How To Plan

When starting to plan any climbing activity it’s crucial to considered everyone’s climbing and hiking ability before choosing what crag to climb. I use the mountain project app to get a general idea of which area I’m going to and then I read more about the climbs in the, New River Rock climbing books (I have both volumes). I don’t mind long approaches but some people might be gassed from the hike into the rock base (aka the approach) and then not be able to or want to climb. If you want to make the experience enjoyable for everyone this is definitely something to consider and discuss with your group.

Apart, from picking where to go you also should consider the weather. There are some very exposed place with little shade that can get very hot during the summer (example: Orange Oswald). If you know it’s going to rain you might want to look consider places with big cliffs / overhangs that would protect you and your gear for the elements.

What to Pack

Everyone will have their own must haves when camping but some pretty common items I like to bring are the following:

Try Something New

If you're new to the camping scene I’d say the biggest lifesaver for me was a sleeping pad. Or if you’re going to hammock you’d want some sort of under quilt. I was SHOCKED by how cool it got at night and how quickly all the heat escapes from under you. Trust me that’s the one camping trick I learned quickly and won’t forget!

My Trip!

I just got back from the NRG and had an incredible time! We took someone who’d never been before and he set his first 5.9 outdoors! 🥳 So it was a very eventful trip! We camped at the AAC campgrounds and I can’t say enough good things about them. The campsite is extremely clean and everyone I’ve met there has been extremely friendly. The campsite has clear checkin / checkout instructions and they are quick to respond if you email them a question.

We reached the campsite late Friday night and pretty much just went to bed (shout-out to our friends who got there early and set up our hammocks).

Day one 

• Wake up(around 6:30) ate a quick breakfast and headed out for bubba city.

• Parked at Bubba City Parking lot started out for Ames wall expecting a 30ish min walk ……it took us closer to 50, but we didn’t know where we were going haha so gonna blame it on that.

• My group orientated ourselves by finding climb 11, Let Them Eat Pancake, but we started off on climbs 7 (Czech Vacation) and 8 (Fiesta Verde). We Also climbed Smoking Crack, Southern Xposure and finally Let Them East Pancake.

• Lunch at some point / Continue to climb

• Around 5PM we packed up and started back towards the car.

Day 2 

• Woke up and got coffee in Fayetteville WV

• Parked at Good Luck Cemetery parking and headed for Tattoo Wall. The trail is clearly marked and stayed true to the guide book with about a 25ish min walk from the car.

• We set up 2 routes; the iconic Geisha girl (5.8) and Bobby D’Bunny (5.6).

• Head out around 12:30 and stop at Pies and Pints for lunch and it’s soooo good and just a fun little thing we do going over all the fun things we did.