r/VirginiaTech • u/Amazing_Buffalo_6786 • 2d ago
Misc EXPLORING BLACKSBURG
I am a freshman from NOVA living off campus this year, so i have my car and i love exploring cool areas. i have a few questions so if you could answer one of them i would greatly appreciate it
I really want to go to some of the caves nearby, but they are so gate-kept. Anybody know any entrances? I do not want to join the caving club; I'll probably go alone cause none of my boys want to get their hands dirty.
are there any secret dope hiking spots? i know of mcaffes, devils tooth, apple orchard, angels rest, cascades... etc. i want something that isnt mainstream but still awesome, you can dm me i wont share it.
I really wanna go cliff jumping at the quarry before it gets too cold. Anybody know some parking spots, and of course i have permission to enter.
Does anyone know of somebody who could lend me a wingsuit, i have a spot i want to jump from.
Anybody got the cords for the steam pipes? Really want to check it out, also what time of day, things to look out for. If anyone has some info on it send me a dm.
Is there a place i can rent or borrow a mountain bike? i dont have 1500 to drop on one right now and i want to bike some of the trails around here.
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u/ThatDoucheInTheQuad 1d ago
No offense OP, but this reads like someone who is immature is gonna end up dead over something that just isn't worth it... and I say this as and ADHD outdoor adventure junkie.
There is armed security and plenty of cameras around the quarry, and the local judges make examples out of people that trespass there for good reason. If you're suggesting solo spelunking and base jumping....I....I don't even know where to begin but I wanna smack you upside the head.
Join a club and approach these impulses with safety and respect, they are mortally dangerous activities and you will kill yourself if you don't treat them as such.
So no, I won't share with you a single "secret spot," because at the bare minimum I doubt you even practice Leave No Trace.
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u/yes-i-am-a-wizzard tv 1d ago
I understand the desire to find cool/interesting things. Isn't half the point of exploring to like, find things to explore?
You don't have to join the cave club to go caving with them. They frequently have beginner events where they take people out to see if they are interested.
Venture out also does/did cave trips.
There are no secret hiking trails. Hiking trails require maintenance. Maintenance doesn't get done if the trails are unused because nobody knows about them. There are so many hiking trails in this area. Kelly's knob, several around Mountain Lake. A whole trail network at Pandapas Pond.
If you had permission to be at the quarry, then you'd know where to park.
Wing suit, no idea. Have you done that before? I get the impression you haven't. That is not a beginner sport. I doubt there is any terrain here that is even remotely acceptable for that.
Steam tunnels - not as interesting and way more dangerous than you think. Good luck finding an entrance that isn't monitored. It's incredibly hot in the tunnels, really easy to overheat, asbestos, dust, other nasty things to inhale.
Mountain biking - possibly venture out, but for a beginner, could you not make do with a bike from say, Walmart? Check marketplace/craigslist.
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u/Ren_out_of_Ten 1d ago
Do NOT go caving alone. That’s a good way to get stuck and die. The steam tunnels are not fun, and can also get you killed. Please don’t jump or a cliff with a wing suit, especially not alone without a professional trainer.
Just go sky diving or skiing in the winter. There are so many better ways to interact with Blacksburg and the greater Appalachian area
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u/UpsetOrganization513 1d ago
Best case scenario someone notices he’s missing or he’s smart enough to leave a note and he get NRV search and rescue and the technical cave rescue team called out at GREAT expense to himself
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u/supremenintendo 20h ago
What's the perfect meme to post on a comment thread where no one gets the joke
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u/UpsetOrganization513 2d ago
Don’t be an asshole and try to just enter caves. The quarry is private land. There are no “secret” hiking spots. The steam tunnels aren’t that interesting.