Intro
Meet Carolina Fullerton — a full-time mom, part-time routesetter, and full-time creative force. Between setting routes, painting original works of art, and raising her little one, Carolina brings passion and purpose to everything she does. Her story weaves together climbing, creativity, and resilience, showing how art and adventure can go hand in hand.
Quick Facts
Name: Carolina Fullerton
Occupation: Full-time mom, part-time routesetter, and artist
Years Routesetting: 7 years
Years Climbing: 10 years
Favorite Snack: Sour candy or Nerds
Favorite Hold Type: Absolute Asteroids — “Versatile, unassuming, but comfortable”
Fun Fact: Blind in her left eye and deaf in her right ear
Climbing and Routesetting
Q: How long have you been climbing for?
A: 10 years.
Q: How did you get into climbing?
A: My brother took me top roping once, and I was hooked. I was in a very volatile relationship at the time, and climbing became good therapy for getting through that part of my life.
Q: How long have you been routesetting, and how did you get started?
A: I’ve been a routesetter for 7 years. I got into it after helping the setting team at my local gym. I’m small, so I could give useful feedback on setting. Eventually, I quit my management and operations role to pursue it full time.
Q: What made you move to part-time setting?
A: As I became a mom, I wanted to focus on raising my baby, so I shifted to part-time work.
Q: Do you have any project climbs currently?
A: I fully ruptured my A2 earlier this month, so not right now! But I’m super motivated to get back with patience and practice. Shoutout to The Climb Clinic.
Life as a Climber Mom
Q: What’s your go-to climbing snack?
A: As a mom, I could survive on my snack supply for a week with what I carry in my bag! Sour candy or Nerds are always stocked though.
Q: If you were a rock climbing hold, which one would you be?
A: Absolute Asteroids. Very versatile, unassuming, but comfortable!
The Art of Expression
Q: What’s your favorite part of being an artist?
A: It’s my way of expressing myself. I only sell original works because I like knowing that whoever buys my art gets their own unique piece — and it’s theirs forever.
Q: Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created?
A: My large abstract pieces are my favorite. The very first big piece I did is still my favorite; it opened the door for me to let my creativity shine. It’s one I’ll probably keep forever.
Q: How do you think art and climbing are alike?
A: They’re both muses that pull us in. Just like paint goes on a canvas, nature weathers rock. It’s all art, really.
Q: Do you have a favorite artist?
A: I don’t know if I have one favorite, but Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights is my favorite work.
Beyond the Brush and the Wall
Q: If your friends could describe you in three words, what would they be?
A: Short, charismatic, mom.
Q: If you could go rock climbing with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
A: My grandfather. He passed a few years ago, but I think he would have loved it.
Q: What’s a misconception about artists you’d like to change?
A: I have no idea!
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of climbing and art?
A: Disc golfing and cooking.
Q: What’s a fact about you people would be surprised to learn?
A: I’m blind out of my left eye and deaf out of my right ear!
thedihedral.com 