years before and it was just a conversation ‘oh let’s give it a go’ and we’ve been hooked on it ever since.
What inspired you to pursue routesetting?
For me routes are like art and they can flow really well. After you’ve been climbing a while you start to route read and can visualise how it would be and feel before trying it. When you get one which your body moves well on but is challenging, you get a sense of satisfaction when you get to the top, whether it be in one go or after a few attempts.
How did you find setting your first problem?
It was good, I’ve grown up with drills and being hands on so I found it pretty fun.
What did you learn from setting and testing your own problems?
When you’re on the ground and have the holds ready to go up, you have a plan in your head but physically getting them up on the wall can be challenging, especially if you get down and look back realising the move isn’t going to work, so can take a few attempts to move things around.
What was something you did not know about routesetting which took you by surprise?
How heavy some of the holds are! trying to go up a ladder and place it on the wall with one hand and drilling it with the other isn’t easy.
How did you feel seeing climbers on your problems for the first time?
It was really nice to see, especially people who are new to climbing giving them a go!
What was the most rewarding part of the routesetting experience for you?
Being able to have an input with highball, it’s basically my second home and working with the guys there!
What was the hardest part of your day routesetting?
I’d probably have to say going up the ladders, even though I love climbing, I’m scared of heights. After a while going up and down it did get a little easier.
If you could tell someone wanting to get into routesetting one thing, what would that be?
You have to show your passionate about it and really want it, things won’t happen for you if you take a back seat.
What are your goals and aspirations in routesetting moving forward?
I would love to have the opportunity to do it more in the future, now I know how things are done I can be faster and concentrate on getting up some challenging but flows moves on the wall!
