rdale's Logbook (2 ascents)

Keith lead and I seconded this route. We love it! I recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, diverse climb at a low grade. Big flakes and lots of bomber hand and foot placements. The crux was psychological - there are very exposed aspects with a little overhang, but it is bomber all the way as far as hand and foot placements go. We did it in three pitches, which I don't recommend. The belay station at the top is sketchy - consisting of some very rusty quick links around slings on a small tree and backed up to a boulder and a chock stone in a crack. If you rap from there with one rope you will not reach the bottom, and there is no rap station midway. We traversed on a big ledge over to a pine tree and rapped off it. Not the best solution, but okay. The classic version of this climb does not top out, but the variation does, making it a 5.7.

This was my first multi-pitch climb after years of top-roping around Pennsylvania. My climbing partner, Keith, lead it and I seconded. We brought Kate up using a second rope I trailed behind me and clipped in after unclipping mine. I didn't fall, I was good and scared, and we all made it to the top. I LOVE the Gunks! This is a great first multi-pitch climb, even though it is over 200'. It looks harder than it is. The crux for me was a little right traverse at the top of pitch two. The rap down is FUN! Going back this weekend!