Rock Climbing at the Gunks - June & September 2008
The Gunks (aka The Shawnagunks) is generally considered as the premiere rock climbing area on the east coast. Partially this is because it is only an hour from New York City and has super easy access, but also because it has hundreds of really high quality climbs on good rock. I had been here one time in 2007, but I wanted to come back and climb some of the ultra classic routes. As such I hired a guide and came midweek to make sure I could get on the climbs that I wanted. On my 2nd trip in September I decided I was ready to make my first trad lead. My criteria was that if I felt comfortable to free solo the route, I would lead it. We picked out the first pitch of Northern Pillar which I subsequently cleanly lead.
June Climbing
Horseman (5.5)
Classic (5.6)
High E (5.6) - This is THE classic route at the Gunks, if not the entire east
coast
Silhouette (5.7)
August Climbing
Madam G (5.6)
CCK (5.7) - This runs a close 2nd to High E in the classic route category
Fingerlocks or Cedar Box (5.5) - Mock led
Northern Pillar 1st Pitch (5.3) - First trad lead
 Looking
up at CCK |
 My
EMS guide on both trips was Patty |
 Coming
up Pitch 1 on CCK |
 Enjoying
the belay ledge on CCK |
 Leaving
the belay ledge on CCK |
 Trying
to figure out the delicate moves on the crux of CCK |
 Topping
out on CCK |
 My
first trad lead on Northern Pillar |