Seneca Rocks Guide/Guide Service Recommendation for Trad Course

My brother and I are looking to break into trad climbing and we are thinking that Seneca Rocks would be a good place to do this! Are there any guides or guide services that you recommend for a 2-3 day trad course? Also, we are looking to go in mid-November. Is that too late in the year for Seneca Rocks?

Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides

I liked the teaching style Massey Teel has. Taught you, but also gave you space to explore. Seneca Rocks Climbing School. 

I’ve gone out a bunch of times with Seneca Rocks Climbing School.  Great, professional instructors.  Massey is great, so is Sean, Dan, Gary, all of them.

Did self rescue course with SRMG. Great courses and they knew their stuff. I see no reason to believe their trade beginner course wouldn't be stellar.  

Pick your side of Rt. 33 and square up!

Matt Antonio wrote:

Pick your side of Rt. 33 and square up!

Most guides are solid. If they weren't, they wouldn't progress through the AMGA track. Choosing the right one for instruction really comes down to personal preference, personality, and learning style (hence why I said why I like Massey). 

In short, I think you'll be happy with whoever you choose as long as they're certified. 

I did a trad course with Tori at Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides and was great. I think both guide services are fantastic and you’ll learn a lot either side of the road. November isn’t too late at all. May be a bit chilly, but that’s my favorite time to climb at Seneca. 

Either one you pick is great. I did the rock responder pro course with Troy @ SRMG and couldn't have been happier. The indoor, real-rock crack at SRMG can help boost what you can learn if Wet Virginia is living up to its nickname. Either way, I make sure you camp at Yokum's for the full experience.

Highly recommend Grant Price with Blue Ridge Mountain Guides. 

Ask for Patrick at Seneca Rocks Climbing School, he's a great teacher and fun to climb with. 

Daniel Hampton wrote:

I did a trad course with Tori at Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides and was great. I think both guide services are fantastic and you’ll learn a lot either side of the road. November isn’t too late at all. May be a bit chilly, but that’s my favorite time to climb at Seneca. 

I’m looking to book with them for the exact thing this year. I’d like to do two days, but might only be able to afford a single day since it might just be me. Would you say a single day would be sufficient for me to start off my trad journey? How many days did you sign up for and how did your trad journey go after it?

Kyle Mills wrote:

Either one you pick is great. I did the rock responder pro course with Troy @ SRMG and couldn't have been happier. The indoor, real-rock crack at SRMG can help boost what you can learn if Wet Virginia is living up to its nickname. Either way, I make sure you camp at Yokum's for the full experience.

I’m going to second the thoroughness of Troy and Tom Cecil’s Seneca  Rocks mountain guides.  If you look at my ticks, I spent a bit of time there over the years and can vouch for the quality you receive from them. I took a class from them 6 years ago and have used what I’ve learned since with confidence.

Make sure to bring your passive pro!