Interview by Chris Danielson for eGrips

Without a doubt the most experienced competition setter of his age in the US, Kyle McCabe came up through the ranks of competition setting by spending years competing himself in USA Climbing and Youth World Championships.

McCabe, a Wild Country sponsored setter, topped the podium in 2003 in US Youth Nationals for his age category, and in the years since has been the go-to-guy for routesetting in the Northeastern US and has set for numerous National events as well.

Known in the setting community as “Hayseed” due to his farm-tough work ethic and awe-shucks personality, Kyle recently received the highest certification from USAC Setting by becoming a Level 4 – National Chief. Below Hayseed tells us how it all began and what he’s seen through all the years.

eG: Kyle, you’re a youngin’ – been climbing less than ten years, right? How did you get into it?
KM: My older sister took me to a local gym in southern NH as a belated birthday gift. Shortly thereafter, I met a good friend of mine Steve Buck who became my coach in 2002.

eG: So you began competing in the US Youth Circuit soon after you began climbing, and got to some international events as well. What were some standout moments in your youth competitive climbing career?
KM: Traveling and meeting people were my favorite aspects of competing all over. Having the opportunity to train and compete with some of the best climbers in the world had its highlights. Seeing how hard climbers will try and train to do well was an eye opener. I knew that I worked hard, but after my first trip to Europe I had a new look on competitive rock climbing. The Euros were machines, the Russians were way fast and the US was trying as hard as we could to represent our slots.

eG: Coached by Steve Buck at a small gym called Boulder Morty’s up in New Hampshire, is Steve’s experience and that gym how you got into route setting as well?
KM: My good friend, “Bucky” is the biggest reason why I am anywhere in this industry. Having gone through all the steps, by his side, from competitor, to coach to finally to national route setter. I will always give Bucky the greatest thanks and respect for what he has helped me get through.

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