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schneefalke42
Sep 17, 2010, 10:10 AM
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Registered: Sep 18, 2008
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I'll be in the Philly area on the 8th and 9th of October, and would love to do some climbing, and hopefully get a chance to plug some gear.
Thanks,
Kyle
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gblauer
Moderator
Sep 22, 2010, 5:40 PM
Post #2 of 10
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Registered: Oct 3, 2002
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wouldn't plug gear at stover, the rock is way too soft.
You can sport climb at Birdsboro.
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calgirl26
Nov 1, 2010, 4:48 PM
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Registered: Feb 14, 2010
Posts: 5
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I really want to climb. Have equipment. Took top rope course. Been climbing since Jan. Been to Chickies Rock and High Rocks. I will go anywhere from Great Falls VA to PA.
If you are going again I can meet you wherever you are going to be.
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tomcat
Nov 6, 2010, 11:42 AM
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Registered: Sep 15, 2006
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Just a heads up. The rock at Stover is perfectly fine for any type of trad gear.With few exceptions all the routes have either been climbed on stoppers and hexes,or had bolts placed where cams were essential.
The rock is considerably harder than any you'd find around Moab for instance,including the Creek.
Carry on and have fun.
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joeforte
Nov 30, 2010, 8:17 PM
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Registered: May 9, 2005
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tomcat wrote: Just a heads up. The rock at Stover is perfectly fine for any type of trad gear.With few exceptions all the routes have either been climbed on stoppers and hexes,or had bolts placed where cams were essential. The rock is considerably harder than any you'd find around Moab for instance,including the Creek. Carry on and have fun.
I have to agree with Tomcat
I have personally climbed at both Stover and the Creek.
Indian Creek has these beautiful sandstone cracks that just BEG to be climbed. The climbing is amazing, but the gear is sometimes really hard to evaluate, due to the softness of the rock. I've never seen or heard of so many pulled cams. As you climb up these things, you see skate marks where cams have pulled... Very unnerving. Despite the marginal gear, the climbing is spectacular. I love climbing desert sandstone, because it's the closest you can get to soloing without pissing off your girlfriend! Some of the most amazing rock climbing of my life was in the Fisher Towers. Think about the guys that did those FAs on endless pitches of consolidated mud.
Stover, on the other hand, has way more reliable rock and gear placements. It gobbles nuts, TCUs, aliens, hexes. I don't carry or place any big cams, as the cracks there are usually highly irregular, and much easier to protect with nuts or hexes. Stover also has a lot of mellow terrain to get your feet wet, and the potential for loose rock and poison ivy, both of which will make you a much smarter, and thoughtful climber. Stover also hosts some of the finest single and multipitch routes in the state. It is a great winter spot due to it's southern exposure. Wear a helmet, climb smart, and you're guaranteed to have fun!
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michael1245
Dec 3, 2010, 10:49 AM
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Registered: Nov 23, 2010
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I'm going Ralph Stover this weekend. I'll let you know what I think.
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joeforte
Dec 3, 2010, 5:06 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Registered: May 9, 2005
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michael1245 wrote: I'm going Ralph Stover this weekend. I'll let you know what I think.
Piece of advice, stay off the really easy classics, especially the practice face. Those climbs feel like glass!
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michael1245
Dec 6, 2010, 6:36 AM
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Registered: Nov 23, 2010
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visited 12/5, climbed three different routes.
what is the rock called there...shale, slate? that "pancaked" slab rock? well, anyway...it was solid. no pieces breaking off or falling. Intersting type of rock to climb, as opposed to granite.
A lot of water had run down some of the routes, so there was some muddy conditions that you had to be mindful of. But, besides that...the wall faces the south and we had direct sunlight to keep us warm.
Great place to visit. Good variety of routes. Bolts were already in place on two of the routes.
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troutboy
Dec 6, 2010, 7:30 PM
Post #9 of 10
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Registered: Apr 25, 2003
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michael1245 wrote: visited 12/5, climbed three different routes. what is the rock called there...shale, slate? that "pancaked" slab rock? .
I think actually neither, but something in between - argillite.
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joeforte
Dec 7, 2010, 6:20 AM
Post #10 of 10
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Registered: May 9, 2005
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troutboy wrote: michael1245 wrote: visited 12/5, climbed three different routes. what is the rock called there...shale, slate? that "pancaked" slab rock? . I think actually neither, but something in between - argillite.
There is both Brunswick shale and Argillite at Stover.
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