Why Crux and Crown? The Story Behind the Name and the Journey Ahead
Crux and Crown
It was pitch three. Fingers crimped on wet granite, calves shaking, wind biting. I was too high up to downclimb and too pumped to commit. That moment — halfway up and halfway unraveling — was the crux.
Every climb has one. That section that demands everything: strength, focus, trust. Sometimes it breaks you. Sometimes you break through. Either way, you don’t forget it.
We call this blog Crux and Crown because the outdoors teaches us over and over again: the hardest moments are where the story actually begins. And the summit — the crown — doesn’t come without the fight.
The Crux: The Place Where You’re Tested
In climbing, the crux is the toughest move on the route. It’s where you pause, reassess, sometimes swear, and decide whether you’re going up — or giving up. But it’s not just climbing. Backpacking in sideways rain, blowing a tire on a remote dirt road, pushing through altitude headaches or fear of exposure — the crux is that moment in every adventure where comfort ends and the real journey starts.
We don’t avoid those moments. We seek them. That’s where growth happens.
The Crown: The Summit, the Silence, the Small Victories
There’s the glory shot at the summit, sure. But the crown is more than that. It’s sunrise coffee on a granite ledge. It’s the first breath after you top out. It’s bruises that feel like medals and stories that last longer than the aches.
Crux and Crown is about both. The struggle and the view. The wipeouts and the wins. The road trips that went sideways, and the ones that changed everything.
What You’ll Find Here
This blog is for the ones who don’t mind a little dirt under their nails. The ones who chase wild places not just for the Instagram reel, but for what they reveal about who we are. Whether you climb, hike, bike, run rivers, or live out of your trunk for a season — you’re in the right place.
Here’s what you can expect:
Trip reports from climbing spots, hiking trails, and off-the-grid adventures
Gear reviews from real use in real conditions
Travel stories with equal parts chaos and clarity
Reflections on risk, reward, solitude, and the outdoors as teacher
Tips and guides for anyone chasing vertical joy, road miles, or campfire stillness
Why I Started This
Because I’ve had more life-changing moments on a trail or a wall than in any boardroom or coffee shop. Because some stories don’t make it into guidebooks or GoPros — but they shape us anyway. Because the outdoor world is too rich, too raw, and too revelatory not to write about.
This is for anyone who's stood at the crux — physical or otherwise — and kept climbing.
What’s Next?
Coming soon — the gear that saved me, the beta that nearly broke me, and the story behind a very sketchy belay ledge.
If you’ve had a crux moment lately — on a wall, a trail, or just in life — I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment, shoot a message, or subscribe to follow along as we chase more crowns.
The crux will come.
The crown is worth it.
Let’s climb.
— Crux and Crown
