Jun 1, 2012, 6:05 AM
Post #1 of 8
(918 views)
Shortcut
Registered: Mar 22, 2012
Posts: 3
looking for crags in Pennsylvania
Report this Post
Average:
(0 ratings)
Can't Post
hi there,
we'll be around Phily for about three weeks from mid july to august. does anybody have any recommendations for good sport climbing areas. we'll have 2-3 days for climbing and camping at the most, so we dont want to drive to far.
Ralph Stover isn't too far from Philly. I know there's one bolted climb (near the practice wall) but for the most part it's TR climbing with a lot of bolt and chain anchors. Worth visiting.
Birdsboro is all sport climbing. Never been there, but it's within driving distance of Philly.
And then there's Safe Harbor, which I believe has sport climbing as well. I haven't visited this area yet either.
we'll be around Phily for about three weeks from mid july to august. does anybody have any recommendations for good sport climbing areas. we'll have 2-3 days for climbing and camping at the most, so we dont want to drive to far.
thanks, guy
Safe Harbor is probably the best bet; there's a website for it. Birdsboro is closer. Neither are stellar but Safe Harbor has more to offer.
Stover is really a TR area, trad climbing is bad due to rock type/quality. Not my favorite place to climb at all.
The bird (Birdsboro) is all sport, fun climbing and you can camp in the quarry (primitive camping, no running water, a porta potty open during the day). You would have to carry everything in from the parking lot and cross the creek twice with all of your gear (if you come in from the bottom). The approach from the top (no creek crossing) or the bottom is about 1 mile on a washed out asphalt road.
There are a few multi pitch climbs. The 120+ climbs range from 5.4 to 5.14. Overhanging to slab. Rock quality is suspect on some walls, but, overall, it's a fun spot. The bird has sunny and shady climbs. There is a campground at French Creek State Park (about 8 miles from the climbing). Route listing can be found here: http://www.readingrocks.com/Downloads/birdsboro.pdf
Safeharbor is great, but, if the weather is hot, its really a "no go". The rock is black and there is NO shade (it's a railroad bed). You will wilt in 10 minutes if you go there in the heat.
Governor Stable bouldering, great diabase, lots of problems clustered in a much smaller area than Haycock, ~2 hrs west of Philly via the turnpike, $10 day pass: http://friendsofgs.org/
0 /
0%
