TRANSITIONS 3! Outdoor Climbing @ The Manchester Wall & Belle Isle

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/7/4/4/event_262791012.jpeg

As always if the weather forecast over 50% precipitation on the day of the event it will be moved to a future date. Any questions feel free to email liger woods on meetup.

This event is for experienced rock climbers with all the proper working gear. (Ex.) Climbing rope, biners, climbing harness, climbing shoes, quick draws, belay device etc. We will have at least two top rope setups going at the same time.

Directions: Take Semmes Avenue to 7th street . You will pass Legends Brewery. Take a left onto Perry street (it's a steep hill). At the bottom of the hill, take a left and drive through the train company parking lot. You will pass many "no tresspassing" signs ( I've been many times with no problems. Just keep moving). Cross over the train tracks. Drive until you get to the trees and veer right onto a dirt road. It will lead you to a gravel parking lot. The lot is maintained by the James River Park service (you will see the wall from here). Walk onto the elevated gravel road adjacent to the parking lot. Turn left and walk until you see a sign about the risks of rock climbing. Walk down the path next to this sign and it will lead you to the wall.

Level : Experienced Intermediate

Fee : None

Description: Manchester Wall, located in downtown Richmond, Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia), U.S.A. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.A.), is one of central Virginia's premier rock climbing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_climbing) areas, offering multiple routes for trad climbing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trad_climbing), sport climbing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_climbing), and top roping (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_roping). The sixty-foot granite wall is a remnant of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_and_Petersburg_Railroad_Bridge) which spanned the James River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_River_%28Virginia%29) for much of the nineteenth century. The routes offered at Manchester Wall, and its 3 adjacent pillars, are superb for recreational and experienced climbers alike.

Manchester has a total of 43 routes, ranging from the difficulty of 5.4 to 5.11a, most averaging around 5.9. Cut granite is quarried from Belle Isle. Stone blocks vary from 2'x4' to 3'x6'. Very edgy, straight vertical wall, 60' at highest point. 150'wide at base. Several buttresses out in the James River have established routes. All Sport (lead climb), some cracks take gear if you want practice on placements. Easy to set top ropes on main wall.

The climb adventure will continue to belle isle by way of the tredegar parking lot & a 20 min. walking approach to the wall.

Description: Belle Isle a 54-acre island of the James River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_River_%28Virginia%29) in the city of Richmond, Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia). Once home to a nail works & granite quarry. Granite quarries used in 1800's to build many buildings around Richmond. Mostly Top Rope but there are some bolted routes established as well. Top of cliffs accessible by scrambling up left or right side of of cliffs on either side of pond. hairy descent from trail to anchors, so be careful when setting up your system... no climbs over 30-35'. Grades vary.

Click below to study & print the manchester wall climbing guide (PDF)

http://mgreeby.home.mindspring.com/Climbing_Guides/Manchester_Bridge_Climbing_Guide.pdf

WHAT TO WEAR: In general wear comfy, loose fitting clothing that does not restrict your movement.

FOOTWEAR: Climbing Specific Shoes required & comfortable approach & or hiking shoes

BRING WITH YOU: Climbing rope, biners, climbing harness, climbing shoes, quick draws, belay device etc., Lots of hydration , snacks, CAMERA , some kind of DEET or OFF bugspray!