FOR CLIMBING GYMS, UNIVERSITIES & ORGANIZATIONS
Climbing walls built right. Programs that run for years.
I help climbing gyms, universities, and organizations plan, equip, and operate climbing facilities — from the first layout review to the programs, pricing, and staff playbook that keep the wall busy for years.
$250M
RECREATION & WELLNESS CENTER
USAC
CERTIFIED ROUTE SETTER
Gyms + campuses
COMMERCIAL & UNIVERSITY CLIENTS
5,000 ft²
CLIMBING SURFACE DELIVERED AT PITT
AS FEATURED IN
Climbing Business Journal
University Times
The Pitt News
Pitt Campus Recreation
TRAINING UNIVERSITY ROUTE SETTERS
WHY WORK WITH ME
One person who speaks architect, setter, and gym owner.
I'm Sam Gotthelf — a mechanical engineer, USAC-certified route setter, and competitive climber with over a decade in the sport. I led the climbing buildout at the University of Pittsburgh, one of the largest modern collegiate walls in the country. Today I also advise commercial climbing gyms on their programs, pricing, and next phase of growth.
Engineering
Reads drawings, specs, and clearances with your architect.
Climbing
Knows what makes a wall fun to climb — at every level.
Operations
Builds the SOPs and training your staff runs on.
SERVICES
From first sketch to opening day and beyond.
01
Wall design consulting
Alongside architects and manufacturers: wall angles, features, traffic flow, safety clearances, and layout that serves beginners and competitive teams alike.
02
Hold selection & procurement
Curated hold and volume sets that balance training value, fun, and long-term variety — tailored to your budget, with supplier communication handled end to end.
03
Operations, programs & pricing
Routesetting schedules, safety inspections, staff training, and risk documentation — plus youth and adult program audits, pricing, and schedules that fit your members.
04
Facility strategy & capital planning
Expansion and renovation planning, competition and event logistics, and long-term strategy for facilities that want to reach their full potential.
Hire me for one piece or the whole project. Every engagement is scoped to your facility, budget, and timeline.
HOW IT WORKS
A clear path from idea to opening day.
STEP 1
Intro call
A free conversation about your facility, goals, and timeline.
STEP 2
Assessment & scope
I review drawings or your existing wall and propose a scope that fits the budget.
STEP 3
Design & procurement
I work with your architect and wall vendor, and source the holds and setting gear.
STEP 4
Launch & handoff
Setter training, SOPs, and opening support — so your team owns it from day one.
✓
Staff training documentation
✓
Hold procurement
✓
Routesetting infrastructure
✓
Vendor coordination
SELECTED WORK
UNIVERSITY · NEW BUILD
Recreation & Wellness Center climbing wall
A $250M building with 5,000 square feet of commercial-grade climbing surface, the largest modern collegiate wall in the U.S. I led the climbing buildout and built the program that keeps it running.
COVERED BY CLIMBING BUSINESS JOURNAL
COMMERCIAL GYM · NEW YORK
Whole-gym operations review
An established climbing gym brought me in to look at the whole operation — youth and adult programs, pricing and pay rates, gear packages, and the numbers behind them — then to help plan a facility-wide capital project, including a wall expansion.
✓
✓
Program audit
Analytics dashboard
✓
✓
Pricing & pay rates
Capital project planning
PRESS
In the news
CLIMBING BUSINESS JOURNAL
University rec center has comprehensive routesetting program and commercial-grade walls
→
UNIVERSITY TIMES
Excitement abounds during opening week for Recreation and Wellness Center
→
THE PITT NEWS
Climbing to the top: Club Climbing Team at Pitt ranked No. 3 in the nation
→
PITT CAMPUS RECREATION
A student wellness testimonial: Sam Gotthelf
→