Lend just an hour or two, a whole day or multiple days!

What: Junkyard Wall approach trail, risers and re-route
When: Tuesday, August 31 – Monday, September 6
Where: Junkyard Wall each day at 8:30 am
Bring: Closed-toed shoes, your own food, water, etc.

Junkyard Wall gets its name from the actual unofficial junkyard that once graced what is now the approach trail. The hill was, "once an overflowing mound of washing machines, Mason jars, old tires, and household refuse," writes Mike Williams in New River Gorge Rock Climbs (Wolverine Press). The NPS cleaned the largest of the trash out long ago, but the tinier detritus remains. That combined with the steep nature of the trail makes approaching Junkyard the most dangerous part of the day. Who knows how deep the trash runs?! Take a gander at the millions of glass shards lining the path and it's easy to see why some call it "Hepatitis Hill."

Well, not for much longer. Beginning Tuesday, August 31 and going on through Labor Day Weekend, NRAC and the NPS plan to attack the long-standing Junkyard Wall approach problem by re-routing parts of the trail and installing steps where needed. The major push will occur Saturday, September 4, but we'll gladly accept your help on any one of those days. If you can lend an entire day, that’s great, but we understand the lure of the cliff, too. If all you can give us is an hour or two, we’ll appreciate you just as much!

For more information, contact:
Water Stone Outdoors: 304-574-2425
or info[at]newriverclimbing.net

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