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About Old Rag Mountain:

Old Rag contains the finest climbing in Virginia. The only CA/NC/NH/NY-style granite routes in the area - the only granite between the Adirondacks (NY) and Stone Mtn (NC) - and conveniently located within 2 hours of DC. Old Rag has a reputation for long approaches and Cascades-caliber bushwhacking. Given the quality of the rock, it is well worth any effort needed. And truly, the more difficult bushwhacking is only when getting into areas that appeal more to hardmen/women (God Crag, Eagle's Gift, The Wall That Dreams Are Made Of). PATC Wall and Summit Cliff remain easily accessible (not to mention a lot cooler) in the summer.
The names of all the crags are as given on Hensley's overview topo from 1991.(virginiapine)
Nearest town or city: Sperryville
Directions: Print out the directions for each crag from this site or get the Horst book (Rock Climbing MD/VA/WV) and "put in your time" in order to navigate to the various crags scattered across the mountain. The skills you acquire finding, climbing, and getting down off the crags will stand you in good stead in the future.
Note 1: the road directions are a bit confusing in Horst: there is an error in describing the roads leading to the (preferred) Berry Hollow parking lot. You want to take 231 south, just east of Sperryville, then go right on 643 in the village of Etlan, and then another right onto VA Route 600 (NOT 601). Head up the road for several miles, the last of which, past the Whiteoak Canyon trailhead, is relatively steep uphill, and park at the lot with the gate. Before heading out, be sure to pay the $5 parking fee which is checked regularly.
Take the Saddle Trail up for best access to all the crags except the Lower Ridge Trail Slab & Mixed Messages Crag.
Note 2: there is NO camping allowed above 2800' - below that is allowed with a backcountry permit issued by the Park Service. No water is available anywhere near the last 1.5 miles of either the Saddle or the Ridge Trails.
Latitude, Longitude: 38.55180, -78.31440
Access Issues: Please try to stay on established trails as much as possible to avoid the destruction of delicate plant species. Also be sure to adopt a leave no trace ethic while visiting this beautiful place.
Camping:
When to Climb: Autumn
Quantity of Climbs: Year

Topo Images

No route specified

Most Recent Photos (See all 29 photos)

No route specified No route specified Oh My God Dihedral
Loki
Dobie Gillis

Forum Discussions (See all 21 posts )

  Subject Author Replies Last Post
No Replies Old Rag Saturday? dreday3000 0 Apr 12 2013, 4:20 PM
With Replies Gear chewed up on overnight camping/climbing trip jowybyo 19 Feb 05 2013, 7:20 PM
No Replies Summit Wall, Dead Tree Crag open again virginiapine 0 May 27 2011, 2:07 PM
With Replies Sunset Walls on Old Rag Mtn closed until mid-June 2010 virginiapine 1 May 02 2010, 6:52 PM
With Replies Heading to Old Rag Sunday, Quickest Approach? currupt4130 5 Nov 05 2009, 5:23 AM
With Replies Who ever built the death trap with the red webbing... notapplicable 18 Nov 03 2009, 6:38 PM
With Replies Guidebook for Old Rag davidbr 5 Sep 24 2009, 3:00 PM
With Replies Old Rag Virgin ticebf 38 Oct 02 2009, 11:34 PM
No Replies Old rag rappell spots. snitwongse_j 0 Mar 24 2009, 7:55 PM
With Replies Virgin Voyage GhandiOwnsYou 1 Jun 04 2008, 9:54 PM
With Replies Top Rope SKICK2289 1 Feb 22 2008, 3:52 PM
No Replies New section (& links to topos) on Old Rag virginiapine 0 Jul 30 2007, 3:50 PM
With Replies Possible Old Rag Trip KTP 3 May 09 2007, 2:23 PM
With Replies Old Rag VA BuLLS*** nnowinowski 18 Feb 08 2012, 4:07 PM
No Replies I'm out there most weekends other than midsummer virginiapine 0 Nov 22 2006, 5:25 PM