| Description: |
Manchester Bridge is a series of old bridge
abutments and bridge piers that were abandoned some time ago. This area has bolted
routes for sport climbing and the main wall allows for top roping by walking to the top of
the route, clipping two quickdraws to the bolted anchors and dropping your rope.
Climbs range in difficulty from 5.5 to about 5.10c. |
| Location: |
Approximately 1 1/2 hours south of Washington,
D.C. near downtown Richmond on the James River |
| Directions: |
From D.C. get on 95 south and heads towards
Richmond. Exit at 76b - Belvidere Road and follow signs for Route 1 south.
Cross over the James River and at the first light - Semmes Avenue - make a left.
Follow Semmes approximately 2 blocks and make a left into the Flood Wall parking area. |
| Approach: |
From the parking area, walk along the concrete
sidewalk under the new Manchester Bridge and to the pedestrian bridge over the train
tracks. After you cross over the tracks, the path splits, make a right and head
towards the river. At the end of this path is an overlook. Just before the
overlook on your right, are railroad-tie stairs that lead to the base of the
abutment. Follow the stairs down, turn left and you are there. Total approach
time - 15 minutes. |
Note: |
We have no idea what the names
are of the routes above, so we numbered them. There is a book out there that has
route names and ratings. Once we find it, we'll update this page. If anyone
knows the names or grades of these routes please e-mail
us. Thanks. |
Manchester Bridge Abutment (Main Wall)
| #1 |
(5.7+/ 2 bolts / 35 ft / PPP ) |
| Location: |
First run on left-most side of
abutment |
| Anchors: |
Two bolts |
| The Run: |
Start off at the base using nice
finger pockets to your right. Move up and through the face using medium to small
edges and pockets. |
| Comments: |
"The most difficult part is
at the beginning. Once you reach the first bolt you are ok until the end. I
needed to use the left hand side of the block to get to the anchors." - MG |
| #5 |
(5.9/ 7 bolts / 60 ft / PPPP ) |
| Location: |
Fifth run from the left |
| Anchors: |
Two bolts |
| The Run: |
Start off at the base using deep
middle finger holes to pull your way to the first two bolts. From there, the holds
change to small edges and horizontal cracks between the blocks. A couple of thin
moves from there is the end. |
| Comments: |
"The lower section was
awesome. After that three moves were great and then you ran out of feet or hands.
Three moves more, no feet or no hands. A nice challenge." - MG |
| #10 |
(5.8+/ 3 bolts / 50 ft / PPPP ) |
| Location: |
Tenth run from the left |
| Anchors: |
Two bolts |
| The Run: |
Start off with easy, solid, hands
and feet to the first bolt. Use crimpers and vertical cracks to get to the second
bolt. The crux is getting over the weird bulging block because the hands above are
so thin. From their to the third bolt is easy again and then run out to the anchors. |
| Comments: |
"A great run with a
surprisingly difficult move over the bulge. There was a high fear factor for me from
the third bolt to the anchors. All the good holds were dirty." - MG |
Pier #1 (Front Side)
| #1 - Bolts from Heaven |
(5.6 / 7 bolts / 35 ft / PPP ) |
| Location: |
First run on the left |
| Anchors: |
Two bolts |
| The Run: |
Climb left face and arete to the
top. |
| Comments: |
"I won't say this often, but
this run was over-bolted. However, this is a great run for learning how to lead
sport routes. Getting off of the ground was, by far, the hardest part." - MG |
| #3 |
(5.7 / 2 bolts / 35 ft / PPPP ) |
| Location: |
Third run from left |
| Anchors: |
Two bolts |
| The Run: |
Climb face using medium crimpers
to large footholds. |
| Comments: |
"This was a deceivingly nice
climb. The bolts seemed very far apart, however only one move was needed and then,
bingo!, you were at the next one." - MG |
|
