Rocks and Boulder Cove

Last updated
Rocks and Boulder Cove
LocationSummit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
Nearest cityBeckley

The Rocks and Boulder Cove, the climbing area at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve located in Fayette and Raleigh Counties, near Beckley, is the largest man-made climbing facility in the world.

Contents

Purpose and uses

The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve’s primary function is to host the National Boy Scout Scout Jamboree every 4 years. The climbing walls at The Summit Bechtel Reserve make up the largest outdoor climbing facility in the world.

The rock climbing structure was built to be a key part of the programming for the National Jamboree in 2013, keeping in mind that it would also be used in a larger event in 2019, the World Scout Jamboree. [1]

Size and features

The rock climbing area features over 60,000 square feet of climbing terrain, and enough designated climbing lanes to accommodate over 200 climbers at any given time. The area is split into two parts, The Rocks and Boulder Cove.

The Rocks

The Rocks has 36 rappelling stations, six free-standing boulders, and over 150 different climbing stations between the six boulders and the six climbing fins. On these climbing fins, there are over 30 TRUEBLUE automatic belay devices. These devices were chosen because they allow single climbers to climb without the need for a belayer and they provide a safer experience for climbers. The auto belays are also used in a feature called the “Leap of Faith” that can be done between the two rappelling towers located in the climbing facility.

The Boulder Cove

The Boulder Cove features top rope climbing, rappelling, and bouldering features. The top-rope climbing structures range in height from 19 to 36 feet. There are 25 lanes that can accommodate a single climber at any given time. These structures also have designated lanes for rappelling. Along with the 12 rappel stations on the climbing walls, there is a 72-foot platform where patrons can rappel as well. Lastly, there are three climbing boulders with an average height of 13 feet. [2]

How the Rocks and Boulder Cove came to be the world's largest climbing facility

Initially, the outdoor climbing facility at the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve was not purposely intended to be the largest in the world. The required function, however, determined the necessary form.

The Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve was to be the site of the 2013 National Boy Scout Jamboree, an event that brings over 40,000 Scouts nationwide to one location for a week of camping and adventuring. In order to accommodate the necessary throughput, Eldorado Climbing Walls, the climbing wall manufacturer responsible for the design and construction of the structures, had to create the world's largest man made outdoor climbing facility. In an interview, the lead designer on the project, Jason Thomas, said that, “the largest driving factor of our design was the fact that we had to move 30,000 to 40,000 Scouts through these walls and create a lasting experience for each and every one of them. A 30,000 square foot climbing gym might take two, three months to design. These walls are small climbing gyms put together.”

The final design was determined by a number of requirements. The walls not only had to host 40,000 Scouts over a week's period, but they also had to blend seamlessly into the surrounding New River Gorge. On top of that, the walls needed to provide terrain appropriate for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned climbers. Finally, the walls needed to allow for smooth traffic flow in a high volume situation. [3]

Construction

The walls were constructed by Eldorado Climbing Walls from a rock-realistic product called SHOTRock, a Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete that mimics the look and feel of real rock. This product was chosen for its durability in outdoor applications, which was especially important in West Virginia, where the structures would be subject to rain, snow, and sunlight as the seasons shifted.

West Virginia's weather patterns impacted the construction process as well as the product chosen. During the winter of 2012–2013, there were many days and nights of heavy snow, which posed challenges on the construction crews. Concrete blankets, heaters, and various other methods were employed to help the product cure and set properly. [3]

Construction began in late 2012 and was completed just a few weeks before the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve was to open its grounds to the National Boy Scouts Jamboree on July 15, 2013. [1]

Other record breaking structures at the Summit Bechtel Family Resort

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bouldering</span> Form of rock climbing

Bouldering is a form of free climbing that is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses. While bouldering can be done without any equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to help secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry and to provide a firmer grip, and bouldering mats to prevent injuries from falls. Unlike free solo climbing, which is also performed without ropes, bouldering problems are usually less than six metres (20 ft) tall. Traverses, which are a form of boulder problem, require the climber to climb horizontally from one end to another. Artificial climbing walls allow boulderers to climb indoors in areas without natural boulders. In addition, bouldering competitions take place in both indoor and outdoor settings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climbing wall</span> Artificial rock climbing wall

A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with manufactured grips for the hands and feet. Most walls are located indoors, and climbing on such walls is termed indoor climbing. Some walls are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled into it. Recently, manufactured steel and aluminum have also been used. The wall may have places to attach belay ropes, but may also be used to practice lead climbing or bouldering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossary of climbing terms</span> For rock climbing and mountaineering

Glossary of climbing terms relates to rock climbing, mountaineering, and to ice climbing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock-climbing equipment</span> List of manmade gear

Rock-climbing equipment varies with the type of climbing undertaken. Bouldering needs the least equipment outside of shoes and chalk and optional crash pads. Sport climbing adds ropes, harnesses, belay devices, and quickdraws to clip into pre-drilled bolts. Traditional climbing adds the need for carrying a "rack" of temporary passive and active protection devices. Multi-pitch climbing adds devices to assist in ascending and descending fixed ropes. And finally aid climbing uses unique equipment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abseiling</span> Rope-controlled descent

Abseiling, also known as rappelling, is the controlled descent of a steep slope, such as a rock face, by moving down a rope. When abseiling, the person descending controls their own movement down the rope, in contrast to lowering off, in which the rope attached to the person descending is paid out by their belayer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solo climbing</span> Style of climbing performed alone

Solo climbing, or soloing, is a style of climbing in which the climber climbs a route alone, without the assistance of a belayer. By its very nature, it presents a higher degree of risk to the climber, and in some cases, is considered extremely high risk. Note that the use of the term "solo climbing" is generally separate from the action of bouldering, which is itself a form of solo climbing, but with less serious consequences in the case of a fall. The most dangerous form of solo climbing is free solo climbing, which means both climbing alone and without any form of climbing protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lead climbing</span> Technique of rock climbing

Lead climbing is a technique in rock climbing where the lead climber clips their rope to the climbing protection as they ascend a pitch of the climbing route, while their second remains at the base of the route belaying the rope to protect the lead climber in the event that they fall. The term is used to distinguish between the two roles, and the greater effort and increased risk, of the role of the lead climber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock climbing</span> Type of sport

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Scout jamboree (Boy Scouts of America)</span> Quadrennial event organized by the Boy Scouts of America

The National Scout jamboree is a gathering, or jamboree, of thousands of members of the Boy Scouts of America, usually held every four years and organized by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Referred to as "the Jamboree", "Jambo", or NSJ, Scouts from all over the nation and world have the opportunity to attend. They are considered to be one of several unique experiences that the Boy Scouts of America offers. The first jamboree was scheduled to be held in 1935 in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Scouting, but was delayed two years after being cancelled due to a polio outbreak. The 1937 jamboree in Washington attracted 25,000 Scouts, who camped around the Washington Monument and Tidal Basin. The event was covered extensively by national media and attended by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prusik knot</span> Type of knot

A Prusik is a friction hitch or knot used to attach a loop of cord around a rope, applied in climbing, canyoneering, mountaineering, caving, rope rescue, ziplining, and by arborists. The term Prusik is a name for both the loops of cord used to tie the hitch and the hitch itself, and the verb is "to prusik". More casually, the term is used for any friction hitch or device that can grab a rope. Due to the pronunciation, the word is often misspelled Prussik, Prussick, or Prussic.

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Robert John Slater was an American mountaineer known for his first ascent of the big wall route Wyoming Sheep Ranch on El Capitan. A tireless outdoor recreationalist, Slater built up an impressive climbing resume during his college years and later as he worked as a trader on the Chicago Board of Trade and for Goldman Sachs. He died on August 13, 1995, while descending from the summit of K2.

Todd Richard Skinner was an American rock climber and expert in big wall climbing. He made the first free ascents of many routes around the world, including his historic first free ascent with Paul Piana in 1988 of the Salathe Wall on El Capitan in Yosemite; it was one of the first-ever big wall climbs at 5.13b (8a), and led to the birth of "free climbing" Yosemite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eldorado Mountain</span> Mountain in Colorado, United States

Eldorado Mountain is a mountain summit on the eastern flank of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 8,344-foot (2,543 m) peak is located 8.1 miles (13.1 km) south by west of downtown Boulder, Colorado, United States. The mountain is largely in Boulder County but it straddles the border and its southern flanks are located in Jefferson County. Its name was probably borrowed from the nearby community of Eldorado Springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 National Scout Jamboree</span>

The 2010 National Scout Jamboree was the 17th national Scout jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America and was held from July 26 to August 4, 2010 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. The 2010 National Scout Jamboree celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America and was the last jamboree held at Fort A.P. Hill. With more than 50,000 in attendance, the 2010 National Scout Jamboree was the largest overall since 1973, and the largest at a single location since 1964. All subsequent jamborees have been held permanently at The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, the Boy Scouts of America's fourth High Adventure base. This was also the first jamboree to include Venturing programs.

High Adventure Bases of the Boy Scouts of America are outdoor recreation facilities located in several locales in North America operated by the Boy Scouts of America at the organization's national level. Each facility offers wilderness programs and training that could include wilderness canoeing, wilderness backpacking trips, or sailing, and provide opportunities for Scouts to earn the 50-Miler Award. These bases are administered by the High Adventure Division of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, often shortened as Summit Bechtel Reserve (SBR), located in Fayette and Raleigh counties, near Beckley, West Virginia, is one of four facilities managed by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The others are Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Northern Tier National High Adventure Bases in Minnesota, as well as Manitoba and Ontario in Canada, and Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in the Keys. The Summit Bechtel Reserve is the current home of the National Scout Jamboree, the Paul R. Christen National High Adventure Base, the James C. Justice National Scout Camp, and the John D. Tickle National Training and Leadership Center. The reserve comprises properties totaling over 14,000 acres (57 km2). The facility's opening event was the 2013 National Scout Jamboree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 National Scout Jamboree</span>

The 2013 National Scout Jamboree was the 18th national Scout jamboree held by the Boy Scouts of America from July 15, 2013, to July 24, 2013. It was the first national Scout jamboree held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia and the first jamboree to include Venturers as participants. Attendance was 40,795 Boy Scouts, Venturers, volunteers and staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">24th World Scout Jamboree</span> 2019 Scouting event in West Virginia, US

The 24th World Scout Jamboree was held at the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve in West Virginia from 22 July to 2 August 2019. The hosting duties were split between the Boy Scouts of America, Scouts Canada, and Asociación de Scouts de México. The theme was Unlock a New World. Over 40,000 Scouts and leaders from 152 nations attended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 National Scout Jamboree</span>

The 2017 National Scout Jamboree was the 19th national Scout jamboree held by the Boy Scouts of America, from July 19, 2017 to July 28, 2017. It was the second National Scout Jamboree held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. The theme of the jamboree was "Live Scouting's Adventure".

References

  1. 1 2 "World's Biggest Climbing Structure". Climbing Business Journal. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  2. Cogley, Christopher (September 2013). "Biggest Climbing Wall Has Even Bigger Impact". Outdoor USA Magazine: 12. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Documentary: The World's Largest Outdoor Climbing Structure" (Video File). YouTube: Eldorado Climbing Walls. 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.