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KTP
May 7, 2007, 8:18 PM
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Registered: May 7, 2007
Posts: 1
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Hello, new to the forums, and somewhat new to climbing. I'm hoping to make a trip to Shenandoah NP this summer with a friend/climbing partner, and we're looking for a little info. Neither of us have been there before, and know little about the area, but it looks like Old Rag is where all the good climbing is. From what I've been reading in the forums here and elsewhere, seems like the thing to do is park at the Berry Hollows lot and hike in. Is it permitted/possible/a good idea to park at that lot, hike out, and camp in the surrounding area for a week or so? If not what, what would you recomend doing for a backpacking and climbing excursion of more than a few days? As to the actual climbing, we've only toproped and bouldred, and so have only the corresponding gear. Does Old Rag have many topropable climbs or boulders? Here's the most important question. This would be our first major climbing trip to a truly remote location. Do two noobs such as us have no business out there? The fact that I question our ability to do this leads me to believe it might not be a good plan. Any input is much appreciated.
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not_the_moth
May 7, 2007, 8:30 PM
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Registered: Nov 8, 2006
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I believe it's all trad with shuts at the top of some of the climbs when I was down there it seemed like the only easy trad was on the northeast side and if you can't lead trad or are not sufficient at building anchors I would not recommend going there for anything other than a day or two hike. Must say Oh My God dihedral was amazing though.
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notapplicable
May 9, 2007, 1:48 PM
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Registered: Aug 31, 2006
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You can camp for free in the national forest but not above a certian elevation on Old Rag Mtn. There are not may easily accessible top rope climbs and there is not water on the Mtn. and with an hour long hike everyday carrying gear and water it is probably not the best venue for a first climbing trip with little or not trad capabilities. I would suggest buying some sport gear and heading to one of the gorges (Red River or New River) for a more enjoyable time. Logisticly it will be easier and if you can lead easy stuff on bolts you can set up TR's on near by climbs (sport or trad). If you go to one of the gorges you will beable to maximize fun and quantity of climbing, I think Old Rag will turn out to be frustrateing and possibly dangerous given your experience level and the fact that most of the climbs at Old Rag that can be TR'd take trad gear to rig an anchor.
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bobruef
May 9, 2007, 2:23 PM
Post #4 of 4
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Registered: Jul 22, 2005
Posts: 884
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KTP wrote: Hello, new to the forums, and somewhat new to climbing. I'm hoping to make a trip to Shenandoah NP this summer with a friend/climbing partner, and we're looking for a little info. Neither of us have been there before, and know little about the area, but it looks like Old Rag is where all the good climbing is. From what I've been reading in the forums here and elsewhere, seems like the thing to do is park at the Berry Hollows lot and hike in. Is it permitted/possible/a good idea to park at that lot, hike out, and camp in the surrounding area for a week or so? If not what, what would you recomend doing for a backpacking and climbing excursion of more than a few days? As to the actual climbing, we've only toproped and bouldred, and so have only the corresponding gear. Does Old Rag have many topropable climbs or boulders? Here's the most important question. This would be our first major climbing trip to a truly remote location. Do two noobs such as us have no business out there? The fact that I question our ability to do this leads me to believe it might not be a good plan. Any input is much appreciated. Lower sunset has some top-ropable stuff w/ bolt anchors.
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