15-20 routes in an old granite quarry. One or two bolted routes. There are some routes that could take gear, but it's not recommended. January saw a snowstorm in which the melting then freezing caused a huge flake to break off the crag. If thawing and freezing can cause this, so can expansion of camming devices. But it's up to you. Most routes between 30 and 40 ft. Some of the top anchors are sketchy to get to, a rappel is recommended to set them up.
Getting There
From the interstate take the Fifth Street exit. Follow Fifth until it ends. This will put you on Tredegar Street. Take a right on Tredegar. Park in the lot that's under the railway bridge. Take a foot bridge to Belle Isle. Take the trail on the northern end of the island until you see the quarry on your left. Approach time 15 minutes.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Belle Isle:
Sit start on shelf and left hand on arete left foot on incut, move into a heel hook and bump hand further up arete with right thumb catch. next move right hand to sloper and left out to shelf, double mantle and top out left of previously established problems. awesome...[more]Browse More Classics in VA
I'll start working with a few friends up here in Richmond to get some info about Belle and the JRP boulders. Nothing too exciting overall - Belle has a few between V0-V4 - but it's a lot better than nothing!
By Aaron James Parlier Administrator From: Boone, NC / Grayson, VA Apr 12, 2011
Grayson: That would be awesome and much appreciated. Take photos too! A picture is worth a thousand words, and it couldn't be more true on here. It doesn't matter if the bouldering is world class or not because if its all you have at the time, its gonna be great. Thanks!!
I'm heading out there this afternoon to do a little bouldering. I'll try to get some pictures of the major areas like the Ampitheatre and Quarry Pond. Some of the better boulders are back on the bike trails in the James River Park System but I have only passed them on my runs so I'm not sure where the closest parking is (it would be a pretty long hike from the Tredegar St. parking).
By Aaron James Parlier Administrator From: Boone, NC / Grayson, VA May 25, 2011
Thats awesome Ryan I'm excited to see some photos!
By Aaron James Parlier Administrator From: Boone, NC / Grayson, VA May 25, 2011
Perfect! Thanks for all the pictures, posts, and work. Looks really cool!
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