Women+ Routesetting Workshop - Aldgate

For International Women’s Day, we're running a Women+ Routesetting Taster at Aldgate; a chance to experience Routesetting under the guidance of a female instructor. Routesetting is an amazing creative process and we want to encourage underrepresented genders to try it in a safe and supportive environment!

On the day you'll learn the basics of how to put holds and volumes on the wall, and how to create your own routes. With guidance from our Head Setter and resident expert Imi you'll be shown how to use all the necessary tools, how to choose holds, and what to consider when crafting a boulder problem. Once the boulder is in its first “draft” everyone will climb and test the problem, and discuss any changes to make it the best version it can be. Your climbs will stay up for the next week, so you'll be able to see other people try out your boulders!

This course will be £150 per person, which includes everything you'll need for the day and entry to the facilities for the rest of the day (if you want to stay and watch your friends try your boulders!)

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How the day will run:

• 9AM - 5PM run time, with time for a coffee break and lunch break (food not provided).
• A briefing from instructors, about safety considerations and the basics of routesetting.
• Guidance and a short workshop to learn how the drills, ladders and screws and bolts are used, and how to safely attach holds to the wall.
• Creation time! You’ll be able to choose your holds and wall section, and put up the boulder of your dreams. Each participant will be able to set 1-3 boulders, depending on time.
• Testing of the boulders, climbing everything and making sure they work how we want them to.
• Tidying up and readying the area for the public to try out the brand new problems.

Who is this for?

• Open to women and non-binary participants, over the age of 18.
• You do not need any routesetting experience for this course. All tools will be provided.
• We recommend having at least 6 months climbing experience and a climbing level of V2, so that you can get the most out of the day. If you'd like to join the session but don't quite fit this drop us a message and we'll assess whether this would be suitable for you!

Things to bear in mind:

• You will be ascending and descending ladders and setting problems from ladder, so you must be comfortable with this.
• It will be a fairly physical day with lots of lifting holds and climbing boulders.
• Please wear appropriate clothes for physical activity, and for footwear either trainers or approach shoes.
• This course does not provide any qualifications, and does not have a pathway to become a routesetter.
• If you have any questions about accessibility for this session please get in touch with us prior to booking.

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A little bit about our Head Setter Imi, who will be leading the session:

As a lifelong climber, my journey began at just seven years old! Since then I've been in a number of competitions, tackled challenging rock projects, and ultimately turned my love for climbing into a career. I began routesetting in 2020 at LCC, and have become a part of the Font and City Bouldering setting teams, while also freelancing at various climbing gyms across the UK. I recently joined the City Bouldering team as the Head Setter in 2025, and I'm eager to connect with the CB community and continue pushing the boundaries of routesetting!