I recently attended my friends’ wedding in the D.C. area, but some other friends and I had a few days to burn beforehand. We decided to visit the Little Stony Man cliffs at Shenandoah National Park. We simply weren’t after beautiful vistas; we went there to rappel down and climb up the 100+ foot cliffs. The cliffs of Little Stony Man can be intimidating, but fears can become mitigated with proper training, experienced company, and redundant security ropes. We tied off ropes and webbing to trees and boulders in order to climb two different routes with difficulties ranging from around a 5.6 to 5.8. My friends, being more experienced than me, had few problems climbing the cliff. I was able to make it after some failures.
The view from the top is spectacular, as the entire Shenandoah Valley is presented before your eyes.
Little Stoney Man View
Little Stoney Man View
While we hiked up the trail to the summit in order to tie down, I suspect it is more rewarding to climb.
Halfway Up
Climbing
Brian Belaying and Watching
Almost to the Ledge
At the Ledge
After I finally made it to the ledge, we switched routes at the top and rappel down.
Hanging from the Ledge
Rappelling Down
Watching Brian’s Final Rappel
So cool! Spectacular pictures of the incredible view!
Spectacular view! This makes me so excited to climb this weekend!
Excellent. Where will you climb?
Probably Sunset Rock! It’s in Tennessee.
I heard about that place. How was it? I’ll be visiting the nearby Foster Falls in a few months.
It’s great! For bouldering, I recommend LRC and Rocktown. The latter is in GA.
Very dramatic photos. I wouldn’t attempt the climb but it might be worth it for the landscapes opportunities at the top! I think I might have to get over my fear of heights
Thank you. The views from the top can be accessed via a trail from the highway; no need to climb up the cliff to the summit. The trails also wrap around to the foot of the cliff.
That sounds more like it – a walk rather than a climb!
WOW ! This is crazy fun ! I’d never have the strength or courage to attempt this. I’ll be there next week and tell Stoney Man you said hellow.
How did your visit to Stony Man go?
that pool of water along the rocks is too cool!
Indeed. It was a pleasant surprise.