Join PATC-MS on October 27 to 29 for a weekend of camping and sport climbing at Elizabeth Furnace near Front Royal, VA.

We will have the option to climb at two crags over the weekend. Buzzard Rocks is a beginner-friendly west facing crag known for its run-out sport and trad routes on grippy slab with beautiful views of the valley below. Talking Headwall is a smaller, more secluded crag next to the road with roofs and overhanging terrain and is not as beginner friendly.

Buzzard Rocks: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/106152557/buzzard-rocks

Talking Headwall: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/106152562/talking-headwall

Please make travel plans prior to the trip. This is not an instructional clinic/event.

The trip is limited to PATC-MS members only and is capped at 14 climbers. For Buzzards, there is a two-mile steep uphill hike to the crag so dress appropriately and bring plenty of food and water for the day. Hiking poles are optional, but nice to have for the hike.

Climbers should also bring their own personal climbing gear (harness, helmet, shoes, chalk bag, and belay device), 8-10 quick draws, a 70m-80m rope (for Buzzard Rocks), and a trad rack if they are interested in routes that require placing gear. For Talking Headwall, a 60m rope is adequate.

Group campsite A has been reserved at Elizabeth Furnace campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233176. PATC-MS will be covering the campsite cost.

Elizabeth Furnace is a pack-in, pack-out site. There are picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, vault toilets, and no on-site water hookup.  Please bring: garbage bags, water for the entire weekend, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, clothes, toiletries, food/snacks, and other camping gear as needed. The nearest showers and water pumps are at the Elizabeth Furnace Family campground a half mile down the road.

Please note that this is not a guided event and none of our trip leaders are professional guides. You will be climbing on ropes set up by members of the club who are hobby climbers and not professionals. Climbing is an inherently dangerous sport and you do so at your own risk. You are responsible for yourself and your own safety at all times.

If you need to cancel your reservation, go back to the event page, log in, and scroll down to the RSVP portion. Click the red “view your RSVP” text and it will take you to another page where you can change your RSVP from “going” to “not going”.