Looks like another outstanding spot in the East...with some excellent photos to boot! I hadn't heard of Seneca Rocks, so thanks for posting. Probably a little tough for my tastes (other than the north summit) but it does look like there is some good scrambling opportunites that could make for a fun day.
There is still lots of good scrambling lower on the rocks that gets you intimate with the place without getting into serious exposure. It's definitely worth a trip even if you only do the north peak.
When I went to Sennecca Rocks in April 2003 I had no idea how truly exquisite a weekend it would be.From the ten pound trout at the bottom to the wonderful display of flowering trees on the trails to the rugged radiance of the magical rocks above a fabulous forest my Jaw was dropped from first glance to the fading view in the mirror two days later.
I've got a buddy in WV that's a photographer and was a pretty serious climber, pioneering some of the routes at the New River Gorge and up there around Senneca. I live in one of the most spectacular private access valleys in the world and getting him West is like pulling teeth. It's places like the upper Potomac that ground our aesthetic souls. Thanks for sharing Bob.
Oh yeah, forgot this wasn't facebook. The chat bar's throwing me off. Just kidding, although sp these days has become more "like" facebook with the whole chat system deal. Nice trip report by the way.
Oh, we did that part,too (I was a bridesmaid - in a long dress yet!) for the benefit of the parents and grandparents. Then we climber/caver types drove to Seneca, climbed it, had a second ceremony capped with passing several bottles of champagne around. I don't remember the descent, but must have made it! :-))
My wife (then girlfriend) and I have a lot of happy memories from Seneca, from back in the horse & buggy days when we thought it was 4 hours from DC (2.5--wtf??). I remember stepping out of the car one Friday midight, with the rocks shining in the light of a full moon, and overhearing her whispering to herself "I LOVE this place!" It's one of those moments when I felt "the connection", you know? Anyway, an inveterate rotten-rock scrambler like you might also want to check out some of the nearby ridges--there are miles of cliff bands to explore, pretty much untouched, some of them in gorgeous settings. Not quite as solid as Seneca but, hey, this is Sihler Of The Absarokas--you'll feel right at home!
I'm a bit west of D.C. and thus have less traffic and mileage to deal with. It's about 125 miles from my house, but the winding roads at the VA-WV border slow things down.
I like the idea of exploring some of the other ridges in the area. Thanks for the suggestion.
Bob- Nice job man! The 3rd pitch of Old man's is hard! It's basically an overhanging off-width. Thank god it's short... I have rapped down traffic jam a hundred times and still find it a very exposed place. I can't imagine down climbing from there- down Old man's. Sounds like a great trip- all around. Nice job and thanks for sharing!!!
Thanks for checking it out and commenting, Rick. I was admiring Traffic Jam while next to it and would love to climb it, though not without a rope for that on!
mvs - Mar 7, 2011 11:32 am - Voted 10/10
nice!Though you clearly need a climbing partner too! :D
MarkDidier - Mar 7, 2011 5:57 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice Informative PieceLooks like another outstanding spot in the East...with some excellent photos to boot! I hadn't heard of Seneca Rocks, so thanks for posting. Probably a little tough for my tastes (other than the north summit) but it does look like there is some good scrambling opportunites that could make for a fun day.
Bob Sihler - Mar 9, 2011 9:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice Informative PieceThere is still lots of good scrambling lower on the rocks that gets you intimate with the place without getting into serious exposure. It's definitely worth a trip even if you only do the north peak.
Doublecabin - Mar 13, 2011 6:05 pm - Hasn't voted
A Glorious GemWhen I went to Sennecca Rocks in April 2003 I had no idea how truly exquisite a weekend it would be.From the ten pound trout at the bottom to the wonderful display of flowering trees on the trails to the rugged radiance of the magical rocks above a fabulous forest my Jaw was dropped from first glance to the fading view in the mirror two days later.
I've got a buddy in WV that's a photographer and was a pretty serious climber, pioneering some of the routes at the New River Gorge and up there around Senneca. I live in one of the most spectacular private access valleys in the world and getting him West is like pulling teeth. It's places like the upper Potomac that ground our aesthetic souls. Thanks for sharing Bob.
Bob Sihler - Mar 14, 2011 8:10 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: A Glorious GemThanks. It is a very nice and special area, and I hope to spend more time there this spring.
(But I'd still rather be in WY!)
MoapaPk - Mar 14, 2011 6:52 pm - Voted 10/10
LikeI just hit the "like" button for this report, equivalent to voting "10."
Bob Sihler - Mar 14, 2011 8:10 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: LikeWell, I like that!
Jerry L - Mar 15, 2011 4:08 pm - Voted 10/10
WifeI doubt your wife knew it was you at the time. Another good read. Be careful climbing solo...........as you well know.
Bob Sihler - Mar 16, 2011 11:47 am - Hasn't voted
Re: WifeNow I know why she grimaced when we made eye contact.
The picture of your son climbing Humphrey's Head has me wanting to try that one next time.
Josh Lewis - Mar 15, 2011 8:40 pm - Voted 10/10
Where's the fan button?Oh yeah, forgot this wasn't facebook. The chat bar's throwing me off. Just kidding, although sp these days has become more "like" facebook with the whole chat system deal. Nice trip report by the way.
Moni - Mar 15, 2011 9:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Spent many weekendsat Seneca and even celebrated a wedding on one of the summits!
Bob Sihler - Mar 16, 2011 11:45 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Spent many weekendsSounds more interesting than my dull wedding in a Catholic church!
Moni - Mar 18, 2011 8:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Spent many weekendsOh, we did that part,too (I was a bridesmaid - in a long dress yet!) for the benefit of the parents and grandparents. Then we climber/caver types drove to Seneca, climbed it, had a second ceremony capped with passing several bottles of champagne around. I don't remember the descent, but must have made it! :-))
truello - Mar 16, 2011 8:55 am - Hasn't voted
2.5 hours?2.5 hours so you won't visit often? Man... and I thought I was lucky for having it "only" 3 hours away.
Bob Sihler - Mar 16, 2011 11:44 am - Hasn't voted
Re: 2.5 hours?Well, I do have Great Falls less than 30 minutes away, so I do have an alternative if I need to climb something.
chugach mtn boy - Mar 16, 2011 1:33 pm - Hasn't voted
There's moreMy wife (then girlfriend) and I have a lot of happy memories from Seneca, from back in the horse & buggy days when we thought it was 4 hours from DC (2.5--wtf??). I remember stepping out of the car one Friday midight, with the rocks shining in the light of a full moon, and overhearing her whispering to herself "I LOVE this place!" It's one of those moments when I felt "the connection", you know? Anyway, an inveterate rotten-rock scrambler like you might also want to check out some of the nearby ridges--there are miles of cliff bands to explore, pretty much untouched, some of them in gorgeous settings. Not quite as solid as Seneca but, hey, this is Sihler Of The Absarokas--you'll feel right at home!
Bob Sihler - Mar 18, 2011 4:19 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: There's moreI'm a bit west of D.C. and thus have less traffic and mileage to deal with. It's about 125 miles from my house, but the winding roads at the VA-WV border slow things down.
I like the idea of exploring some of the other ridges in the area. Thanks for the suggestion.
rickford - Mar 17, 2011 4:44 pm - Voted 10/10
5.2? Old Man's route is a solid 5.3!Bob- Nice job man! The 3rd pitch of Old man's is hard! It's basically an overhanging off-width. Thank god it's short... I have rapped down traffic jam a hundred times and still find it a very exposed place. I can't imagine down climbing from there- down Old man's. Sounds like a great trip- all around. Nice job and thanks for sharing!!!
Bob Sihler - Mar 18, 2011 4:21 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: 5.2? Old Man's route is a solid 5.3!Thanks for checking it out and commenting, Rick. I was admiring Traffic Jam while next to it and would love to climb it, though not without a rope for that on!
Sierra Ledge Rat - Mar 20, 2011 12:10 am - Voted 10/10
Hope you enjoyed......my state of West Virgina! But we don't like telling other people about our little piece of Heaven here!