Rock Climbing in New River Gorge

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in New River Gorge please refer to the West Virginia Tourism Office website or the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

Rock climbing is more than just a sport; it’s problem solving on-the-go. It’s a balance of intuition and fluidity of movement. The fun comes from the possibilities — each route with a variety of options and only a fraction of them leading to success. When you finally master a climb, after hours of practice, it transcends mere sport and is akin to art.

What you get in this adventure:

• An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
• 4-8 hours of rock climbing each day (depending on your chosen itinerary)
• All technical climbing gear

All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:

• Helmet
• Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag
• Rock shoes* (included in the price, but we recommend bringing your own if you have them)
• Ropes
• Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• Daypack large enough to carry all the items listed (a 20-35L bag)
• Water bottle or hydration pack
• Food you can eat on-the-go
• Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
• Sunglasses
• Camera — optional

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

New River Gorge has plenty of options for beginner climbers. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun!

Your climbing itinerary will be fully customized to match your skill level and objectives. You and your guide will discuss route selection, skills development, and whatever else you’d like to focus on. From there, your guide will plan the perfect day tailored just for you.

Depending on your objectives, full days may start earlier and end later, but in general, your day will look like this:

• 8:30 am: Meet your guide at the guide’s recommended location [add exact meetup location if it exists]
• 9:00 am: Gear up and carpool to the crag
• 9:30 am: Start climbing your objective for the day
• 12:30 am – 1:00 pm: Lunch (bring snacks and plenty of water)
• 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Build upon techniques developed in the morning session and explore additional terrain as time allows
• 4:30 pm: Back to the cars for debriefing and high fives

If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

• If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
• Teens aged 14-17 can go on their own, but a guardian will need to provide a signed waiver before an outing with the guide.
• Kids younger than 14 can go climbing on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Normally, group sizes are between 1–4 people with one guide, with the option of up to 6 people per guide depending on the chosen itinerary.

Costs per person will decrease as the group grows for private tours, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.

As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation.” You can expect your guides to be fully prepared for anything. Inclement weather can always get in the way of climbing, but your guide will know the best spots to move to if the weather takes a turn.

On the rare occasion of truly bad weather, your guide will present you with suitable alternatives. The most common practice is to move to a nearby location if it exists, or to reschedule your climbing to a more favorable day.

If climbing is not possible on your scheduled day and no options presented are viable, you will be issued a full refund.

With 57hours, you benefit from both our own cancellation policy as well as that of the individual guiding service that delivers your adventure. All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure, but rest assured that our own cancellation policy will work on top of what is provided by your guide.

For this adventure, 57hours offers a Moderate Cancellation Policy, which states:
If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. For cancellations fourteen (14) to twenty nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations zero (0) to thirteen (13) days in advance, the Client is not entitled to any refund.

For more information on terms and conditions, please visit our Terms of Service page.

You will typically meet your guide at the New River Gorge climbing area’s parking lots. The exact climbing spot will be discussed after the booking as guides make that decision after considering the skill level of the group and factors such as crag traffic and weather.