Virginia Climber's Guide [Paperback]

Jeff Watson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

200 line drawings 5 x 8 The first comprehensive guide to climbing and bouldering in Virginia Detailed schematic drawings of more than 30 sites Virginia features some of the more popular rock climbing sites on the East Coast, including Great Falls of the Potomac and Crescent Rocks, but its lesser-known areas also offer a wide variety of challenging climbs. Here for the first time is a complete guide to the entire state. This compact guidebook is packed with information: Schematic line drawings present clear, precise guides to each climb, from the myriad routes at Great Falls to small rockfaces the locals love. Multiple routes are shown for each site, graded for difficulty using the Yosemite Decimal Scale. The book also contains specific information on park fees and regulations, the best time to go, and any special equipment or permits required. Jeff Watson is a native Virginian, avid mountaineer, and 17-year veteran of rock climbing. He lives in Burke, Virginia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811729818
• ISBN-13: 978-0811729819
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,265,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Virginia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good start on the road to a Great guide., November 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Virginia Climber's Guide (Paperback)

Is this book a masterpiece that is a must have? No. Is it a good guide that give the more adventurous climber some places to climb out of path of thousands of weekend climbers flooding from the gyms with their special chalk and fancy lycra tights? Yes. Watson did not include photos and topos, or detail every step of the way from armchair to crag. His drawings are basic, but with just a little patience they are understandable. I am not suprised that some climbers are not happy with this book. People these days expext to drive to the trailhead and walk to the climb with a guide held up to their nose the whole way. I for one have visited several of the sites listed in the book. Sites I didn't know existed as well as sites I had visited before only because I had heard a rumor about it, which was the only way to find most of these sites, and as anyone who has ever asked a Pennsylvanian climber about their favorite spot knows, locals usually don't talk. I enjoyed many of the areas in this book. There may have only been two unrated climbs worth climbing after a half day of hiking, but I don't mind that, that is what climbing is for me. Anyone can pick up the new Great Falls guide and follow it's anal retentive path pictures to the 5.10b climb they read about last night so that they can wait for Inner Quest or some other guided group with twenty reborn Bill Gates look alikes to take down their ropes that have been there unclimbed all day. This book is for climbers who aren't afraid of a four mile approach, bees nests, or the dark. Enough ranting and raving. I liked the book. Mr. Watson if you read this, Thank You. If you come out with another book check out the extreme southwest of VA there is some great climbing there. Also the base of the top section on olr rag next to some bolted sport routes is a good roof to practice aiding if one was to CARRY their rack up there. The bottom line -- the information you need to climb in the best areas in Virginia is in this book. If no topos and photos makes you mad, good, climb at Carder rock then and leave the wild places for me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless as a climbing guide, April 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Virginia Climber's Guide (Paperback)

The author clearly spent a lot of time driving and hiking around VA, but the actual climbing content is basically useless. For example, the Old Rag information is impossible to decipher. Crag photos and overview topo are a must in a climbers' guidebook, but there is not a single photo in the book. I think the publisher is to blame for printing an "unfinished" book. Certainly NOT worth $22...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't Buy this book, February 29, 2000

By 

Mark (Richmond, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Virginia Climber's Guide (Paperback)

This book is only useful for pointing someone in the direction of rock to climb on, BUT this guide is basically useless. Several of the areas that I know well are very poorly described and even contain errors.