collaborative Coaching That’s Inquiry Driven & Educationally based

“As a member of Bozeman’s climbing team for several years, I’ve been consistently able to see Taylor’s dedication to seeing me and my teammates succeed, and the genuine care she has for each and every one of us.” 

— Josi Hinds, former Bozeman Climbing Team member

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TANGENT COACHING PHILOSOPHY

TANGENT COACHING PHILOSOPHY ⧨

At Tangent, we prioritize collaboration, inquiry, and education. We believe that climbing performance goes far beyond hangboard protocols and 4x4’s. Physical strength must pass through the filters of technique, tactics, and head game. So even when we write training sessions, we put those skills at the forefront.

TAYLOR’S WORK & CLIMBING RESUMÉs

I started out learning how to trad climb in the Adirondack mountains of Upstate New York at the tail end of my senior year of high school. An in-trad-uction, if you will. In 2011, I moved to Bozeman, MT and subsequently learned to gym climb, clip bolts outside, and huck myself at some boulder problems. I even ice climbed for a season but that was not my jam. Over the last several years, performance sport climbing has become my main focus. In November of 2020, I moved to St. George, UT in part for that reason. I have some big goals, but so far I’ve been lucky enough to complete 15+ 5.13’s and well over 100 5.12’s.

My climbing partners would tell you that I’m most adept on technical terrain and have a penchant for efficiency both in movement and tactics. That being said, I do enjoy throwing myself at a good power route. And I do still dabble in bouldering.

Here are some of my all time favorite sport routes:

Super Fun 11a | Sunset Alley, UT
Kahleesi
11c | The Grail, AZ
Vulcan Jessery 12a | Ten Sleep, WY
Holla 12d | Ten Sleep, WY
Designer Dog 13a | Sun City, NV
Movin’ On Up 13b+ | Sunset Alley, UT

  • Taylor got her start in the teaching realm by working youth programs and introductory adult courses at Spire Climbing Center in 2013. From there, she got involved in the competitive youth circuit, coaching the Bozeman Climbing Team for several years. In 2020, she started her own coaching business called Holistic Climber, which then morphed into Tangent Climbing in late 2021.

    Spire Climbing Center | Head Coach Bozeman Climbing Team [December 2017 - August 2020]
    Spire Climbing Center | Asst. Head Coach [October 2016 - December 2017]
    Touch the Sky Climbing | Guide, Trip Leader [June 2015 - July 2017]
    Spire Climbing Center | Instructor [March 2013 - March 2016]

  • Taylor’s routesetting career began in August of 2012 at the Montana State University Climbing Wall. A year later, she began to also set at Spire Climbing Center, where she remained for over eight years, four of which she ran the routesetting program. She then made a move to St. George, UT to routeset at a new gym for a couple years.

    Over the course of her career, Taylor has set for and organized dozens of local competitions and has been on the crews for several USAC Championship events (both sport and bouldering) up to the Divisional level. Taylor now sets freelance both commercially and for competitions.

    Contact Climbing Gym | Asst. Head Routesetter [February 2021 - November 2022]
    Spire Climbing Center | Head Routesetter [October 2016 - May 2020]
    Spire Climbing Center | Routesetter [March 2013 - March 2016]
    Montana State University Climbing Wall | Routesetter, Head Routesetter [August 2012 - May 2016]

  • Tangent takes continued education very seriously. We’re always doing our best to gain new skills and knowledge, and stay up to date with industry standards.

    MHFA-Adult | Adult Mental Health First Aid [obtained December 18, 2025]
    ISSA-YFS | International Sports Science Association Youth Fitness Specialist [obtained 2023]
    ISSA-SNS | International Sports Science Association Sports Nutrition Specialist [obtained July 27, 2021]
    NASM-MT | National Academy of Sports Medicine Mental Toughness CEU [obtained October 10, 2020]
    NASM-CPT | National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer [obtained June 26, 2020]
    PCC | Performance Climbing Coach Seminars [2020, 2021]

  • Taylor has had the opportunity to participate in several recorded conversations with some wonderful humans in the climbing space. Check out the episodes below.

    Power Company Podcast Episode 188: Routesetting and Coaching from a Female Perspective
    Power Company Podcast What When How to Train | Ten Sleep, WY
    Power Company Podcast Top 4 Ways to Transition to Outdoor Climbing
    The Impact Driver Podcast Put a Drop in the Bucket When You Can
    Female Guides Requested EP 36: Keep Climbing Fun
    Sends & Suffers EP 70: Finding Balance and Joy in the Climbing Industry
    Sends & Suffers EP 77: Coaching Youth and Life Check-in with Taylor
    Sends & Suffers EP 93: Taylor and Mario Talk Shop About Their Coaching Clinic at the International Climbers Fest
    The Nugget Ways to Improve Your Climbing if Access is Limited and Other Listener Questions

The header image on this page was taken by Jules Jimreivat on Pitch 2 of Humble Camel (12d) in Montana.