Route Setting

We route set a different area of the centre weekly so there is always something fresh to try.

Setting usually takes place during the day on Mondays and Tuesdays (though can vary if there is an event), with the aim of being open for its first keen climbers by 5pm on the Tuesday evening.

The setting schedule is released monthly on our social media, alongside weekly beta videos (examples of how to complete the route), for those who are interested.

We are proud of the variety in interesting, fun and challenging climbs at Volume 1, which is all thanks to our excellent setting team. Check out the profiles of some of our core setters below.

Meet The Setters

  • Ben Preston

    HEAD OF CLIMBING AT V1 & HIGH SPORTS

  • Will East

    SENIOR SETTER

    Will started climbing in 2019 while at university after joining the climbing club, which quickly led to his degree taking a back seat as he got as stuck in as he could with the club’s antics. It was there that he first dabbled in route setting at the university wall. After graduating, he joined Volume 1, initially working as an Instructor and Duty Manager, before making the move into the setting team.

    These days, climbing takes up the majority of Will’s time as he bounces between setting jobs and outdoor bouldering. He strives to be an all-rounder and gets excited about almost any style of climbing - if someone is psyched by a climb, he wants to be too! That said, he’s most likely to be found having retreated to a dark, dingy cave somewhere…

  • Kirsten Pyper

    SQUAD MANAGER/COACH/ROUTE SETTER

    Kirsten has been setting for 5 years and has set for multiple regional and national youth competitions. She even created her own home board during lockdown, complete with homemade wooden holds, leading to a love of woody holds and steep overhang climbing on crimps.

    She enjoys setting for competitions, finding them rewarding despite the hard work involved, and is particularly passionate about creating accessible climbs that have solutions for all heights. Not an easy task!

    Kirsten started climbing at the age of 9 and went on to compete in both youth bouldering and ropes competitions and was part of the GB youth team. She is also a keen outdoor boulderer and sport climber.

    A talented climber, setter and coach, we’re delighted to have Kirsten on the team.

Climbing Area Map