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Blood Pool

Virginia > Shenandoah & NW VA Re…

Description

Long face climbing routes. Modern grading system similar to Elizabeth Furnace.

All lines have be climbed by several people, and there is not much choss unless you get off route. Climb and belay with a helmet and use caution just in case. On the crag's south body are a few ledges that have loose pebbles/rocks on them but easy to avoid knocking them over. 

Some of these routes were intended to be mixed, but most routes do not have trustworthy placements for pro. Some of the surface rock has broken when testing a cam or nut, or is otherwise wet/covered in lichen. Cerulean has two areas for solid pro between bolts, but without the pro you would just be doing a similar run out to safe harbor, so most climbers would not need them anyway. The remaining routes may have a few optional pieces here and there between bolts, but this is always on very easy moves so if you are comfortable climbing moderate routes you will not need them.

Getting There

The best approach is to park at Keyser Run Trailhead where the crag is exactly one mile from the car. From the parking lot, walk the trail for a few minutes, then head through the woods to the GPS point 38.745886, -78.260212. The entire hike could be done in 30 minutes if you know where you're going, and most could be done with your hands in your pockets if you're lucky and end up going the most efficient way. Once you near the cliffs, you might run into a wall of sticker bushes. These can be completely avoided by heading straight south then west towards the cliffs rather than directly to them. Afterwards you hike down a small gully and boulderfield to reach the top of the crag.

There are anchors are on the backside of a large rock that you must scramble up which puts you at the top of the cliffs. See attached photo to show what you're looking for at the end of the approach. You can rappel to the bottom of the cliffs ONLY with a 70m rope. The 70m rope will not hit the ground, but with it weighted it will stretch enough to barely make it. Tie knots at the end. Alternatively you can continue downhill from the rock another minute or two and gain access to a ledge where you can rappel from.

It is also possible to start at the lower parking lot of Devils Stair Case and hike up to the base, but this requires a lot more time and involves risky fourth class terrain, where the crag earned its namesake.

To go home, both sides have wet fourth class terrain to scramble back up the cliffs, however the easiest and safest way to leave is to use the far right 5.6 Rosie's Thorn. This will put you on a ledge where you can walk off the cliff to your right and hike out.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 3
Cacabunga
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 1
Cerulean
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 2
Sloth Claw
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 2
Alice
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 2
Double Decker
Sport 2 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 2
I'm Not Lichen This
Sport
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
Zapato Roto
Sport
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
 3
Rosie's Thorn
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Cacabunga
 3
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Cerulean
 1
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Sloth Claw
 2
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Alice
 2
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Double Decker
 2
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport 2 pitches
I'm Not Lichen This
 2
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport
Zapato Roto
 4
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Rosie's Thorn
 3
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13 Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The anchors to Sloth Claw are located on the other side. You can rappel to the bottom of the cliffs ONLY with a 70m rope. The 70m rope will not reach the ground, but with it weighted will stretch enough to barely make it. Tie knots at the end.
[Hide Photo] The anchors to Sloth Claw are located on the other side. You can rappel to the bottom of the cliffs ONLY with a 70m rope. The 70m rope will not reach the ground, but with it weighted will stretch e…
Approximate positions on crag's south main body
<br>
Green - Sloth Claw
<br>
Blue - Alice
<br>
Yellow - Double Decker
<br>
Orange - I'm Not Lichen This
<br>
Red - Zapato Roto
<br>
Pink - Rosie's Thorn
[Hide Photo] Approximate positions on crag's south main body Green - Sloth Claw Blue - Alice Yellow - Double Decker Orange - I'm Not Lichen This Red - Zapato Roto Pink - Rosie's Thorn
The approach
[Hide Photo] The approach
The approach to Blood Pool
[Hide Photo] The approach to Blood Pool

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Mike J the Second
Gaithersburg, MD
[Hide Comment] Awesome that you (or someone) is developing this crag!! Mar 29, 2024
[Hide Comment] Quality long single pitch climbs, well worth the minor effort of the approach. Tons more potential to add more quality routes and eliminates. Good work on developing this crag Feb 24, 2025