Enthusiasts of nature, lovers of life, dirtbags, rats, and slugs: this is what you’ve been waiting for all semester. Behold, the most epic, only ONCE in a pretty regularly-timed revolution of the earth around the sun GNAR JOURNEY. We’re awakening from our East Coast hibernation, crawling out of our dens, overstuffing cars with loose bagels, and migrating to the ultimate …
NEW RIVER GORGE CLIMB TRAD CLIMB NEW RIVER GORGE SOME SPORT SOME RAIN TRAD CLIMB NEW RIVER GORGE the plan: 7am – car drive car drive time to drive car drive car drive 10am – climb climb climb climb climb climb 11pm – we are almost done climbing 4am – restful sleep awaits us 6am – time to climb 5pm …
Hello all, Fall means one thing only in my mind; its finally bouldering season! I have never been to the ridgeline before and want to go. There is a mix of grades, but I would be able to project a V5 on this trip. I may be trying some harder stuff I have yet to decide. There is a small …
The smoothest trails you’ve ever ridden await you at Biscuit Run. These trails are absolutely BONKERS and we want YOU to join Susannah and George in venturing to Biscuit Run on mountain bikes this Friday!!! We’ll cover about 18 miles or so on trails and roads, galavanting past Wegmans and the Rivanna on the way. This trip is for intermediate …
We are going to eat peas at Seneca Rocks and also climb. We love to eat peas, but climbing is also fun. There is a small man in the engine of John’s car and his pedaling will allow us to get all the way to Seneca Rocks. His name is Benson. Say “thanks benson!” You need to know how to …
*Note: This will be my first run of this specific trail. Hi All! What better way to spend your Sunday than day hiking a trail commonly done over 2 days? This is a 14.8-mile loop with 3,900 ft of elevation gain, so it will be VERY exhausting. This trail is renowned for its Appalachian Trail vistas and waterfalls along the …
Summiting Old Rag is practically the single standing pillar holding up Virginian hiking. Nothing else in this state compares, Western mountaineers laugh when they see something labelled less than a “14er” but I laugh back watching them melt into jello anytime they step into east coast humidity. Now that the heat is gone, the revelation was whispered to me in …
So it’s been almost three months since I’ve been here, and I’ve yet to take a trip into the main part of the Shenandoah National Park. This trip seeks to remedy this large pitfall of my fall planning. A newfound desire to get outside and enjoy the sunlight in these colder and shorter days has me wanting to spend the …
So you’ve held a rock before. Maybe you’ve even rock climbed before. You’re not enticed enough to start licking rocks so you’re not a geology major, but that lingering feeling that you need to go hands on with your hike is shining through your heart and today might just be the first time you’re hearing about the grandpa of all …
We’re heading to Lowmoor Mine and Cave for an epic cave photography adventure! Originally an iron mine (1875–1898), Lowmoor later connected with a natural cave system, creating a massive underground network with 60-foot-wide passageways and ceilings up to 80 feet high. It’s one of the most beautiful caves we visit, featuring everything from striking formations to cave pearls—plus plenty of …
Backpacking yay! The trip is intermediate but if the milage looks doable you should sign up. We will accommodate paces and this is a first for me too. Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/virginias-triple-crown-loop General plan: https://intothebackcountryguides.com/trail-guides/virginias-triple-crown-loop-backpacking-guide?srsltid=AfmBOorq4_o4iRPl2UoMvxrrDoPFHMldxaX9LWtor-4c_lO1KScQpwDB SCHEDULE 11/14 Friday 1:30 am – Driver(s) starts picking up people 3:30pm – Arrive at McAfee Knob Parking 3:30-before sunset- Hike ~5 miles and set up camp …
It has been an astonishing four weeks since I last visited West Virginia, this is unacceptable. For this Election Day, we’ll be paddling the Upper and Lower sections of the New River. Unfortunately, the Cunard put-in is closed because a landslide wiped out part of the road, but the Upper will be chill and a pretty fun warm-up. Check out …
I haven’t been to Monticello in quite a while, so I figured election day is prime time to do so. In the spirit of the founding fathers, I’ve decided to ditch cars and walk there the old fashioned way. Every UVA student gets free admission as long as you have your id, so there’s no cost to go. I will …
“Bolivia’s Andean region is one of the world’s great trekking destinations. Largely undiscovered by foreign hikers, it offers some of the most unspoilt and captivating routes in the Andes … Bolivia is a country blessed with stunning mountain scenery, remote wilderness areas, and a thriving indigenous culture. It is often referred to as the ‘Tibet of the Americas’, due to …
This weekend we shall venture to the SENECA ROCKS in search of chill vibes and rock ascension. We are contemplating a day of sport and a day of trad, though we can go based on vibes and also mix and match. You should know how to put up routes/clean / we can take 1 or 2 people willing to learn. …
This Friday we hope to send Happy Cracks (5.8) at Wintergreen on gear. We will do a few laps on top-rope first and practice gear placements on the route. Even if you haven’t climbed trad before you are welcome to try shoving some metal in the rock while resting assured knowing you are on top-rope – it is a great …
Hi guys! I don’t know about you but this Election Day break is definitely the perfect time for a looooong and (somewhat) relaxing activity like hiking old rag! Not going to sugar coat it, this hike is definitely on the harder side of hikes I’ve done, but it is the most rewarding and by far my favorite hike! It’s an …
Have you been caving before? Have you thought to yourself, ‘I need to have more of this in my life’? Are you interested in leading trips to any cave that suits your fancy? This is the trip for you. We are going to Paxton’s, a maze cave, where we are going to practice navigating, flagging, and leading trips. This is …
Strep got the best of me last time, and I had to cancel, so I’m trying again! I’m labeling this as beginner/intermediate because I am not going to go over the absolute basics of biking, but Heyward isn’t too technical and is pretty beginner friendly . Basically, if you’ve mountain biked before you should be good, but mountain biking can …
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SUNSETTT No reeeegrets, first chance, last dance, caught in the middleeee… Noticed those trees out there? Making like chameleons and changing color like crazy? Wanna see them? They’re super cool and what better way to complement the rusty and warm colored foliage than with some golden light provided by the milkyway’s celebrity: our sun? Basically, we gonna scram, possibly skedaddle …
Do you want to have the best Thursday afternoon of your life? Do you like hitting some saucy sends on a bike? Join me and George in venturing to Biscuit Run on mountain bikes this Thursday!!! We’ll cover about 18 miles or so on trails, perhaps journeying through O Hill and the Rivanna Trail on the way. This trip is …
It’s a rare opportunity to bike with alums. You might be thinking, that sounds like a washed-up unc-status ride (is that what the kids are saying these days?). And that’s probably not a bad description. But between getting our toes nibbled by marmots while cowboy camping, romping around in Alaska, and starting a day job babysitting humanoid robots in onesies, …
Hey all. Over fall break, I went fishing with a friend on the Rose River and discovered an awesome spot for cliff jumping. Since it’s supposed to be in the 70s and sunny on Saturday, I figured I’d lead a trip there! Hike length: about 5 miles on trail, and a fairly short (but strenuous) bushwhack Trip Itinerary: Meet at …
Okay so I told several people I’d make a mountain biking trip for the week after break and then I proceeded to completely forget to sooo here’s one for the next week 🙂 I’m labeling this as beginner/intermediate because I am not going to go over the absolute basics of biking, but Heyward isn’t too technical and is pretty beginner …
WOWZAH! Are you yearning for adventure on a Wednesday afternoon? Join Gillian and me in our second SUP escape before the water gets cold! If you have no paddleboarding experience, don’t worry, none is needed! As long as you can swim, you’ll get the hang of things. We’ll go on an awesome, amazing, fire afternoon paddle sesh at Beaver Reservoir. …
In High School, one of my teachers used to lead bird banding trips quite often, and he invited me to bring a small group of people to go bird banding with him at his property in the Middle Peninsula of VA… So let’s go bird banding!! This trip requires an early wake up, as we will be leaving at 5:30AM …
We really want to exploit the ODC trad rack this weekend and take a gander at bridge butt this sunday after NRGE. We just want to use the trad rack really. We love the way the smooth aluminum alloys clang and clatter against our legs as they suspend from the harness loops. It makes one feel alive and that life …
OK I have plans the weekend of fall break but not on Monday or Tuesday so I decided I wanted to lead a quick little backpacking trip before we all have to get back to classes The plan is a one-night backpacking trip around Grayson Highlands in Southwest Virginia, the highest mountains in VA, which also happen to have wild …
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hey yall! I have absolutely fallen in love with kayaking this semester and would love to spend fall break in the water! Charlotte isn’t too far from here and it has an epic thing called a Whitewater Center which is man made rapids and looks hella sick. We will be on the water all weekend whether it’s flat water or …
What are YOU doing for fall break?? Neglect your family, they still love you. CLIMB!!! I love my momma as much as the next guy, but it is time to leave the nest, and build a new one in the lovely Corbin sandstone. It simply sucks the moisture out of your fingers. This is a good thing trust, the rock …
Hey yall! Since there is SUCH demand for caving (yesyesyes join the underground gremlin cult hehehehe), I wanted to start including ODC folks in community caving events as well. This weekend is VAR, a super fun caving event where all Virginia cavers get together and cave (and other shenanigans ofc)! It is SO fun, and we get to experience more …
Join us for a scenic hike to South River Falls, one of Shenandoah’s most beautiful waterfalls! This 3.3-mile loop takes us through shady forests, past a stone overlook, and all the way down to the base of the 83-foot waterfall, where we’ll take time to rest, enjoy the scenery, and soak in the view before climbing back up. We’ll plan …
Have you ever been on a road bike and thought: “wow, these tires are too small”? How about a mountain bike thinking: “wow, this really hurts my arms”? Well do we have the trip for you. Meet gravel biking, where all of your bike dreams come true. This one entails a mix of 60% pavement and 40% gravel, mostly hard …
last year, I woke up sick on the day of NRGE. as it turns out, walking pneumonia is a very tough customer, and I unfortunately had to miss the hike I was supposed to colead. It was very sad. But now, I get a chance for a little redemption tour, since the trails are still there and waiting for us! …
HELLO NRGE SHREDDERS I am very excited to invite you to come ride bikes with me on what will be a beautiful Saturday in the lovely Wolf Creek Park. Since this trip is intermediate, I will not be going over the basics of mountain biking. This trip is targeted for people who have been on around at least 2-3 trips …
Leaves are changing and so are we… into vests and skirts to go kayaking!!!! This trip to the James is intended mainly for intermediate-level paddlers who have paddled whitewater (such as the upper James) before or attended some pool sessions, if you’re unsure about whether this trip is for you, feel free to ask. We will be doing the lower …
Have you ever thought about hiking the Appalachian trail? Well have I got great news for you! I’m going to attempt to finish the Virginia section this school year and I want you to join!! As of now I have hiked about 75 miles of the 544 in the Virginia section of the trail, and this trip will add another …
My dearest NRGE shredlings, **PLEASE REFER TO THE NRGE CLUB EMAIL (sent 9/15) AND READ THIS ENTIRE DESCRIPTION. THEN, FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS** This is NOT an actual NRGE adventure. This is the CARPOOL for NRGE. This is how the officers will keep track of drivers and attendees. So make our lives easier and follow instructions, please. DO NOT SIGN UP …
Heyaaa!!! Come mountain biking with me next Thursday afternoon in Heyward Community Forest! This trip is for intermediate mountain bikers so the prerequisites are that you have been on at least ~3 beginner mountain biking trips and feel ready to level up a bit OR are already a relatively experienced mountain biker. Heyward community forest is quite lovely and has …
not going to Gauley Fest? Neither is yours truly – but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun of our own. I haven’t done a Shenandoah hike yet this semester and with a park pass that’s gonna expire soon that needs to change. I really like the view from Hightop and the hike there is pretty straightforward, at 3.5 …
Hi All! What better way to spend your Sunday than hiking Riprap at Shenandoah? This is a 10-mile loop with 2,100 ft of elevation, so it will be exhausting, but totally doable and worth the views during the fall season. The trees are a beautiful shade of red and orange during this time of the year. The hike should take …
The weather’s been absolutely wonderful outside, so what better way to spend Sunday than going on a Old Rag day hike! Join me and Finn on Shenandoah’s most famous summit for some great views over the park. This is an intermediate hike, it’ll be a ~9-10ish mile loop with a bit of rock scrambling required, so some hiking experience is …
* To join this trip you need to be off the waitlist for both a saturday official Gauley fest trip and the main carpool * GAULEY FEST IS UPON US. I AM SO EXCITED I CAN’T EVEN EXPLAIN. so yeah we’re going to go up a wee bit early (7 or 8am…) and climb all day at THE NEW. Where? …
Come touch granite with me and Colin Wednesday afternoon. Wintergreen is a nice little trad crag about an hour from cville with some great top-rope opportunities. IMO you get one of the best views in Virginia here when you get above the trees. Depending on group vibes, there are some easy cruisers, some moderate cracks, and some high 5.10-5.11 facey …
It’s that wonderful time of year again! We’re headed out to the Gauley River in West Virginia to do some of the best freaking rafting in the entire US! PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE DESCRIPTION THIS TRIP IS FOR: People who have rafted or otherwise paddled class IV+ rapids People who are extremely strong swimmers This trip is listed as intermediate …
Third year of the best trip of the year. GAULEY FREAKING FEST! This is going to be a dope and unique weekend trip that ranges from beginners (beginners to just being outside even– you don’t have to know anything!!) to intermediate/advanced whitewater folks, hikers, and climbers!!!!! – Logistics are a lil complicated so read this whole thing plz! Since 1983, …
HOWDY SHREDDERSs!! If you haven’t heard already, the Loop de’Ville is upon us. Loop de’Ville is a town-wide celebration of our lovely Rivanna Trail, who lovingly circles the city. This is a FREE, supported trail event where people can walk/run/bike to their heart’s content (we will be walking). There is also a free concert with drinks and food after the …
Dearest ODC Members, I bring harrowing news… Old Rag hasn’t seen our faces in a long time and is beginning to doubt our mountain-conquering prowess. Already it slanders ODC, questioning if all our clout is to be believed and trusted – I hear the trees are beginning to listen. We face at this very moment a journey of extreme peril …
Let’s enjoy the warm and sunny end-of-summer Virginia weather in the best way possible this Sunday: ON THE JAMES. This trip to the James is intended for intermediate-level paddlers who have paddled whitewater before or attended some pool sessions. We will be doing the lower section (Reedy Creek to the 14th St. takeout, which is full of fun class II-III …
I don’t know about you, but every time I’ve gone to the Rivanna, I’ve gone, “WOW, this would be so fun to paddleboard!” I finally did it for the first time this spring, and let me tell ya, I was right. SOOO join me (Sarah) and Katie for an epic day of SUPing this Saturday!! Together, we’ll check out a …