Walk in, grab a pair of shoes, chat, climb and vibe to Goose jams while getting a gnarly workout. For Crux Club members, that routine has become a regular part of campus life.
“Crux” means the hardest part of a climb. Despite its name and the fatal stigma surrounding rock climbing, this climbing club is a safe space that welcomes newcomers and experienced climbers, Crux Treasurer Phillip Rollins, ’27, said.
“I think what’s really nice about Crux is it’s a chance for new climbers to come, who know absolutely nothing, and kind of get mentored by some of the senior members who have been doing it for a much longer time,” Rollins said.
Rollins, who also serves as an official trip leader for the club, started climbing at 11 years old. After climbing the highest peak in the Grand Teton Range, he says he has taken every chance he can get to climb. He even worked on Mount Rainier in Washington for Rainier Mountaineering Expeditions and climbed the Northern and Central Cascades in Oregon.
Rollins said he understands the risks of the hobby.
“It’s one of those things that’s hard to just start because of the inherent risk factor,” Rollins said. “If you don’t know what you are doing, how do you learn to do it without someone else teaching you?”
Crux Co-president Dara Bage, ’26, started climbing before joining the club her freshman year.
“I just had some really great mentors through Crux that helped me stick with it since then,” Bage said.
Patrick Strand, ’29, recently joined the club. He started climbing last March after breaking his ankle in his previous sport. Strand said he simply enjoys climbing and the workout from it.
“A lot of people fall into the rabbit hole and get really addicted, but you can do it really casually too,” Strand said.
While members are still free to climb and relax, Bage and Rollins plan to have more structured practices, implementing more workouts and drills for serious climbers.
The climbing club was founded over five years ago and has developed significantly since then, Bage said. Bage said she attributes part of the club’s growth to the Outing Club’s new location near the tennis center. The old location was a short drive away from campus and only had one small bouldering wall.
Now there are bouldering, top-rope and lead climbing walls. Members can also route-set, attaching holds to a climbing wall to create certain paths.
However, the club does not solely focus on climbing inside.
The club leads annual trips to the New River Gorge in West Virginia and other locations in Rockbridge County and across Virginia.
Rollins said Crux members are also working with the Virginia government to open climbing in Goshen Pass.
“Right now, there are bolted routes which you are able to climb, but it’s technically illegal. There’s a lot of potential there,” Rollins said. “Members of Crux are really passionate about outdoor climbing in Rockbridge County and Virginia, so we are really hoping Goshen Pass opens up.”
For serious climbers, Crux is also a good experience for those looking for future occupations in the climbing world.
After route-setting in the climbing Club, former Crux President Ryan Chen, ’25, is now looking for a job at a gym in Richmond.
Meanwhile, Rollins says he plans to work on Mount Rainier next summer as a guide.
“Crux can help in the post-grad life,” Rollins said. “Crux has helped me become a stronger climber and given me experience leading trips.”
Bage said the club is about more than just climbing.
“I think it’s a really great community and a great way to meet new people. It’s a great workout and a way to spend time outside,” Bage said.
