Start this climb down the hill on the east face of the north pillar and head up and right to just shy of the arete. You somewhat lay away the outside corner with your right hand all the way to the top. I believe Keith Hall went and bolted this climb, as with all the other routes on the north pillar, but never climbed it.

Right Arm Eradicator

Anglers Arete

Golden ale

iron ring

No strings attached

Friday Cheers

James brownstone

john coal train

ring of fire

Hook Route

Throw Mama into the Train

Chessie

Spinner Bait

Thriller on the Pillar

climb the downstream face left of the right arm eradicator past good bolts to a new anchor. small crimps. bad slopers. good climbing.  aretes off.  probably the hardest bolted climb in town

This was my favorite climb in all of Richmond. Great position and moves straight up the outside corner. A little spicy at the top but it's all there. Move up and to the right, clipping a bolt before the ledge. Proceed up the arete and make sure you wave at the kayakers when they paddle by.

this climb has the newest bolts. climb up under the bridge for a short romp up some dusty edges.  i know someone must have a name and FA for this, but i haven't dug it up

mantle onto ledge then climb the N/E arete (downstream island side) mostly on the island face, past the giant iron bracket and several bolts, then onto the left face for a few moves and one bolt, then finish with one more bolt and anchors on the north face.

This was the first established climb on these pillars. I do not know when or who put it up. It sits on the east face of the south pillar. It had homemade hangers. Not sure if it has been re-bolted. It is a very pumpy climb. It is best to access this climb during low water.

A really nice casual climb up the outside corner of the west and north face of the north pillar. Pretty much the first climb you get to after surmounting the fence. This climb was or still is the most climbed route on Browns Island. You will need gear for the last piece of pro otherwise it’s mostly bolted. 

right bolt line on the island side face. mantle onto the ledge. uncomfortable first bolt if you cant reach from the ledge.  refreshingly diverse face climbing to new anchors. generally easier if you stay left/on the bolt line, but closer to 5.11 right of the bolts

mantle to the ledge and climb the left bolt line w/ arete off. tricky moves, wanders across the left half of the face and uses the only 2 finger pocket on the pillar up high.   it looks like it has bolts,  but one of the bolts for that arete (iron ring) is around the corner, so it would be a very runout sketchy lead.  its a cool climb though so TR it from Iron ring or hang a directional from James brownstone. anchors are far enough apart that alpine draws (slings) may be appropriate

A unique climb up the west face ( rt side) using only the metal pieces that stick out of the mortar and stone for pro. Kind of sketchy but there are ample places to loop a wired stopper throughout the climb. You probably don't want to take a leader fall but hanging on them should be ok. Hard to trust something that's been around since the civil war.

Keith bolted this one but I got the first lead. He belayed me on it so it wasn't like I stole it. When the train rolls over when you're climbing this route, it's a little unnerving. It is situated on the west face almost directly under the tracks.. I don't remember it being too spicy ( liberally bolted ).

mantle onto the ledge and climb the arete clipping the james brownstone bolts. easier than brownstone until the crux finish. slightly easier if you move onto the face when it gets stout. also reachy. finish on shiny new anchors. as with brownstone, the first bolt is uncomfortably high if you cant reach from the ledge

This climbed can be accessed from either the east corner ( Thriller on the Pillar) or from the west corner ( Anglers Arete ). It basically starts from the ledge and wanders up the south face of the south pillar following the line of bolts. One of the hangers spin and Keith is an avid fisherman, hence the name.

This climb is the arete to the left of No Strings Attached. There is a ledge about 15 ft up that traverses across the south face of the south pillar. You start this climb on the east face and move up and left to access the ledge. Take a breather before you move straight up the outside corner. This climb is a little spicy near the top. There are small metal pieces that stick out of the mortar and stone that you can hook with a wired stopper if you feel the need to hang on the rope between the bolts. That's how I bolted this climb on lead. Don't think I would want to whip on them though. Definitely an exciting climb.

These are the pillars on the north side of the James River opposite the Manchester Wall. The elevated train tracks split these pillars which are about 60ft tall. The north pillar climbs are easily accessed but the south pillar is partially in the river. Best to access those climbs during low water. You can climb in the shade or in the sun. You have to lead these climbs to gain the top anchors. It's been a good 15 yrs since I've climbed here so any input to the conditions of the bolts, anchors,etc would help. There is also climbs on the next smaller pillar out in the river. Since I put up most of these climbs I have no objection if someone updates the bolts and anchors.

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Location

Protection

Routes in Browns Island