Mountain Skills Climbing Guides and Gunks Rock Climbing Instruction
Gunks Rock Climbing – 845-853-5450 – www.mountainskills.biz – Guiding the Gunks and BeyondArchive for July, 2008
Summer Camp Season
It is that time of year when the kids have the summer off and head to camp for a couple of weeks. I remember my summer camp had a big lake to swim in and we could practice archery and paint. Summer camps nowadays take kids climbing, rappelling, go to water parks, amusement parks, hiking, caving, horseback riding and the list goes on.
Rappelling at Stone Mountain Farm
I really have a lot of fun on summer camp days. The kids are all enjoying themselves and it’s fun to see people get over fear of heights or learning the importance of foot work during the day. I’m adding a couple of photos of a recent summer camp group rappelling out at the farm.
Rappelling at Stone Mountain Farm
3 H’s
Hit the cliff with Debby and the 3 H’s. Hot, hazy, and humid was the call for the day. We decided to climb some multi-pitch routes in the Near Trapps during the morning and stay close to the ground and in the shade later in the day. I did the Layback 5.5 as a warm up and to get the coffee shakes out of me. Next was Yellow Ridge 5.7. Pitch 3’s exposure is amazing, nothing but air in all directions. Debby had no problem at all with either route and easily cruised each crux. We finished the day with Frog’s Head 5.6- and Grease Gun Groove 5.6.
Debbie on pitch 1 of Yellow Ridge 5.7 Near Trapps
The Near Trapps is a nice way to escape the crowds on a busy weekend. Hike all the way to the end and enjoy the day climbing alone.
Debbie at pitch 2 belay Yellow Ridge 5.7 Near Trapps
Beatin’ the heat
Temps and humidity really dictate my off day climbing in the Gunks. On super hot and humid days it’s nice to hit up the higher elevation cliffs and climb in the chasms of Lost City. If it gets really hot you can always take a dip before, during, or after climbing at Split Rock swimming hole. I got spanked pretty good on this stepped off-width crack. Wes Converse and Mark Folsom are some where in the background doing their version of cheering (laughing) for me.
Doug Ferguson climbing 5.9 offwidth at Lost City
Doug Ferguson climbing 5.9 offwidth at Lost City
Summertime rollin’ right along
We’ve been doin all sorts of fun stuff with fun people lately. Roger, Brendan, Wes and I had time to do Adopt-A-Highway for Mountain Skills Climbing Guides in the Minnewaska State Park Preserve. We managed to pick up a good amount of garbage on our first try. It’s amazing how many returnables we picked up. That’s 5 cents people!!! Recycle it!!! We are also sponsoring an area up in the Catskill Mountains for a clean up as well. Everyone has been taking trips out and group trips like Outdoor Bound have been a real blast lately. If you have not heard of Outdoor Bound and live in the city or surrounding areas check them out for hiking, mountain biking, sailing, hang gliding, and just about any other cool thing you could think of. We thought the rock climbing, mani-pedi, wine tasting combo would be a real hit.
Roger Ennis, Brendan Mealia, and Wes Converse Adopt A Highway by the Peterskill
Doug Ferguson hiking Hamilton Point at Minnewaska Sate Park Preserve
My wife Christie and I also took a hike up to Castle Point and Hamilton Point the other day. Wow what a lot of rock just waiting to be had.
Stone Mountain Farm 5.8
Noah
Noah on pitch 1 Strickley to Nowhere 5.7
Noah is a long time climber with Mountain Skills Climbing Guides. Recently we went out so he could figure out the gear on Stickley’s From Nowhere 5.7 at the crux roof. Noah had stated he wanted to lead it this coming July the 4th. Noah if you are out there we are rooting for you and we know that once you get the red alien in at the roof you are gonna make it. Go Noah Go!!!!
