1774 Wallace Dr. Knoxville TN 37920
Wei Qin is the Lead Route Setter at Climbing Roots, bringing nearly two decades of climbing experience to the team.
Originally from China, Wei’s passion for climbing began in 2008 in the iconic limestone cliffs of Yangshuo. His climbing career reached new heights when he sent a 5.14c/d and earned sponsorships from North Face and Millet.
Wei also owned and operated a climbing business in China, where he developed outdoor areas and shared his passion with beginners as a climbing guide. Since moving to the U.S. in 2018, Wei has immersed himself in his love for movement, as a route setter and ninja coach.
Wei strives to create dynamic and engaging problems that challenge climbers of all skill levels, bringing his passion for movement and creativity to every problem he works on. Outside of climbing, he enjoys spending time with his two-year-old daughter and fly fishing.
Andrew McClung: Yo, what's up, guys! My name is Andrew McClung, and I'm a routesetter at CR!
I started climbing in 2020 in my hometown, Cleveland, TN. I've been competing in climbing for about 4 years in the USAC circuit. My highest boulder grade is V12, and my hardest rope grade is 5.13. Yeahhh I'm a little better at bouldering than ropes, haha...
My goals in climbing are to compete in World Cups and to climb V15/5.14. I look forward to routesetting for this awesome gym and an even cooler community! If you ever see me in the gym, feel free to say hello! I love meeting new people!
I'm Mark Large, from Knoxville, Tennessee. I am part of the crew at Climbing Roots. I’ve been rock climbing for 32 years. I received much of my experience as a climbing instructor working for the Boy Scouts and working for The Climbing Center. During that time my work grew from a passion to a skill to a dedicated craft.
I love rock climbing and love to share my knowledge and experience with others!
When I’m not climbing I spend my time with family and occasionally pick up a camera and explore the world around me through a lens.
Claudia, our Programs Manager, discovered climbing nearly ten years ago in the climbing gyms of Chicago, shortly after that she transitioned to outdoor climbing at Devil's Lake and the Red River Gorge. Her passion for the outdoors led her to earn her SPI through the AMGA and she’s guided several seasons on both rock and ice. Some of her favorite trips include Acadia National Park, Yosemite, Moab, and the frozen waterfalls of Pictured Rocks, Michigan.
Now based in South Knoxville, Claudia guides at Ijams Crag on weekends and volunteers with her local women’s mountain bike club. She also organizes outings with her local BIPOC climbing and adventure group. When not outside or in the gym, she’s likely baking, watching Netflix, or visiting family in Chicago.
For Claudia, climbing is about connection, growth, and creating space for others. She believes everyone should find joy and feel welcome in the climbing community—and she's proud to help make that happen.
Ric Massey started climbing in Idaho at City of Rocks and Dierkes Lake, where he found his love for granite cracks and committing moves that make your hands shake just a bit. After moving east, he spent a season living in the Red River Gorge, where he set the Caver’s Car-to-Car record and fell for bold trad lines and real adventure.
Five years into climbing, Ric is still drawn to anything that feels intense, exposed, and just a little bit scary. When he’s not climbing, he’s usually washing or driving his Porsche, out on a run, or playing video games.
Hey! I’m Liz— I am one of the yoga instructors at Climbing Roots! I’ve been climbing for about 10 years and teaching yoga for the past 2. I love how yoga and climbing complement each other — both build strength and body awareness in different ways.
My classes focus on helping climbers keep their bodies healthy and moving with ease on and off the wall.
Find me in a class or on the wall and come say hi!
Hey Everyone! My name is Sam Gruber and I’m psyched to be a part of the Roots team as a setter!
I started climbing (just like Andrew!) in 2020 in my hometown of Cleveland, TN. Since then I’ve bouldered up to v10 and hope to push that to v11 this season.
I care a lot about climbers adding objects to their movement library. After each boulder asking, “What did I just learn from this climb and how can that help me in the future?”
Anyway, I'm super extraverted and psyched about climbing so if you ever see me floating around the gym please come say hi!!
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Trever is a Knoxville native who grew up in West Knox and has always loved being outdoors. Whether skating, boarding, or just plain walking, he’s always been driven by one thing — to explore.
When he’s not out adventuring, you’ll probably find him at home with his dog, Marceline, playing video games or hanging out with friends over a board game night.
Trever also loves to chat, so if you see him around the gym, don’t hesitate to say hey... just know you may be there for a while!
Leah is a Knoxville native who’s happiest outside. With over eight years of climbing experience, she loves being part of a community that shares her passion for movement and the outdoors.
When she’s not climbing, snowboarding, or spending time outside, she’s probably busy planning her next trip or taking photos.
Outside the gym, you’ll find her with her dog, Spot, or enjoying live music around town.
