About Shift Climbing

Jonathan has been climbing and working in climbing gyms for nearly 20 years. He is one of the few USA Climbing Level 5 certified routesetters. In addition to having set for many Climbing World Cups and international competitions,  he has also routeset for and chiefed over a dozen National Championships events.

While he loves routesetting for the world's best climbers, his true passion lies in creating incredible climbing gym experiences for both new and experienced climbers. He is driven by innovation and creative movements and spaces as well as creating the best in-gym experience found anywhere - these are his motivations in opening Shift.

When not in the gym, you can find Jonathan traveling the globe - seeking out the worlds top climbing experiences. His tick list of favorites includes the iconic 60m sport climb, Tom et Je Ris in Verdon Gorge, France; Arctic Grayling and Wall of Late Evening Light - two of his big wall first ascents in Canada's NW territories, and the red bouldering circuit in Isatis sector of Fontainebleau, France.

Jack has been an avid member of the climbing community for 15+ years. In his 20 year professional career, Jack founded the digital marketing agency Techwood in 2009 - which he sold 100% to the employees as an ESOP in 2018. The company was then fully acquired by a mid-market agency in 2021.  Jack led growth at this mid-market agency for three years before exiting and co-founding Shift with Jonathan in 2024.  

Outside of Shift, Jack lives in West Michigan with his wife and three kids, is involved in a small handful of other business ventures, and tracks drums for Engedi Music.  Jack's tick list of favorite climbs includes Bear Creek Spire in the eastern Sierra Nevada; Cathedral Peak in Tuolumne;  some fun multi-pitch out East in Linville Gorge, NC (The Mummy, The Daddy, The Prow); as well as some good, simple scrambles such as the Eastern Ridge of Mt. Russel, the Huntington Ravine up Mt. Washington, or the Cathedrals / Knife Edge (in that order) route up Katahdin.

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Chase has been an avid climber his whole life. Hailing from the great (and flat) state of Kansas limited his climbing options to the trees and buildings around town! After moving to Central Oregon, Chase discovered the glory of rock climbing and hasn’t turned back. He began teaching introductory climbing classes in his hometown gym in 2020 and became the General Manager in 2022. 

Having spent most of his career in education and ministry, Chase’s true passions are helping people become the best version of themselves while creating the safe and hospitable spaces in which that growth can occur. When executed well, climbing gyms have proven to be fertile ground for Chase and his passions, providing thought-provoking challenges in the context of caring community.

Outside of Shift, Chase loves spending time with his wife and four kids, running out on the trails, and sitting down with others over a cup of coffee with a good record spinning. He loved his experiences learning to climb at Smith Rock in Central Oregon and bouldering with friends on the humble crags of Northwest Arkansas.