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Latest Southern Adirondack Rock Fest News
The 2009 Southern Adirondack Rockclimbers' Festival is History. Did you miss it? Look at the forecast and think "Nah"?
Those of us who didn't miss it had a fantastic time. We met, top-roped, bouldered a bit Friday afternoon; hiked up to Crane Mountain's summit or into the Boulderwoods and climbed in the rain on Saturday; then got to try out several brand spankin' new four-star routes at the Black Arches Wall on a sunny-sky Sunday.
Next year's venues are the crags on the Southern end of Lake George. Plans are underway to make Rocksport Climbing Gym our Hub. From there, we'll commute to several great climbing areas. Keep the Festival in mind for 2010.
Keep your eyes peeled on the Festival Website for developing news.
See you next year!
SRCFC Northeast Conference 2009
I was able to attend several episodes of the 2009 Solid Rock Climbers for Christ Northeast Conference last week, held in the Adirondacks. While the weather was far from optimum, we were still able to climb at several crags in the High Peaks and on Poko, as well. Here's the skinny on the those days.
I enjoyed the company, discussions, and devotions back in camp as well. I look forward to future conferences. I will definitely make a point of attending these if I possibly can.
New Route on Crane!
Jamie McNeill, Alyssia Catalfamo, & I made a quick stab at Jamie's project on the Black Arches Wall today. With a tight schedule and the route seeping from yesterday's torrential downpour, Jamie racked up and sent Plumb Line, a four-star shock-straight crack slicing the middle of a rock pillar right of last year's Black Arch Arête. At 5.10c and very-well protected with trad gear, this is the latest "must-do" line on Crane. More pictures HERE.
Along with later developments, this brings the tally of official BAW routes up to eight (with at least one more already led and several unfinished projects to go), including this year's FA of Carpenter & Das. Two routes warrant four stars, two warrant three...and, OK, the "old route" which is forgettable. There are several more stellar lines we're oggling out there, hoping to complete before this year's Southern Adirondack Rock Climber's Festival. And Plumb Line has yet to surrender its ubberdirect start: we opted to start a bit left and work over to the crack, because, simply put: that bottom twelve feet is doggone hard. Any takers? Meet us at this year's SAdkRF!
Guide to Crane Mountain Climbing
Part One: The Prows
For those who are heading up Crane Mountain and want to do some summit climbing, here is an Online Guide to the Prows, or Buttresses, that lie to the right of the summit ladder. While not the tallest cliff, it has the greatest density of routes on the mountaintop's ridge. Spectacular views, grand photo opps, good top-rope set-ups, and fun climbing for groups of all sizes are the highpoints here.
Moss Island Clean Up Day
We took a trip out to Little Falls to help during the clean up campaign that Rockclimbing.com's member adk directed on 23rd May. It was a great opportunity to see the climbing options there, give a little back to the climbing community, and see the sights. We stopped for a quick look at Nine Corners Boulders on the way home, too. Story & Pictures Galore.
FA: Anthem
After a long hiatus due to surgery, I'm back to typing! A long-overdue account of climbing an incredible ice line Jason B. had been slavering over for years is first up: FA: Anthem. Ice season may be over, but it is not forgotten!
Hike Along Crane Mountain's SE Flank
26th December, 2008
With the annual New Year's thaw fast approaching, I decided to take a walk past the Black Arches Wall to scout potential ice routes. Having seen at least one incredible possibility from afar every winter since moving here, I wanted to get close enough to confirm at least that one's viability, and suspected there might be quite a bit more, as well.
While the results are somewhat negative, at least for mere mortal ice climbers, the walk was worthwhile. Here is a winter glimpse into one of the more remote places on Crane Mountain.
Climbing Comp
20th December, 2008
Saturday provided a respite between snow storms, a fortuitous intermission because Rocksport Climbing Gym put on their winter climbing competition that night. I had never been to a "comp" before and thought it would be a good diversion to watch this one, so we drove down to join the fun.
Snowstorm Ascent
The worst snowstorm of the year has begun, the mercury is dropping like a rock, and it's going to get dark in a couple hours. Why not hike up Crane Mountain?
Autumn Climbing Recap 2008
Rock climbing season effectively ended three weeks ago. While winter won't start officially for another couple weeks, we have plenty of snow and ice on the ground now, and the mercury has dipped well under zero a few times already. Ice climbing season is upon us. Before sharpening the tools though, read the Autumn Climbing Recap. Lots of Crane Mountain stuff this year!
New Routes 2008
Twas a great year for FAs on Crane Mountain, plus of course finally completing our Big Gull Pond Project. Also included in New Routes 2008 are descriptions of several routes that were climbed in previous years but needed a bit of work to deserve mention.
Summer Climbing Recap
Summer 2008
The summer climbing season was so busy it has taken me two weeks to write it up! With trips to several Adirondack and Gunks crags, a few new routes, an intense instructional course, and the first annual Southern Adirondack Rock Fest, even an early start couldn't help get this article published on time. Finally, it is here: read all about My Big Climbing Summer
Debrief: 2008 Southern Adirondack Rock Fest
Virtually dit in advertising, late announcement, and lousy weather make the 1st Annual Southern Adirondack Rock Fest a low-turnout affair.
Despite this, we had one fantastic afternoon of Excellent Adventure, including a 25' leader fall. Read on for all the details.
Johnson Pond Cliff
Todd Paris showed me his secret climbing haunt and we took shots at some challenging routes at this as-yet unofficial climbing destination. Here's a short account of our trip.
Boulderers note: one doesn't have to use ropes to enjoy this area, though we opted for the higher stuff this time.
Snowy Mountain Rock Climbing
Climbing on Snowy Mountain
29th July, 2007
This is a bit late: no modem since Thursday... but now read all about Climbing on Snowy Mountain, complete with nice pictures.
Sharp's Bridge Cliff
An Afternoon's Worth of Fun, Moderate Climbing
29thJuly, 2008
Jason and I headed out to this new crag for a look-see and a climb or two - or six. We all but did it all in half a day's climbing. Here's a quick read of Our Sharp's Bridge Climbing Trip.
Stetinden
Climbing Norway's National Mountain
29th July, 2007
I'm skipping ahead a bit in my ever-so tardy account of our Norway trip, to cover my most exciting climb of 2007. Read all about an ascent of Stetinden, with plenty of nice pictures along the way.
Bio
I was asked to write up a short bio. Here It Is.
Not so short and sweet, but it will have to do.
Sunrise, Sunset, and Sunlight
Climbing isn't the only thing I do. Here's a quick collection of some Mountainside Views: Sunlight in Photographic format, concentrating on first and last light of the day.
Spring 2008 Climbing Synopsis
Twas a busy Spring season of climbing in 2008. Summer is looking to hold the same pace, so I'm looking forward to the best year ever. Meanwhile, here's a look back at Spring '08 climbing!
Last Ice Climb of the Season
And One Non-Ice Climb
13th and 17th March, 2008
We went to Jason's Secret Ice Climbing Place for our Last Ice climbing trip, and tried one more time to go, but instead opted for a pleasant and adventurous hike.
Icy Hikes
9th - 12th March, 2008
Here is a collection of activities I filled my free time with during mid-March. I call them Icy Hikes.
Oh...there are quite a lot of pictures. Lots'n'lots.
Variety Pack
Increasingly-cramped schedules and capricious weather have limited my opportunities to make Big Day Adventures for the past week. In their place, I've managed to sneak out for a few half-day explorations here and there. Rather than give an account for each one, I've clumped them altogether in One Big Post. Covered trips include a very short visit to Griffin Falls, another like it to Auger Falls, an evening at a climbing gym, a few hours along Crane Mountain's southeast flank, and another half-day climb up to its summit. Included are a few nice shots from the top. Enjoy.
Our Norway Road Trip
Solvorn, Feigefossen, and Urnes Stavkirke
I finally finished another section of our Norway Road Trip Account. This one covers Day Two of our Road Trip in Norway. We spent it exploring a few major attractions near our campground, The Eplet. This was one of the highlights in a trip full of great times.
Scoping Out Eleventh Mountain
25th February 2008
In anticipation of an ice-climbing trip, I walked along the Siamese Ponds Trail and bushwhacked in search of worthwhile climbing opportunities. As is often the case, the search didn't find anything definite, but it was a pleasant trip nonetheless.
The heavy snowfall we've just had made our planned trip untenable, so account may be all I get to cover about Eleventh Mountain this winter.
Hayes Mountain Ice Climbing
14thFebruary, 2008
Well, I asked for extreme physical exertion; I wanted a day out that would roundly 'kick my butt'. As the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for..."
We went out and climbed a New Ice Route on Hayes Mountain. It was an awesome, butt-stompin' foot-kickin' good time.
Afternoon Ice Climbing
3rd February 2008
This is a brief account of our Sunday afternoon jaunt on the Waterfall. Very few pictures, for once again the weather was mild and misty, with very flat lighting. But it's also A Quick Read, so enjoy what there is of it.
Up Huckleberry Mountain
26th January 2008
by Jay Harrison
I'm currently overloaded with stuff to do, particularly school studies. So I've put the Norway account aside for awhile, and will be posting shorter articles on the few trips I'm able to sneak away for when cabin fever gets too strong to deny. I hope to cover another Norway segment before the end of February '08 and post a brief description of an ice climb with some friends on SuperBowl Sunday.
Meanwhile, here's the story of my Huckleberry Ridge Walk
Norway Road Trip
Part 1
The continuing saga of our 25th anniversary trip to Norway; this installment begins our travels through the country, Day 1: From Bergen to Solvorn. This is the real beginning of the festivities, as it marks the end of the hindrances that beset us early on (for which see the Iceland or Bergen Installments).
Big Trip Part 4
Bergen, Norway
Continuing our recap of our 25th Anniversary trip, with the ongoing adventures of lost luggage and kidney stones! Read about our first few days in Bergen, Norway.
Our Big Trip
We celebrated our 25th anniversary this year by traveling to Norway, with a one-day layover in Iceland. The trip got off to a rough start. Read all about Our Mishaps and Adventures as we struggled to get this trip off the ground and deal with a few crises along the way.
New Year's Eve on Crane Mountain
Look back on the past year and ring in the new one with an Overnight on Crane Mountain.
Ice Climbing Crane Mountain's Waterfall Wall
My children gave me the perfect Christmas present: they accompanied me to the Waterfall Wall and went Ice Climbing There. Despite some alterations necessitated by our recent fluctuating weather, a fantastic time was had by all.
Winter Bushwhacking Up Crane Mountain
Trails make unfamiliar places accessible, but there's nothing like a hefty chunk of Bushwhacking to put the zest back into one's local haunt.