Whats better: New river gorge guidebook or MP?

Me and my friend are going to the new mid April and im just wondering if i should spend the 35 + shipping on a guidebook or just use my MP app on my phone. Of course I'd love to support guidebook authors but unfortunately funds are at a minimum for me right now :(..

While were on the subject, does anybody have recommendations for best/cheapest places to stay...basically whats the most similar to miguels?

muchas gracias

I haven't had a guidebook battery die on me yet.

Or wait to buy the book at Waterstone when you get there. You don't have to pay shipping and you support the local guys. Also I would recommend getting the book, it's well worth it in my opinion. Just split the cost with the partner if it's too much.

It's probably doable without the guidebook. You can borrow other peoples books at the crag, read them at night, etc, then make do with your phone during the day. But if you have a book, you'll certainly be a whole lot happier and spend a lot less time looking around for stuff.

Nothing quite like Miguels at NRG. You can stay at the AAC campground which has no services (only porta potties, no running water as of last season) for about $6-$8 per night. You can camp for free under the dam, but I've heard of meth heads and local yokels helping themselves to climbers campsites during the day. Not sure if that's still a concern these days.

The AAC campground has running water as of last October.

I think the guidebook is quite good and I would suggest getting it but I think you can get by pretty well without it.

Jake Jones wrote: Miguel's is not at the New. It's at the Red.

I believe he meant to say, "The NRG has nothing comparable to Miguel's."

To the OP, you could get by without the guide at high volume sport crags, just as well as any other place, but if you're wanting to get at all off the beaten path, get the guidebook. It's even divided into two volumes, so you don't necessarily have to buy both of them.

MP will get you around the well traveled classics. But I also recommend buying at least one of the volumes at Waterstone.

Stay at the AAC campground. Awesome place.

You can also rent the guidebook app for 2 months for $14 if your trip to the New is a one time deal.

http://www.rakkup.com/guidebooks/new-river-gorge-rock-climbing/

I'm not sure how good the MP app is but I definitely recommend some type of guidebook for the New. It's not like a lot of areas where you can roll up to the crag and just ask someone for beta. There is a good chance you'll be the only one there, on your own to figure things out.

Dylan B. wrote:What's the best guidebook for the NRG?

The new Williams guide- I don't think there's anything else even worth considering...

If you want running water, hot showers, and a little more peaceful vibe, Chestnut Creek is a good place to stay, and proximate to Endless. It's $10/night/person in season.

AAC is good too, with nice tent platforms in a cool setting. It can get a little hectic on the weekends, but some people are in to that. I wish there were a better system of determining open spots- especially when you show up after dark- it's kind of a free-for-all.

I can't speak to the NRG, but it's my experience that a guidebook is always better than MP. It's really more a question of can you afford a guidebook.

Guidebooks tend to have better topo photos so you can actually find the route comparing the pictures to what you're looking at from the ground.

Guidebook by far. MP is missing a good amount of routes. Plus with the book you get a lot of other really good stuff.

Has anyone stayed at the ACC Campground recently?

Just curious what exact amenities they have now.

Robert Fischman wrote:Has anyone stayed at the ACC Campground recently? Just curious what exact amenities they have now.

Dumpster, portajohns, water spigot.

I strongly second the recommendations for the new Williams guidebook from Waterstone and Chestnut Creek for camping.

I definitely recommend the new river rock guidebooks. They're pricy, but worth it. It's worth stepping into Waterstone and you can buy the guides there (they're the same price as online). That place is pretty magical.

Pies and Pints is some of the tastier pizza I've had and the AAC campground offers pretty convenient, super cheap car camping with nice tent pads. There are always climbers around the community fire, which makes for a really nice atmosphere. Highly recommended. Have a great trip to the New!

Has really no one taken the time to read the NRG page here on MP? Every bit of information asked about on here has it.

Also MP is an extension to the guidebook. Without the physical book or the rakup app it will be extremely difficult to locate most of the climbs.

You can always stay on the back part of my property for $100/night. There are no amenities but you can piss across the street and hit the endless wall trail.

Chris Whisenhunt wrote:You can always stay on the back part of my property for $100/night. There are no amenities but you can piss across the street and hit the endless wall trail.

I would not recommend Chris Whisenheimer's property. I paid $100, and wound up waking up to getting violently humped by a cracked-out pitbull in my tent. When I complained to Chris about that, he just laughed and charged me extra since it was his dog. He didn't even let me spray down my stained sleeping bag with his hose.

1 out of 5 stars. He's what's wrong with climbing at the NRG.

Pnelson wrote: I would not recommend Chris Whisenheimer's property. I paid $100, and wound up waking up to getting violently humped by a cracked-out pitbull in my tent. When I complained to Chris about that, he just laughed and charged me extra since it was his dog. He didn't even let me spray down my stained sleeping bag with his hose. 1 out of 5 stars. He's what's wrong with climbing at the NRG.

Go Pro video or it didn't happen.
+1 for Miguel's.