Well, I finally completed my move to Blacksburg, Virginia. We made the move primarily for business reasons, but a major draw and a primary criteria was the availability and proximity of outdoor activities (especially climbing). I’m not sure how the ice climbing season will go, but I hear in colder winters there’s ice to be found in the south.
For a climber, Blacksburg is truly a wonderful place. If you draw a 2-3 hour driving distance radius around Blacksburg you have access to areas such as the New River Gorge, Stone Mountain, Moore’s Wall, Bozoo, Boone, Seneca Rocks, Nelson Rocks, and Linville Gorge just to name a few. Extend that driving distance to 4-5 hours and you get the Red River Gorge, the east Tennessee areas, and the southwest North Carolina areas.
With the growth of Virginia Tech along with a surge in companies operating in the area, the area has transformed itself from my days as an undergrad. I’m extremely excited to be in the New River Valley with the wealth of opportunities that await me here. If you’re in this area or passing through and looking for a climbing partner, drop me a line.