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scrapedape
Jul 24, 2009, 2:16 PM
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ticebf,
I'm not sure where you're coming from, but I can tell you that from DC at least, you can be on the rock at Seneca probably just as quickly as you can at Old Rag. The drive to Old Rag always took longer than I expected, and then you have to add on another hour or so for the approach. Plus, Old Rag is pretty confusing as you try to find the various crags. Not sure how tough the ladies you'll have along are, but they might find the scenic drive and 15 minute approach to Seneca a little more enjoyable. I'll second the recommendation for the Lower Slabs.
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ubu
Jul 24, 2009, 2:37 PM
Post #27 of 39
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scrapedape wrote: ticebf, I'm not sure where you're coming from, but I can tell you that from DC at least, you can be on the rock at Seneca probably just as quickly as you can at Old Rag. The drive to Old Rag always took longer than I expected, and then you have to add on another hour or so for the approach.
Absolutely. From DC the run to Seneca is only 2.5 hrs, thanks to Corridor H.
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IsayAutumn
Jul 24, 2009, 3:28 PM
Post #28 of 39
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scrapedape wrote: ticebf, I'm not sure where you're coming from, but I can tell you that from DC at least, you can be on the rock at Seneca probably just as quickly as you can at Old Rag. The drive to Old Rag always took longer than I expected, and then you have to add on another hour or so for the approach. Plus, Old Rag is pretty confusing as you try to find the various crags. Not sure how tough the ladies you'll have along are, but they might find the scenic drive and 15 minute approach to Seneca a little more enjoyable. I'll second the recommendation for the Lower Slabs.
I was very happy with the well-traveled climbs at the lower slabs (Scuttle - 5.7; Discrepency - 5.8; and Warlock - hard 5.9). Great quality. However, most of the other routes I looked at were dirty and looked like nobody had been on them the entire season. Bring your Batman spider repellent and clip it to your rack.
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ticebf
Jul 24, 2009, 7:17 PM
Post #29 of 39
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2.5 Hours? Everything else is reading 3.5....What's Corridor H and how the hell do I find it!?
I'm ruling out Old Rag for the moment, but am pondering between Seneca and Hidden Rock. If Seneca really is 2.5, then it's a done deal.
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ubu
Jul 24, 2009, 7:33 PM
Post #30 of 39
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ticebf wrote: 2.5 Hours? Everything else is reading 3.5....What's Corridor H and how the hell do I find it!? I'm ruling out Old Rag for the moment, but am pondering between Seneca and Hidden Rock. If Seneca really is 2.5, then it's a done deal.
Corridor H is the new Rt 55 and does a great job of connecting Wardensville to Moorefield...it easily shaves 15 min off the drive, and more like 30 min on average since I used to inevitably get stuck behind a sloooow logging truck with no chance of passing on the old 55.
If they ever hook the route up with 66 (this was the original plan I think, but VA has backed off from implementing it) it will really cut down on travel time to Seneca...
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brianc
Jul 24, 2009, 7:41 PM
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As I'm constantly reminded by one of my partners, Seneca is only 2.5 hours if you live outside of DC and close to 66. Like say, Fairfax. He's coming from Alexandria which tags another 45 mins to an hour onto the trip.
Despite what many say, Seneca is fine for a day trip. Tiring, but fine. Been doing it for years.
Corridor H is the name for parcels of land set aside in WV for a highway between Elkins and VA. Right now it only runs (I think) from Wardensville to Moorefield (which is where you'd get off for Seneca anyway). As for finding it, it's _the way_. Turn on outside Wardensville and off when the road stops at Moorefield.
(This post was edited by brianc on Jul 24, 2009, 7:46 PM)
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brianc
Jul 24, 2009, 8:04 PM
Post #33 of 39
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ubu wrote: brianc wrote: As I'm constantly reminded by one of my partners, Seneca is only 2.5 hours if you live outside of DC and close to 66. Like say, Fairfax. He's coming from Alexandria which tags another 45 mins to an hour onto the trip. An extra 45 min from Alexandria? That's extreme, unless he's leaving during rush hour...in which case an extra 2 hrs is more like it 
You can take it up with him. Not my drive, not my problem. Without getting too deeply into the charms of NOVA traffic, 45 mins doesn't seem terribly far off the mark.
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virginiapine
Sep 24, 2009, 3:16 PM
Post #34 of 39
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Yup, climbing regularly at Old Rag is definitely only for the very motivated and fit. I still like it better than Seneca 'cause I'm actually out getting exercise all day instead of crammed into a metal box on wheels for hours on end...
Plus it's great back-country experience, which will stand you in good stead if you go out to other wilder parts of the world. And only half the crags/routes on the mountain are listed in Horst's book - plenty of scope for exploring (which I've been gradually doing over the last 6 years)...
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lofstromc
Sep 24, 2009, 3:46 PM
Post #35 of 39
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I'm assuming your talking about Horst's book, when you mentioned a guide.
Be warned that his road directions are wrong, unless there has been a new edition. Use the directions off of this site to get there and you'll get there.
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lodi5onu
Sep 25, 2009, 1:18 PM
Post #36 of 39
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lofstromc wrote: I'm assuming your talking about Horst's books, when you mentioned a guide. Be warned that his road directions are wrong, unless there has been a new edition. Use the directions off of this site to get there and you'll get there.
Fixed that for ya
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koepkeca
Sep 25, 2009, 1:47 PM
Post #37 of 39
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lodi5onu wrote: lofstromc wrote: I'm assuming your talking about Horst's books, when you mentioned a guide. Be warned that his road directions are wrong, unless there has been a new edition. Use the directions off of this site to get there and you'll get there. Fixed that for ya
+1
Additionally, the directions were so bad, and our crappy GPS so outdated that we ended up using the Topo map we purchased thus providing the only way we could of ever figured out where to go the first time. I think we ended up needing it two or three times before we finally memorized how to get there.
I believe it was the National Geographic Shenandoah Topo map. (It's worth the six bucks, trust me.)
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rockandlice
Sep 25, 2009, 4:35 PM
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ticebf wrote: uni_jim / rockandlice: Actually, I'm a Special Operations Marine, was trained by the Marine Corps as an Assault Climber and Mountain Leader, and have led day/night climbs on rock and ice. But I guess you're right, I'm probably not ready for the scary "cliffs".
Sorry to laugh at your expense, but the notion of being "certified" to climb outdoors is very humorous. It does show a level of inexperience when it comes to the sport of free climbing. You may very well be competent, but citing your military training to try and prove so over the internet gave me a chuckle as well.
Training and experience are two entirely different things. Don't take this as me passing judgement on you. I couldn't evaluate your true level of competence without actually being around you in a free climbing scenario. I'm simply commenting on how it all comes across.
That said, thank you for serving our country. It may not seem like it, but I am grateful for your service.
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LoveGettingStoned
Oct 2, 2009, 11:34 PM
Post #39 of 39
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lofstromc wrote: I'm assuming your talking about Horst's book, when you mentioned a guide. Be warned that his road directions are wrong, unless there has been a new edition. Use the directions off of this site to get there and you'll get there.
Horst is a moron.
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