Meet The Instructors
Cody Grodzki - Practicing the craft of routesetting for nearly 20 years, Cody has dedicated his life to professionalizing, educating, and pushing routesetting concepts throughout the climbing industry. As the owner of both Boulder Union Climbing and Syndicate Routesetting, as well as holding a USAC Level 5 National Chief Routesetter certification, and a USAC National Chief Instructor, Cody has worked on projects ranging from local educational workshops and corporate climbing gym consultation to international athlete training and routesetting for the IFSC World Championships.
Foxman McCarthy-James - Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, Foxman McCarthy-James began routesetting in 2015 in Boston while still working as a professional violist and music teacher. Not long after, she pivoted to set full-time at Brooklyn Boulders. Traveling regularly for guest setting and competitions, Foxman began teaching Women's Intro to Routesetting clinics. Now as a CWA instructor and routesetting committee member Foxman is focused on developing new strategies to promote longevity and sustainability for career routesetters.
Foxman is also a founder of Vortex Routesetting after years of travel and conversations led to an industry data project documenting routesetting workloads and salaries across the country. Vortex provides consulting for both climbing gyms and individual routesetters.
Foxman McCarthy-James - Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, Foxman McCarthy-James began routesetting in 2015 in Boston while still working as a professional violist and music teacher. Not long after, she pivoted to set full-time at Brooklyn Boulders. Traveling regularly for guest setting and competitions, Foxman began teaching Women's Intro to Routesetting clinics. Now as a CWA instructor and routesetting committee member Foxman is focused on developing new strategies to promote longevity and sustainability for career routesetters.
Foxman is also a founder of Vortex Routesetting after years of travel and conversations led to an industry data project documenting routesetting workloads and salaries across the country. Vortex provides consulting for both climbing gyms and individual routesetters.
Nohl Haeckel - Nohl Haeckel is a USAC and IFSC certified para routesetting trainer with 17 years of experience in the climbing industry. He specializes in designing adaptive climbing routes and teaching others how to do the same.
His work focuses on creating technically sound, inclusive routes for para athletes, while also offering instruction and consultation for gyms, organizations, and route setters who want to build more accessible climbing environments. Whether he’s setting for competitions or leading training programs, he brings a movement-first, athlete-centered approach to every wall.
Nohl Haeckel - Nohl Haeckel is a USAC and IFSC certified para routesetting trainer with 17 years of experience in the climbing industry. He specializes in designing adaptive climbing routes and teaching others how to do the same.
His work focuses on creating technically sound, inclusive routes for para athletes, while also offering instruction and consultation for gyms, organizations, and route setters who want to build more accessible climbing environments. Whether he’s setting for competitions or leading training programs, he brings a movement-first, athlete-centered approach to every wall.
Jeremy Ho - Jeremy Ho began commercial routesetting in 2008 and has since built a distinguished career in the field. He has served as a Director of Routesetting, a freelance routesetting mercenary, and a high-level instructor. Since 2012, Jeremy has been actively involved with USA Climbing, where he currently holds multiple roles: National Routesetting Program Manager, National Head Routesetter, and National Head Instructor. He has set for over 25 national and international events, and offers a wealth of experience and knowledge to the routesetting community.
Mike Bockino - Mike (on left in photograph) has been involved in competition routesetting since 2003, and with USA Climbing routesetting since 2009. As a USA National Head Routesetter, IFSC Routesetter he has set for 22 National Championships, 5 IFSC World Cups and a Youth World Championship. With a strong background in youth routesetting-half of the nationals have been in Youth Bouldering and Sport Climbing-and time spent coaching youth athletes, he brings a unique perspective of the level of difficulty and style to a training camp. This year he is setting a Lead and TR Divisional and also will be chief routesetter for Youth National Championships for Lead and TR.
Jonathan Brandt - Jonathan Brandt has been climbing and routesetting for 20 years. He is the owner of Shift Climbing and a USAC Level 5 routesetter. While he enjoys setting for high-level competitions, his real passion lies in creating impactful experiences in the commercial realm. He enjoys the creative freedoms and human connections that work in gyms allow. Jonathan currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah where he enjoys gardening, reading fantasy, weaving tree nets, and seeing live music.
Eddie Morillas - Eddie Morillas is the Director of Route Setting for The Front's three climbing gyms located in Salt Lake City, Utah and a USAC Level 4 National Route Setter. Eddie has been setting professionally for over a decade and is widely recognized as a talented and respected member of the route setting community.
Eddie's love for climbing began in a climbing gym and quickly developed into a passion for route setting. After working his way up through the ranks as a part-time setter at various gyms, Eddie joined The Front in 2015 as a full-time setter and became the Director of Route Setting in 2019. Over the years, he has contributed to the development and growth of The Front's route setting program and has become passionate about sharing his knowledge to help elevate the professionalism of the craft.
Eddie's approach to route setting is rooted in his deep love and respect for the sport. He believes that a great route should challenge climbers both physically and mentally, while also providing a sense of joy and accomplishment. He is honored to be a part of the Setter Summit and to contribute to the growth and development of the route setting community.
Eddie Morillas - Eddie Morillas is the Director of Route Setting for The Front's three climbing gyms located in Salt Lake City, Utah and a USAC Level 4 National Route Setter. Eddie has been setting professionally for over a decade and is widely recognized as a talented and respected member of the route setting community.
Eddie's love for climbing began in a climbing gym and quickly developed into a passion for route setting. After working his way up through the ranks as a part-time setter at various gyms, Eddie joined The Front in 2015 as a full-time setter and became the Director of Route Setting in 2019. Over the years, he has contributed to the development and growth of The Front's route setting program and has become passionate about sharing his knowledge to help elevate the professionalism of the craft.
Eddie's approach to route setting is rooted in his deep love and respect for the sport. He believes that a great route should challenge climbers both physically and mentally, while also providing a sense of joy and accomplishment. He is honored to be a part of the Setter Summit and to contribute to the growth and development of the route setting community.
Merto Ascuncion - Merto is a highly experienced route-setter with a passion for climbing and an eye for creative and challenging routes. With a total of 10 years of route-setting experience, including 6 and a half years at the Front Climbing Club, Merto has established himself as one of the most skilled and respected setters in the industry. Currently serving as the head-setter for the SLC OG location, he takes immense pride in leading his team of setters to create exciting and diverse routes for climbers of all levels.
Merto's love for the sport extends beyond just setting routes. He is dedicated to mentoring and training younger setters, helping them improve their skills and efficiency. He also relishes the opportunity to set for competitions, where he can push the limits of what is possible and challenge even the most seasoned climbers.
Merto Ascuncion - Merto is a highly experienced route-setter with a passion for climbing and an eye for creative and challenging routes. With a total of 10 years of route-setting experience, including 6 and a half years at the Front Climbing Club, Merto has established himself as one of the most skilled and respected setters in the industry. Currently serving as the head-setter for the SLC OG location, he takes immense pride in leading his team of setters to create exciting and diverse routes for climbers of all levels.
Merto's love for the sport extends beyond just setting routes. He is dedicated to mentoring and training younger setters, helping them improve their skills and efficiency. He also relishes the opportunity to set for competitions, where he can push the limits of what is possible and challenge even the most seasoned climbers.