Southern Pillar

The Southern Pillar viewed from Skyline Traverse

Description 

The Southern Pillar is located across Roy Gap Road from the South and North Peaks. It is shaded until early afternoon. Although some of the shorter routes are shaded by trees all Day.

The quartzite of the southern pillar is comparable to the rest of Seneca. However, like all of the formations in the valley, the extreme ends of the formations contain poorer rock and routes such as Gerphart-Dufty (5.7) have been the site of many accidents.

Other classic routes on the Southern Pillar include Roy-Gap Chimneys (5.6) and Climb and Punishment (5.9).

Getting There 

Hike up Roy Gap road, the Southern Pillar is on your right.

Featured Route For Southern Pillar

Climbin' Punishment 5.9  West Virginia : Seneca Rocks : Southern Pillar

Superb and well-protected route. Usually done in three pitches but, with a 60m rope, can be done in one long pitch, if you don't mind long slings for pro and tough communication with the belayer. First two pitches make for an excellent 5.8.P1: Start in a left-facing corner just to the left of Roy Gap Chimney. Go up 40 feet (5.7) and step left onto the ledge under a crack in the corner.P1 variation: Start in a left facing corner 10 feet left of th...[more]