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Elevation: 602 ft 183 m
GPS: 38.6067, -82.6309
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 63,861 total · 445/month
Shared By: JackWeaver on Feb 19, 2013 · Updates
Admins: Courtney Curtner, Michael Brown, Ray Weber

Description Suggest change

Lake Vesuvius is the recreational area for the Wayne National Forest. It's a large, 143 acre lake encircled by over 25 miles of hiking trails. Camping, picnicking, or fishing are available. I've only visited it in the Winter and there were not many visitors. No access fee.

Most of the climbing is along the lake shore about 50 feet from the water. There are lots of trees to block the wind. Most of the routes are shaded. The rock quality varies in the park, but there are at least a dozen established routes that are clean and have good quality rock. Several routes are bolted with two bolt anchors at the top. If you have enough rope/webbing you can top rope on all the routes. They are at most 35 to 40 feet tall.

Getting There Suggest change

The nearest town is Ironton, so look that up and follow these directions from there: Take exit 93 from Highway 52 and head north on OH-93. After 5.8 miles you'll see a sign for Lake Vesuvius Rec. Area. You'll take a right within 100 yards of the sign onto paddle creek road. That will take you straight into the park. going into the park the road forks. Most (if not all) of the climbing is to the right. Park in the parking lot near the dam spillway.

Route Development

Suggest change

Though climbing is permitted at Lake Vesuvius (and other areas in the Wayne National Forest), bolting is prohibited. Please visit the Wayne National Forest website for more information: Wayne National Forest- Climbing

51 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Lake Vesuvius

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V0 4
 5
Pickpocket
Boulder
V1 5
 6
Control Joint
Boulder
V2 5+
 6
M.C.T.S.
Boulder
V2+ 5+
 6
Constant Gardener
Boulder
V3 6A
 4
Hate Crime
Boulder
V3 6A
 5
The Gate Escape
Boulder
V4- 6B
 4
The Gate
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
 4
Left Field
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 4
S Crack
Trad, TR
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 7
The Catacomb Wall
Sport, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 8
Triangles
Sport, TR
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 5
Blueberry Funk
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Pickpocket Dam Area > Detention Block
 5
V0 4 Boulder
Control Joint Dam Area > Garden Boulders > Garden Wall
 6
V1 5 Boulder
M.C.T.S. Dam Area > Garden Boulders > Garden Wall
 6
V2 5+ Boulder
Constant Gardener Dam Area > Garden Boulders > Garden Wall
 6
V2+ 5+ Boulder
Hate Crime Dam Area > Detention Block
 4
V3 6A Boulder
The Gate Escape Dam Area > Garden Boulders > Garden Wall
 5
V3 6A Boulder
The Gate Dam Area > Garden Boulders > Garden Wall
 4
V4- 6B Boulder
Left Field Baseball Field
 4
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13 Trad
S Crack Dam Area > Dam Wall
 4
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, TR
The Catacomb Wall Baseball Field
 7
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport, TR
Triangles Dam Area > Dam Wall
 8
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport, TR
Blueberry Funk Rock
 5
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
More Classic Climbs in Lake Vesuvius »

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