Den Rock, a 30 foot granite cliff located on the border of Lawrence and Andover, is a great training wall for locals and a favorite among beginning climbers. For many people, a toprope session out here is their first outdoor climbing experience. For others, Den Rock provides some early season or after-work training for Pawtuckaway, Rumney, and beyond. The name comes from a prominent cave/chimney in which the devil is said to have dwelt. It's likely the best and most substantial crag along I-93 north of Boston, and as such it frequently sees visitors from across NE Mass and southern NH. The rock is pegmatite, a sharp, crystalline granite that will wear your fingers to the bone. Much of the climbing is toproping (new TR anchors atop the first five faces), but it is possible to lead a small number of cracks. In addition, the bouldering is quite good. Several short parts of the cliff band and outlying boulders mean that there are plenty of moderate problems and hard eliminates that will get you strong now. In short, Den Rock is no destination, but absolutely worth checking out as an easy-access training crag.
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