Seneca Rocks, WV
LOCATION
experience level
Top rope climbing and belay experience required
Spend a full week climbing, camping, and developing confidence and leadership skills outdoors in unplugged, rustic Seneca Rocks, WV—the tallest peak on the East Coast only accessible through technical climbing. Unique fins of Tuscarora quartzite tower over a confluence of two rivers, offering spectacular multi-pitch climbing and breathtaking exposure that have called to climbers from all over the world since the 1940s.
An action-packed seven days include plenty of time on the rock in single- and multi-pitch climbs, with technical instruction including gear, movement, and self-rescue skills; as well as swimming and fishing in local rivers; exploring local caves and via ferrata systems; and camp cooking and backcountry skills—but the lasting takeaways include learning to communicate with a partner, assessing risk and solving problems in wild country, and taking on leadership roles within a group.
Tuition includes all climbing and camping equipment (except personal sleeping gear) as well as meals and group camping on-site at Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides Base Camp. High guide-to-camper ratios ensure each camper receives personal attention and achieves success on challenges tailored to their ability levels. Our expert guides are the area's most experienced and trusted certified professionals, with unique local knowledge and industry-leading safety standards and records.
you'll learn
- Single- and multi-pitch climbing instruction and coaching with certified guides
- Trad following and leading practice
- Self-rescue seminars and practice
- Camp cooking and backcountry skills
- Teamwork, communication, and partnership skills
- Risk assessment, group management, and problem-solving skills
- Leadership development
what's included
- Personal climbing gear if needed (harness, helmet, shoes, belay device)
- All group climbing gear
- All group camping gear (personal/sleeping gear not included)
- Small-group guided climbing with the region's most trusted guides
- Creekside camping at SRMG base camp
- Group meals
CURRENT DATES
- 2022 dates coming soon
policies
ET Members and returning students—please email us at srmgpotomac@gmail.com first for your discount code!
COVID-19: We’ve been working closely with the Parks Service to ensure responsible recreation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re keeping classes small, limiting shared gear and touch points and increasing sanitation on those that are impossible to avoid, encouraging social distancing, and requiring masks when social distancing is impossible. Please do not come to class if you have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and/or if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, cough/sore throat, shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell; contact us and we’ll work it out.
RAIN AND CANCELLATION POLICY: Outdoor courses are held rain or shine; instructors make the final judgement on whether the weather makes it impossible to continue. As a general rule, weather moves quickly in our region, our rock type dries quickly, and climbing in light rain is both possible and fun--as long as you bring the right attitude and a rain jacket. We will notify you ahead of time if an extended bad weather forecast makes rescheduling likely, and we will pause courses in progress for thunder and lighting or for excessive heat (over 100 degrees). Rescheduled courses and classes rained out before 1pm will receive a rain check. Otherwise, come prepared to climb and enjoy the outdoors.
Courses are non-refundable within 15 days of class date unless cancelled by SRMG East for weather or not meeting minimum enrollments.