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Elevation: 220 ft
GPS: 39.0303, -77.0041
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Kristan Markey on Nov 16, 2012 · Updates
Admins: Frances Fierst, C S

Description Suggest change

Collection of 200 boulder problems in a wooded area of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River just minutes north of DC. Watch for families hiking through on the weekends.

This area is a limited resource and has seen an increase in traffic. As a result, some of holds are becoming polished. Please clean sand off the bottom of climbing shoes and brush off excess chalk.

Topos available at:

http://mdguides.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/nwb-guide-draft.pdf (newer)

http://www.drtopo.com/submitted/nwbranch.pdf

A new digital guidebook written by Dana Miller details 122 boulder problems with hi-res photos, maps, and GPS.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive to exit 30 on the Capital Beltway (495). Head north on Colesville Rd/Columbia Pike (Route 29).
Drive 1.4 miles on Route 29. Parking lot for the Northwest Branch will be on the right. If you get to the Citgo/Trader Joe's/California Tortilia (Lockwood Plaza)x, you've gone too far.
Follow the trail at the parking lot

239 Total Climbs

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Location: Northwest Branch Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Northwest Branch

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V0 4
 50
Don't Fall Right
Boulder
V2 5+ PG13
 6
Do It Or... Better Do It
Boulder
V4 6B
 38
Snowflake Traverse
Boulder
V4 6B
 6
High Traverse
Boulder
V5 6C
 47
the TRAVERSE
Boulder
V5 6C
 43
Nice Slot
Boulder
V5 6C
 5
What's Golden Sit
Boulder
V5+ 6C+
 6
Emma's Goodies
Boulder
V5-6 6C+
 17
Anklebiter Far Left
Boulder
V6 7A
 7
The Business
Boulder
V6 7A PG13
 11
Suspended Disbelief
Boulder
V6 7A
 6
Nice Slot Sit Start
Boulder
V7 7A+
 26
Secret Garden
Boulder
V8 7B
 9
Curtain Call
Boulder
V10 7C+
 12
Ultimate Doom
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Don't Fall Right N Bank - Chaos… > Upstream Slab
 50
V0 4 Boulder
Do It Or... Better Do It S Bank - Roof Area
 6
V2 5+ PG13 Boulder
Snowflake Traverse N Bank - Chaos… > Downstream Slab AKA S…
 38
V4 6B Boulder
High Traverse S Bank - Tick Area
 6
V4 6B Boulder
the TRAVERSE S Bank - Tick Area
 47
V5 6C Boulder
Nice Slot S Bank - Pipeli… > Nice Slot
 43
V5 6C Boulder
What's Golden Sit Long Wall
 5
V5 6C Boulder
Emma's Goodies S Bank - Tick Area
 6
V5+ 6C+ Boulder
Anklebiter Far Left N Bank - Anklebiter B…
 17
V5-6 6C+ Boulder
The Business S Bank - Roof Area
 7
V6 7A Boulder
Suspended Disbelief N Bank - Suspended Bo…
 11
V6 7A PG13 Boulder
Nice Slot Sit Start S Bank - Pipeli… > Nice Slot
 6
V6 7A Boulder
Secret Garden S Bank - Pipeli… > Secret Garden
 26
V7 7A+ Boulder
Curtain Call Curtain Call Boulder
 9
V8 7B Boulder
Ultimate Doom N Bank - Chaos… > Chaos Roof
 12
V10 7C+ Boulder
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