The New River Gorge, slicing 60 miles across southern West Virginia, is one of the best rock climbing venues in the USA. Along the forested rim of the Gorge stretch miles and miles of cliffs composed of a hard sandstone, which offer vertical joy to lots of climbers.
The Gorge, managed by the National Park Service as New River Gorge National River offers not only excellent climbing, but also lies within a day of most major cities in the eastern US. The cliffs yield lots of great bolted sport climbs and stellar jam cracks at sectors including Endless Wall, Kaymoor, Bubba City, and the popular Bridge Area. Farther north lies Summerville Lake. Its marbled cliffs, laced with sport routes, rise out of the placid reservoir. After a week of climbing here, with sore hands and wide grins, you will understand the meaning of the state motto: Montani semper liberi. Mountaineers are always free.
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