As WSU’s climbing club begins their fourth year, they continue to grow and celebrate the principles upon which they were founded. Since the club’s founding, Club Climbing has always been about community, education and adventure. It plans on sticking to these values by offering more outdoor trips, strengthening the sense of community, and offering inclusive events in the gym.
Adventuring outdoors
The newest president elect, Erin Piekenbrock, spoke about the adventure side of the sports. She detailed events for the coming semester and beyond such as plans for a trip to either Zion or Red Rocks National Parks, filled with activities such as hiking, climbing and camping.
While a trip like this is for more experienced climbers, Piekenbrock hopes to foster community with the newer members by organizing a free trip to the Red River Gorge over Halloween weekend to provide a low-budget entry for less experienced climbers.
As for long term goals, Club Climbing is hoping to connect with USA climbing and incorporate more international trips including a trip to Japan in the next few years.
Community within the club
The sense of community is something many members speak of highly. McKenna Seng spoke briefly about their experience so far.
”I really like the people, it's a very accepting community," Seng said.
Anna Rude, a dance major, echoed this sentiment by saying,”It's a really welcoming space, full of love and encouragement... they've been welcoming not just as a new climber but as an individual as well.”
Both Seng and Rude point to an event that is hosted by Club Climbing twice a month known as Girls, Gays and They’s night. Every other Wednesday, club Secretary Elizabeth Harvey helps to set up and run the event.
The night is meant to create a safe space for women and members of the LGBTQ+ community as they are often overlooked and not always fully welcomed in other gyms. Harvey and the club provide a great opportunity for those who feel intimated or overwhelmed by the normal expectations of climbing to enjoy a night filled with positive support in a judgment free zone.
Warden of education and academics, Alex Petersen, has started to teach classes on proper climbing etiquette and safety protocol in the climbing gyms each Friday, with an emphasis on a different aspect of climbing each week. The goal is to keep climbers safe both in the gym and outdoors while also respecting the environment and other climbers.
The future
As WSU’s Club Climbing continues to grow in a positive direction, their club pushes students to build community, educate themselves and seek adventure. For more information, visit their Instagram or Engage page.
