Instagram story viewer> @karen_sets> Posts

K A R E N L A U

@karen_sets

196

followers

83

following

⚒️ routesetter 🇦🇺

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Some boulders from the last few weeks since coming back from overseas, not super forced but interesting to see how ideas played out, esp for moves that I myself isn't very familiar with

Thanks Finn and Dillon for the demo 🤗

@nomadboulderingsyd
@elevateclimbingvillawood
@climbercollectivepenrith by @karen_sets

42

3

14 hours ago

Round 3 is on the wall! 🔥

A little behind-the-scenes look at the setters putting the work in for the final round of the Winter Leading Ladder.

Lots of testing, tweaking and making sure there’s something for everyone. 👀🧗

Now it’s your turn, get on the wall and see what they’ve cooked up for Round 3!

#elevateclimbingvillawood #winterleadingladder #routesetting #climbing by @karen_sets

49

2

2 months ago

Some drafts, moves and attempts to execute prompts lately

Good to see you again @dylan_soin and thanks for trying the boulders! Also thanks @hosong.66 and @thomas.minnett being beta stunts by @karen_sets

70

4

2 months ago

Trying to be an artist while being a good craftsman

Ft. @willhammersla @finn_tregurtha by @karen_sets

57

2

3 months ago

[Flicker warning towards the end]

Some footage of testing and tweaking @nomadboulderingsyd 📍AN

One critical moment not captured was a single purple hold sitting on the wall for quite some time, which led to us trying as hands free jibs free as possible. The final product is a banger!

@finn_tregurtha
@hosong.66

Ft. @boulderbabes by @karen_sets

46

0

4 months ago

Lines, before after, comp sims, and some satisfying snaps lately(ish) by @karen_sets

50

1

4 months ago

Missed the first few minutes where I tried the initial set up of this climb. Here is the back story -

Second set day at @nomadboulderingsyd GV where we have changed to tag system. Tom and I entered the setting room, both admiring the orange holds (again), and Tom suggested scissors paper rock, winner gets the orange expressions (there were other orange macros), and he lost.

Thanks Tom for losing the mini game 😁 by @karen_sets

105

5

4 months ago

After almost 2 years, I have decided to close the chapter at @betaonebouldering. Thank you to all the setters and climbers that I have worked with and met, I will be missing all of you!

Thanks Beta One for providing me the opportunity to grow as a setter, a leader, a teacher. It's been a joy to work together to be better setters, better team members, and I hope the spirit continues 💪

To more setting journeys to come!

Photos by the talented and hard working @jpegnathan by @karen_sets

142

15

5 months ago

Progression 📈

@nomadboulderingsyd 📍GV by @karen_sets

31

2

5 months ago

Some blocs and moves last month to journal
@nomadboulderingsyd
@betaonebouldering

And guest sets at @9degreessydney 📍Chatswood & 📍 Alexandria

Grateful to meet new setters and lots of fun learning moves, excited for the first NSW States Youth Boulder setting next week 🤝 by @karen_sets

42

0

7 months ago

The team behind the climbs.

Over the next few days we’re introducing the routesetting team building the blocs for the 2026 NSW State Youth Boulder Titles at @sydneyindoorclimbinggym

We’re excited to have such a strong team bringing creativity and experience to the wall this year.

First up is Karen (she/her) @karen_sets from Nomad Bouldering & Beta One Bouldering.

Karen has been setting for around 2.5 years and says what she loves most about routesetting is
“the creativity, the teamwork and the joy when some harder moves get tuned down.”

This will be her first time setting for a State competition, but she’s already had some great experiences setting including guest setting overseas where she introduced a tobinator move that helped climbers learn a new technique in a more approachable way. Learn a little more about Karen and her setting style here:

Favourite routesetting trend
Japanese style

Favourite gym
Nomad Gladesville, best gym ever

Weirdest hold
A two-mono separated just wide enough that you end up using your index and ring finger

1 try send or long battle?
1 try send… unless the climb is really fun

Fun fact: Even though she’s not very tall now, she was once the tallest in her class in Year 5 (the same height she is now).

Excited to try one of Karen’s boulders?

Still thinking about signing up?

There’s just one week left to register for the 2026 NSW State Youth Boulder Titles. See link in our bio.

Gold Sponsor: @mountain_equipment_aus @scarpa_australia

Community Sponsors: @podiumclimbing @stickybeetapes

Design: @cuppa_t_

Photos: @jpegnathan @cuppa_t_ by @karen_sets

116

3

7 months ago

So many things happened in the last week -

1/ New setting shirt @nomadboulderingsyd, recorded one of each 🟦 -> 🟥 from recent sets at Annandale on this rainy day. Loving this new sector planning and the long awaited colour tags (NB: obviously not all the setting were from last week but the climbing were 😆)

2-3/ Happy 4th Birthday @betaonebouldering!! 🎉 Two climbs I set for finals, gotta work on my comp slab setting because I think the climb can give more

4/ First time setting routes! Huge thanks to @elevateclimbingvillawood for this great opportunity, had heaps of fun 🙌 Didn't get a final product photo but they are up, please go give them a try 🤗

And last of all, did my first 4-consecutive-day set, I survived! by @karen_sets

60

2

8 months ago