from left: crazylikeafawkes, costellobr, climbinganne, cass, ashley, jessus, loki, howitzer and katydid.

betaben, climbinganne, coach and howtitzer...before the whipped cream battle. we were toasting our friend erica44

There was a crap load of us up there on that muddy mountain in the middle of march. 69 rc.com members gathered in all those 11 days.

Coach belaying Howizer while there was still snow on the ground at the NRP gathering. April 2003.

Howitzer (Abi) being belayed by coach at Nelson Rocks during the April 2003 gathering.

chalkdusttorture (Mark) on the left and climbinganne on teh right

This is Gail finishing the via ferrata as the sun sinks low. We did the route front to back, then in reverse!It was the best!!!

Here is gblauer at the top of the fin.If I could take a guess,, she is having a very good time.

Here is something only the very few that climb will be able to see firsthand. At a spot only a minute fraction of the population will ever step foot, this is what you are treated to.

Here I am on the bridge on the via ferrata, with no hands on the cable rails.What an absolute good time!! Picture by:Tim Miller

This shot shows just how very large and domineering the fins at NRP are. They get bigger the higher you are.A true marvel. Picture by:Tim Miller

This was taken on sunday. Lots of people in and out over the weekend. I would have to say about 40.

It was 60 in the sun on the east fin saturday morning. Here is Brian(NRP employee) climbing a 5.10a that Dr. Pete and I both lead afterwards. Pete said he hadnt free climbed since last year. We both grabbed the last draw at the end. Caving in the winter does NOT keep me in shape at all.

This is almost at the start of the Via Ferrat line. I highly recommnd it to anyone. Very safe if done correctly.

djmclimber is trying to defeat gravity and a tight squeeze. Sticking out your tongue always helps.

Me and pete on top of the last pitch of Millenium. This is the longest climb in WVa, a 9 pitch 1000ft climb that goes at 5.8 I think.

Dr. Piton is leading the last pitch of Millenium. The longest climb in WVa. 1000ft with traverses @ 5.8

photo taken by howitzer...In early November, anne getting ready to do stu's climbing thang, the Via Ferrata, at Nelson Rocks Preserve, in West Virginia.

Not sure what wall this is on, but it's over by the very beginning start of the via ferratta.

Here is the gap that you step through to get from one side of the fin,to the other side.As with the rest of the route,this is a spectacular moment on the Via Ferrata.

Here I am at the top of the Via Ferrata.If you look below my elbow,you can see the bridge WAY down below me.The exposure is excellent.I just can't say enough about the area.

This is what the rungs and cable look like that are the basis for the course that is called "Via Ferrata".You are clipped in at least at once at all times.

This is a picture of the bridge.230 feet long and 150 feet high.You step to the edge and just lose your breath.This is a point in the course that you feel the adrenalin really kicking in!

Here is a shot of the bridge from on top of the fin.Do you think this is a little high?The exposure is just awesome!

This is what you see from the top of the Via Ferrata,at many spots along the way.The veiw is one you simply must capture on film,or, in a binary code.