We are excited to announce that one of the coolest gyms in the Midwest, Vertical Endeavors-Minneapolis, will be host to a Level 1 Clinic, January 21st and 22nd, 2012.  USA Climbing National Chief Setter John Muse, will be instructing the clinic. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in improving their overall setting, learning fundamental skill sets for competition route setting, and taking the first step towards advancing as a USAC competition route setter.

This clinic is two full days and the cost is $100.00. A $55 USAC route setter annual membership is also mandatory, and if you are not already a member, you may also purchase the membership online while registering.  Successful participants in the clinic will receive Level 1 certification, to set for local USAC competitions.

Participation is capped at 20 and anyone with 6 months or more experience as a route setter who can work V3 or 5.10 can join the clinic. Through the registration process you will be provided with a USAC route setter profile form which you can complete and send to jmuse@stonemoves.com. Please register directly for the clinic here.

Please contact John Muse directly at jmuse@stonemoves.com. with any questions about the clinic.

ABS Season 13 Youth Divisionals are fast approaching in January. Beginning this year, we started offering Internships at USAC Divisional Level events, where there is a Level 4 National Chief Route Setter, as the event Chief.

The primary goal of the Internship program is to give more route setters the opportunity to work at the highest level events to gain experience. Route setters must have completed a USAC Level 2 Clinic in order to apply. Those route setters who may not have received an endorsement from a Level 2 Clinic, but would like to demonstrate their experience and gain that endorsement may also apply. If selected and completing a successful Divisional Internship, a Level 2 Endorsement in Youth Bouldering will be applied.

Those ABS Youth Divisionals where there will be Internships offered are at:

Rocks and Ropes (AZ): Chief, Luke Bertelsen luke@rocksandropes.com

Seattle Bouldering Project (WA): Chief, Mike Helt mike@routesetter.com

Gravity Vault (NJ): Chief, Molly Beard mbeard@mad.scientist.com

Stone Summit (GA): Chief, Jeremy Hardin jeremy@sportrock.com

Please download the application here and send directly to the Chief Route Setter at the event you would like to apply to. Deadline for applications is December 31st.