Utah State University - » Aggie Climbing Club holds first climbers’ social

Aggie Climbing Club holds first climbers’ social

September 13th, 2015 Posted in Recreation

By Landon Pozernick

The Aggie Climbing Club hosted its first social event Thursday night at the Hobbit Caves in Logan Canyon. Consisting of a bonfire, marshmallow roast and night climbing, the event was designed to promote the club as well as the climbing community, getting rock enthusiasts together to meet and make friends.

“It’s a way to create a community,” said club president Zachery Hall. “If someone needs a climbing buddy or some gear, we can hook them up.”

Dozens of climbers showed up for the social, as well as interested amateurs who are looking to get into the sport.

“The social was good because we had a lot of guys exchanging numbers,” Hall said. “A group just climbed yesterday that met at the social.”

Though there are other groups made by and for climbers in Logan, Aggie Climbing Club is the first officially recognized climbing club at Utah State University. It was started in spring semester 2015 by Hall and his roommate, now vice president, James Neeley. Though only about 50 people signed up initially, many more have followed.

“We had 306 signups at Day on the Quad,” Hall said.

Local climbers Ian and Jessica Blotter agreed that a climbing club would be beneficial.

“I think it’s a good thing, especially since the RockHaus closed,” Ian Blotter said, referencing a Logan climbing gym that shut down in May after nine years in business.

“It’s really cool to meet other people with different experience,” Jessica Blotter said, “and have them teach you.”

As for the future, the club has a few ideas in the works.

“We’re going to get more officers and get more organized,” Hall said.

He also hopes to hold more socials and to keep members involved in the club’s main focus, rock climbing, with trips up the canyon and teaching experiences. He plans to keep group size small for these excursions, four or five people, to avoid overcrowding the crags.

Climbers who become members have even more to look forward to.

“We’re in the process with Al’s Sporting Goods to get discounts,” Hall said, “and we’re working with the school to fund trips outside of Logan, at City of Rocks or Moab.”