Intro to Steep Climbing on the kilterboard

I’m likely the world’s biggest Kilterboard fan! It’s great at multiple angles and for all levels of climbers. My preferred kilterboard angles are 70 and 80 degrees, but I’m learning to appreciate 55 degrees. Although I jokingly call this angle “slab climbing” , 55 degrees is truly steep climbing. For climbers not familiar with climbing at steep angles, the change in technique and strength required can be quite jolting. Picking a quality route can be difficult and finding routes that fit your body can be even more difficult. Here are some of my favorite well-rounded setters at 55 degrees to make your transition to steep climbing easier!

These setters are listed in no particular order.

1. Kilterjackie

   Go to Kilterjackie climbs if you want to practice tricky footwork, climbing flowy problems, or if you’re short.

   Some of my favorite climbs of hers at 55 degrees include “For Heather, After Work” (V1), “Tom Thumb” (V4+), “Stand By Your Hand” (V5+), and “Cross Body” (V8)

2. spalermo

   Finding Spalermo climbs is easy because he has them named as “Unknown”. His climbs can be reachy, but some are great for shorties as well. They usually flow pretty well too. Some of my favorite climbs at 55 degrees are “Unknown #17” (V5), “Unknown #21” (V5+), and “Unknown #60” (V8+)

3. ddddunkin

   Ddddunkin is tall and sets that way too. Sometimes I cant reach the start holds, but despite being a shorty, I love his problems. He makes great traverses (particularly dddd213 at 70 degrees). His climbs are a mixture of huge throws, flowy climbs, and inverted climbs! Some of my favorite climbs at 55 degrees are “dddd12” (V3), “dddd51” (V3), “dddd75” (V5+).

4. brianharrington

   These climbs generally contain interesting movement with reasonably sized movements. Occasionally, I can’t reach the footholds, but a heel hook or a toehook can typically get me through it. Some of my favorites at 55 degrees are “bph74” (V7), “bph31” (V6+), and “bph15” (V9)

5. trendyrendy

   Fun and/or Flowy. Time and time again, I’ll climb something really fun and it is either set by trendyrendy or was FA’d by trendyrendy. We evidently like similar movements. Some of my favorites are “JL 1” (v1/2), “Dont Stress'“ (V2/3), “Barrel Roll” (V8), “Progression Mindset” (V9), and “Subtlety is Overrated” (V8)

6. jwebxl

   Jimmy webb’s are sometimes made for the taller climber, but are often well set and generally solid for the grade. Classics (but not my favorite) at 55 degrees are “Proj Braj” (V6) and “Swooped” (V6). I like “Satch” (V6) and “Lost in leri” (V3/4).

7. griffinwhiteside

   I haven’t climbed a lot of Griffinwhiteside problems, but he set two of my favorite V6s- “Priest Drawn” and “Drawing the Priest”

   Let me know who your favorite setters are at 55 degrees!! Below is a video of me climbing Progression Mindset (V9).