Old Rag Mountain
Climbing Sections:
- Byrd's Nest (2)
- Coffee Wall (0)
- Eagles Gift Slab (4)
- Get That Cat Off My Leg Wall (0)
- God Crag (15) new
- Jabba the Hut (5)
- Lower Ridge Trail Slab (2)
- PATC Wall (aka Skyline Wall) (20)
- Summit Boulders (1)
- Summit Wall (9)
- Sunset Walls (28)
- Sunshine Boulders (2)
- The Reflector Oven (32)
- Trailside Boulders (5)
- Upper Hidden Crag (0)
- Wall That Dreams Are Made Of (6)
- Whale's Lip (8)
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, Seldom Seen, 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.(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 |
| Books: | 1. Rock & Ice Mini-guide, 1991, by Darell Hensley 2. Rock Climbing - Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland by Eric J. Horst |
| Click the Update links above to provide data for any blank field of this Area. To modify existing fields, send an Editor Note. | |
Forum Discussions (12)
| Subject | Author | Replies | Last Post | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Virgin Voyage | GhandiOwnsYou | 1 | Jun 04, 5:54 PM |
|
Top Rope | SKICK2289 | 1 | Feb 22, 10:52 AM |
 |
New section (& links to topos) on Old Rag | virginiapine | 0 | Jul 30, 11:50 AM |
|
Possible Old Rag Trip | KTP | 3 | May 09, 10:23 AM |
|
Old Rag VA BuLLS*** | nnowinowski | 16 | Jul 16, 3:45 PM |
| |
I'm out there most weekends other than midsummer | virginiapine | 0 | Nov 22, 12:25 PM |
|
Old Rag Revitalized | braaaaaaaadley | 20 | Jul 09, 4:48 PM |
|
TR: Old Rag, VA - late summer bushwhack | cadaverchris | 1 | Aug 21, 6:43 PM |
|
Sunset Walls | timberwolf | 2 | Oct 01, 10:14 AM |
|
Bolting Old Rag Mtn | kreml | 6 | Sep 26, 11:36 PM |
|
Bouldering at Old Rag -- Please Help ASAP | jkarns | 3 | Jan 07, 4:26 PM |
|
Old Rag, VA -- Berry hollow Aproach blocked 9/26/03 | ropeburn | 1 | Nov 02, 4:42 PM |
