West Virginia · Rock climbing · Williamson

Alma West

Alma West in West Virginia has 6 routes with 4 difficulty grades, offering bouldering and trad climbing.

6 routes
5.6 – 5.8
Trad · Bouldering

Best time to visit Alma West

Best months: April, June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    47° / 26°

    12 wet · 2 snow

  2. Feb

    51° / 29°

    11 wet · 2 snow

  3. Mar

    60° / 34°

    13 wet · 1 snow

  4. Apr

    72° / 43°

    12 wet

  5. May

    79° / 54°

    13 wet

  6. Jun

    85° / 63°

    12 wet

  7. Jul

    89° / 67°

    12 wet

  8. Aug

    88° / 66°

    10 wet

  9. Sep

    82° / 59°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    72° / 47°

    10 wet

  11. Nov

    61° / 35°

    11 wet

  12. Dec

    50° / 30°

    12 wet · 1 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Williamson, WV, 6.1 mi away at 760 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Alma West is a climbing area in West Virginia, about 1.3 miles from the town of Maher. It sits just 0.1 mile from Alma Crag, another climbing area, which makes the two worth pairing on a single visit. The area offers six routes, five of them traditional climbs and one a boulder problem. Most are in the 5.6 to 5.8 range on the YDS scale, with Devil Anse at 5.8. The boulder route runs V1-2. The grades suggest the climbs are on the moderate side, and the traditional style makes this a destination for climbers who prefer bolt-free routes. For the most comfortable conditions, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Williamson, WV, run to highs around 79°F in May and 82°F in September, with July peaking near 89°F and winter highs in the low 50s. Chicken Head Rock is about 6.8 miles away across the line in Kentucky, and Warfield Walking Track is 8.8 miles off for a change of pace.

Routes (6)