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.
Reads drawings, specs, and clearances with your architect.
Knows what makes a wall fun to climb — at every level.
Builds the SOPs and training your staff runs on.
From first sketch to opening day and beyond.
Hire me for one piece or the whole project. Every engagement is scoped to your facility, budget, and timeline.
Wall design consulting
Alongside architects and manufacturers: wall angles, features, traffic flow, safety clearances, and layout that serves beginners and competitive teams alike.
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.
FREE TOOLHold inventory tracker template →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.
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.
A clear path from idea to opening day.
Intro call
A free conversation about your facility, goals, and timeline.
Assessment & scope
I review drawings or your existing wall and propose a scope that fits the budget.
Design & procurement
I work with your architect and wall vendor, and source the holds and setting gear.
Launch & handoff
Setter training, SOPs, and opening support — so your team owns it from day one.
University of Pittsburgh 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.
- Vendor coordination
- Hold procurement
- Routesetting infrastructure
- Staff training documentation
Read the feature →“University rec center has comprehensive routesetting program and commercial-grade walls.”
— CLIMBING BUSINESS JOURNAL
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.
Read the case study →- Program audit
- Analytics dashboard
- Pricing & pay rates
- Capital project planning
In the news
Notes on building & running climbing walls.
One Set of Eyes on a Whole Climbing Gym: A NY Case Study
How a multi-month consulting engagement with a New York climbing gym grew from a narrow scope into a whole-operation review.
Meet Sam Gotthelf: A Climbing Consultancy Specialist
When it comes to designing and optimizing climbing facilities, having the right expertise can make all the difference. Whether you are planning a new climbing wall or upgrading an existing one, the…
Planning Your Climbing Wall Project Successfully
Building or upgrading a climbing wall is an exciting challenge. It requires careful planning to create a space that is safe, functional, and inspiring. Whether you are part of a university recreation…
Planning a wall? Let's talk.
Breaking ground on a new facility or getting more out of an existing one, the first conversation is free. I reply within two business days.