Franklin Gorge

38°39′47.26″N 79°19′15.59″W / 38.6631278°N 79.3209972°W / 38.6631278; -79.3209972Climbing typesport climbing crag with mostly face climbingHeight80 feetPitches1Ratingsmajority of climbs are in 5.9-5.13 rangeGradesIRock typesandstone and limestoneQuantity of rockweeks worthDevelopmentpartially developedCliff aspectwest facingSeasonspring to fallOwnershipprivate with multiple ownersCampingpaid at Franklin, West VirginiaClassic climbs

• Blood, Sweat, and Chalk (5.9)
• Aqualung (5.10a)
• Super Amazing Sea Monkeys (5.10c)
• Barnacle Bill (5.11a)

Stars

Franklin Gorge or just Franklin^[1] or Cranklin Gorge^[2] is a small sport climbing area near Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area located near Franklin, WV. This rock climbing spot was first discovered and developed by John Burcham and friends during the early-mid 90s. The site contains mostly sport and top rope climbing as well as some traditional climbing, and is located on private land. The rock is layered sandstone and some limestone which create horizontals, and the site has pockets and huecos for the majority of the holds. This site is the first place many Mid-Atlantic climbers cut their teeth on bolted rock climbing routes before going on to challenge the New River Gorge.

• Online topos, circulated since the 1990s
• Hörst, Eric J. (2001). Rock climbing Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland (1st ed.). Guilford, Conn.: FalconGuides. ISBN 1560448121.
• Horst, Eric J.; Green, Stewart M. (2013). Rock Climbing Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland (2nd ed.). FalconGuides. ISBN 0762784342.

• Detailed Routes
• Flickr Photos
• Youtube Videos
• Mid Atlantic Climbers, a local non-profit organization that seeks to maintain access to climbing areas