Photo: Sam Biè
EDITOR’S NOTE 2020: The Year of the Reset There’s that English expression, “hindsight is 20/20”. How fitting it is that as we enter the final months of 2020 we’re left with so much to look back on. Undoubtedly, we’ve all had a few of those, “had I known then what I know now” moments. 2020 will forever be remembered as the year that went off-script. The year that forced everyone and every industry to reevaluate and reset. Globally we’ve seen gyms, brands, industry experts and influencers that would often be regarded as competitors come together in an effort to strengthen and safeguard our industry. Time and time again this year we’ve been faced with unforeseen challenges and we’ve put our collective heads together to come up with sustainable solutions and policies that have allowed us to overcome obstacles and to work and climb again safely. This release marks our third issue of Route Setter Magazine. Thanks to your enthusiasm and support the project continues and we look forward to publishing further issues for many years to come. Had this year gone to plan you’d probably be reading about an Olympics route setting recap, how to manage the attendance boom at your gym, etc. Instead, in this issue we’ve turned more attention to crisis management, safety measures, and making climbing more accessible. As I reflect on this year, I’m proud of how we’ve carried ourselves and how we’ve united to tackle this unforeseen crux. We still have a ways to climb and to say that it hasn’t been easy would be an understatement. I’m encouraged by what we saw throughout the midsummer and fall months in the northern hemisphere when gyms, in most places, had a window where they were able to safely and successfully reopen. It reinforced the fact that if conditions allow, the desire to climb, train and visit the gym still exists in abundance. Thus, the possibility for renewed growth and profitability when we return to normality still remains. Whatever lies ahead, we look forward to climbing on with you. Sincerely, Matthias Polig & The Vertical-Life Team
Editorial
Publisher and Editors in Chief: Matthias Polig, Maria Hilber Associate Editor: Christian Popien Editorial Staff: Cody Roth, Melissa Rudick, Mariana West, Mareike Stobbe Layout: Egon Larcher Contact: press@vertical-life.info
Contributors
Niki Wiechmann Reini Fichtinger Nate McMullan Peter Zeidelhack Jackie Hueftle
Editing & Translations
Maria Hilber, Melissa Rudick, Cody Roth Katherina Polig (www.polig-translations.com), Emily Orlowsky, Charlotte Marston
Catalogue & Advertising Sales
Advertising Manager: Simon Nagler / Contact: sales@vertical-life.info
Cover
Photo: Sam Bié Location: Sharma Climbing Madrid
Publishing House
Vertical-Life s.r.l. Via Brennero 32, 39042 Bressanone, Italy www.vertical-life.info The Route Setter Magazine is published once a year (November) by VerticalLife s.r.l., available in print and in a digital edition worldwide. The magazine ist devoted to gym climbing and its connected businesses. Contact & orders: sales@vertical-life.info All rights reserved. Copyright 2020 Vertical-Life s.r.l.
Disclaimer: Vertical-Life s.r.l. makes no warranties, expressed or implied, of any kind regarding the contents of this magazine, and expressly disclaims any warranty regarding the accuracy or reliability of information contained herein. Vertical-Life s.r.l. further disclaims any responsibility for injuries or death incurred by any person engaging in the activities described in the magazine.
