By Gregory McKnight
I decided to join the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club while self-isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic. After spending many hours inside, I thought back to a time when I was really happy just to be outside and I thought about Carderock Recreation Area. Carderock is what climbers refer to as a “crag”, a cliff or group of cliffs they find suitable for the sport. Carderock is small compared to many crags, the highest routes only go to about 50 feet, yet there are about 150 routes to choose ranging from beginner to advanced.
The Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club focuses on protecting the state's natural and wildlife resources, monitoring legislation, sponsoring outings, and educating the public about pressing environmental issues. Carderock is nearly 100 years old now and is an area that definitely needs routine maintenance, as throughout the years the Potomac River has errored much of the trails that surround the climbing area. I hope that by volunteering for the Sierra Club, I can get more of my friends into climbing and to contributing to the preservation of local Maryland outdoor areas!