Rock Ascension at Rivanna Wall: Girls Run the World Edition

OVERVIEW

Hello and greetings to all the lil senders across the lands! Spring is here which means dry and warm rocks for climbing which means we are getting after it this Sunday which means you should come join us and learn all you can about sport climbing and top-roping outside 🙂 (or teach us some new stuff). With COVID-19 restrictions we have one option to access the world of sport climbing and general vertical rope ascension on rocks: Rivanna Wall.

What’s Rivanna Wall? This super special ODC secret that lies just North of town where the railroad reaches the river. It’s an old railway trestle that boasts a “seemingly hard 5.8 route” (quote from Sam Clinard aka guru of all things rock related in cville) and an additional set of anchors we can set a top-rope on. While it’s not the best rock the East Coast has to offer, it is an INCREDIBLE place to learn about sport climbing, belaying, knot tying, and much more. It also it right by the river so we can do a lil polar plunge shake out our spaghetti arms after a couple hours of climbing.

SO, Eliza and Anna, what’s the plan and why is this girl’s run the world edition??
1) Since it’s Women’s history month and females are the bomb.com, we are going to prioritize those who identify as females off the waitlist first. We also just got dope new pink quickdraws so we can embrace all aspects of our female existence and avoid touching blue or orange *man* quickdraws (bleh).
2) Here’s the plan!
9:00 am: meet at shred shack w all necessary climbing gear and grab bikes to start trek across town
9:15 am: head out of shrack w packs loaded
10:15 am: arrive via bike at Rivanna Wall trailhead – the bike ride is 6.8 miles long and is a combo of path and road riding (we will go nice and slow and be very safe!). Google maps says it should be a 38 min ride, but I will give us an hour to allow for any issues.
10:35 am: hike the short approach along railroad tracks to the wall and river
10:45 am: climb, learn to belay, talk about climbing, learn to lead climb, be empowered within rocks!
1:15 pm: pack up and head back to shred shack and grounds – we will try to be back around 2:30 or 2:45 but it may be a little before or a little after!

This is a beginner climbing trip! We are stoked to teach and also learn from anyone who has experience! Although, you do not need climbing experience to come on this trip, we do ask that you be prepared to ride your bike for at least 15 miles and have the fitness to climb in between biking segments.

What you bring:
Climbing shoes (your own or from gear room), climbing harness (your own or from gear room), snacks or lunch, water, bike helmet (if you have it), bike (if you have it), strong fingers, mask-o!, a towel if you want to swim, sunscreen??, normal things you need to feel comfortable outside being active for 5ish hours

What we bring:
2 ropes, quickdraws n belay devices n such, bikes and helmets for those that need them, speaker for music!, our knowledge of rocks, masks!, big smiles