HUMBLED IN THE SHADOW OF SENECA ROCKS
Most rock climbers don’t necessarily view West Virginia as an “epic climbing destination.” The more likely image that comes to mind when picturing the state is one of rolling blue hills, winding country roads, and relics from coal mining towns. The state is rich in mountainous terrain and lush river valleys, and it’s easy to appreciate John Denver’s famous lyrical reference to the state as “almost heaven”—but this was attributed to its scenery rather than its cliffs.
I’ve been living in North Carolina for the past five years, and rock climbing for about as long. My fiancé, Jed, and I spend most weekends romping up the generous quartzite cliffs and granite domes that speckle our home state. We share the Blue Ridge Mountains with our northwestern neighbor,
