West Virginia · Rock climbing · Seneca Rocks

South End

South End in West Virginia has 28 climbing routes across 15 difficulty grades.

28 routes
5.5 – 5.12d
Trad · Mixed · Sport

Is South End open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Monongahela National Forest. It doesn't name South End, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Monongahela National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit South End

Best months: April–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

    43° / 22°

    8 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 23°

    7 wet

  3. Mar

    55° / 30°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    67° / 38°

    11 wet

  5. May

    74° / 48°

    12 wet

  6. Jun

    81° / 55°

    10 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 59°

    10 wet

  8. Aug

    83° / 58°

    10 wet

  9. Sep

    77° / 51°

    8 wet

  10. Oct

    68° / 41°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    56° / 32°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 25°

    9 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Franklin 2 Ne, WV, 11.3 mi away at 1,900 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

South End is a climbing area in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, within the Potomac Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits in a cluster of climbing spots, with The Old Hemlock Grove and Southeast Corner both about a tenth of a mile away. The climbing here is mostly traditional, and the grade range runs from 5.5 to 5.12d. Among the routes are Lower Skyline Direct at 5.5, Simple J Malarkey at 5.7 and Fine Young Cannibals at 5.12d. Spinnaker is the only sport route, at 5.11a. For the most comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the sweet spots. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 74°F and September highs around 77°F, with lows near 48°F and 51°F. Seneca Rocks Trail is about a third of a mile away, and Pipeline Trail is about 0.2 miles away. Seneca Shadows campground lies about 1.4 miles off, and Seneca Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 4 miles away.

Routes (28)

NightwingsFA: Chick Holkamp/Carol Black (1978)5.10Wild Men OnlyFA: Tom Evans/Chips Janger/Bob Lyon (1967). First Free Ascent: John Bercaw/ John Gorrahan (1976)5.10La Bella VistaFA: Howard Doyle/Lotus Steele5.10-A Different School of ThoughtFA: Massey Teel, Seth Pettit 20115.10+Welcome to SenecaFA: George Livingston/Thais Weibel (1967). First Free Ascent: Howard Doyle/Marty Mclaughlin/Eric Janoscrat (1978)5.10+Sixth SenseFA: Matt,Hale, Ray Snead5.10aBirds of PreyFA: Paul Anikis, Mark Thesing - 19845.10bBlood On The TracksFA: Leith Wain & Mark Huth5.10bMuscle BeachFA: Ray Snead, Matt Hale, 19755.11aSpinnakerFA: Darell Hensley, Chris Leon 19925.11aTotemFA: John Stannard, 19715.11aDracula (aka Dracula Beach)FA: Tom Cecil, Steve Cater, 19895.11bDrop Zone5.11bSuperstitionFA: Thayer Hughes, Mike Perraglio, FFA Howard Doyle Eric Janoscrat 19785.11cFine Young CannibalsFA: FA: Mark Carpenter/Barry Wallen 1965 FFA: John Bercaw/Rod Hansen 19885.12dLower Skyline Direct (LSD)FA: Paul Bradt, Don Hubbard, Sam Moore 19395.5Southwest Buttress Variation5.5Candy Corner5.6Tony's NightmareFA: Tony Solar, Ray Moore, Lorraine Snyder5.6EcstasyFA: Faint, et al.5.7Simple J MalarkeyFA: Arnold Wexler, Jim McCarthy 1953/545.7Tony's Nightmare Direct Finish5.7+The ShamblerFA: Ray Snead / Ben Mealy (1974)5.8Ye Gods & Little FishesFA: Arnold Wexler, John Reed, Earl Mosburg5.8La Bella Vista: Lotus variation5.9Satisfaction 2FA: Barry Wallen/Mark Carpenter (1965)5.9Southern ExposureFA: Howard Doyle/Eric Janoscrat (1978)5.9The DaydreamFA: Howard Doyle/Lotus Steele (1975)5.9

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