Climbing Resources and Good Reads

Looking for more information on bouldering and climbing in and around Maryland?  Here are a few of the sites that I recommend:

Indy's Guide to 'Hidden' (and not-so-hidden) Maryland Climbing Areas
By far the best resource I've seen for route information in Maryland, with a little bouldering thrown in as well. 

mdguides
Maryland mini-guides available for free download.  Primarily bouldering, since Indy's guide and website already have most of the routes covered so well.

Frederick Bouldering
Fantastic blog documenting the ongoing development efforts at Frederick's many bouldering areas.

Rock Climbing in the Patapsco State Park and Baltimore MD
Every known climbable rock in the Patapsco region mapped into Google Earth.  Think there's not a lot of rock around?  Check it out.

Harpers Ferry Climbing
An awesome guide to climbing and bouldering in Harpers Ferry, with a blog that makes for some great reading.

Adventures in Pebble Wrestling
Good bouldering blog detailing the adventures of a group of DC area climbers, along with useful reviews of the delicious whisky and brews that fuel their endeavors.

Adventures with Ryan Eric Jones
Walks in the woods with Sykesville climber and ET route setter extraordinaire Ryan Jones.

The Ordinary Climbers
Local climbing a few road trips from a somewhat younger perspective.  Fantastic writing and plenty of hard climbing.

To Defy Gravity
Another psyched local detailing his time on and off the rocks, with a few good gear reviews thrown in along the way.

The Climbing Lab
Training advice and some Maryland videos and mini-guides.

Tim Rose Climbing-
Some great Maryland photos and video mixed in with other Mid-Atlantic and Southeast climbing.

Blue Ridge Bouldering
Free mini-guides for bouldering areas in the Blue Ridge section of Virginia.

Mid-Atlantic Climbers
Organization promoting responsible climbing and helping maintain access to local crags.  Keep an eye out for their Adopt-A-Crag events, which are great opportunities to meet other climbers and help take care of your favorite climbing areas.

Earth Treks Climbing Centers
Three amazing climbing gyms in the Baltimore-DC area, providing many opportunities for instruction in guided climbing, as well as a wonderful community.  The gym in Rockville is currently the largest in the nation!

Sportrock Climbing Centers
Two excellent gyms with friendly staff and plenty of instructional opportunities for anyone in the Northern Virginia or DC area.

Rockclimbing.com (Maryland section)
Over 700 routes and boulder problems listed by area.  Not always easy to go out and find what's listed, but the comments can be really useful.

Mountain Project (Maryland section)
Info on routes and a few boulder problems.  A great site, but still very incomplete.


Or for news from a little further afield, here are some of my other favorite reads...

Bowshaaa- Bouldering in CT and MA.  This site makes me want to go climb there more than anything I've ever seen.

Bug Chuckers, Inc-  Mid-Atlantic fly fishing at its best.

Danno's Climbing Adventures- Dan Brayack's blog, featuring some of the best photos out there of bouldering and climbing in the southeast.

Luke's Bloggie Blog- Musings of Luke Mehall, publisher of The Climbing Zine, and the man who makes me crave desert cracks like no other.

Mountain Air-  The inspiring blog of Colorado author James Dziezynski, who reminds me with every post why I'll always love hiking more than climbing.

Thoughts from a Mediocre Rock Climber-  Fantastic climbing blog from MD native Will Anglin.

Will Anglin- Will's upgraded site.  Even better than the original!

Ultra-Running Down a Dream- Race reports, gear reviews, and trail info from local distance runner Melinda Coen.  Running friends, keep an eye on this one!

And finally, my favorite gear...

Asana Climbing
Perfecting the art of impact mitigation since 1999.  Need a crash pad?  Look no further!  They also make the most comfortable shorts I've ever worn, perfect for steamy Maryland summers.