We’re now accepting applications for all positions. Please visit the Employment tab on the top toolbar on the homepage, READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION, submit your answers to the simple questionnaire, and if you have a resume feel free to email that using the email link.
Many thanks for your interest and support of the River Rock and the Roanoke region’s climbing community.
Welcome to The River Rock
Welcome to the beginning of what we hope will be a long, fun-filled, and fruitful adventure for the Roanoke Community. We’re diligently working to transform a portion of what was once an old ice factory here in the Historic Wasena Neighborhood, into a world class climbing gym that can be enjoyed by all members of our community and region; be they young or young-at-heart. For those who’ve already tasted the sweetness of what it means to scale a rock face and spend some quality time with your closest pals in the most beautiful outdoor settings, you know what’s waiting for you at The River Rock. Now you have a place to gather with friends, both old and new, and train for those outdoor climbing adventures, support others in this pursuit, as well as challenge yourself and others to continuously improve your skills. Yep, you can get in a good work out at the end of the day, have a few laughs, and stop by the Wasena City Tap House next door for a burrito and a beer. Not bad for a Tuesday night.
But it’s those folks who haven’t had the pleasure of climbing to new heights, both physically and mentally, or who haven’t spent a weekend immersed in the beauty of the natural world, that really excites us. The beauty of the sport of rock climbing is that it’s for everyone. Don’t think you’re athletic enough to do it, I’ll bet the gym on the fact that you’re wrong. Everyone can climb at some level, and the beauty is that as you continue to get better, there’s always something more challenging waiting for you. Plus the climbing community is like no other when it comes to accepting, encouraging, and supporting others who are new to the sport. It’s our dream that The River Rock will be a place that supports those already committed to outdoor recreation, while introducing and nourishing those who have never had access to the outdoors but who would both love and greatly benefit from spending a night under the stars or climbing to new heights on a limestone wall.
Stay tuned. We’ll keep you posted as to the progress of the gym’s development, and look forward to seeing your smiling faces thoroughly enjoying The River Rock very soon.
Cheers,
Brent
Indian Creek Red Rock Anyone?
Rockwerx is painting the gym and will be wrapping up construction by the end of the month. Check out this photo of the main boulder; a little Indian Creek red rock complete with water stains. They still have to punch out hold T-nuts and put a few finishing touches on, but we’re getting closer.
Rockwerx's Chas unleashing his inner-artist on the wall
It’s not quite as simple as going to the hardware store and picking up a few cans of “Red Rock” paint. Nope, Chas and his Rockwerx crew mix all of their own paint, spray on several coats, and then spray water on the wall to give the wall real water marks.
But why Red Rock in southwestern Virginia? We chose the Red Rock flavor for a number of reasons:
1. If you want to climb on limestone, there’s plenty already around.
2. We want folks to have an adventure when they visit our gym. Didn’t make it to Indian Creek this fall, no worries. We brought the high desert to you.
3. It just looks good and really gives the room some good organic color.
Oh yah, where Chas is spraying is an enclosure that will have six auto-belays. What’s an auto-belay? It’s a device that automatically belays the climber, so the climber doesn’t need a partner to belay them. They’re great for speed climbing competitions and for those who want to get a few climbs in but may not have a partner to climb with. Although if you spend just a couple of hours at the gym, I’m sure you’ll quickly befriend many climbing partners.