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, 2009
Gunks Kids Rock Climbing Camps #2
Father and Son time on the belay ledge, start of pitch 2
Neko cruising pitch 2
Neko diggin the cave
I have finished up another Gunks Kids Rock Climbing Camp just this past week. This one was a little different from the last one I did in the start of the summer. This camp had Neko and his father Marek in attendance. We had a great week, mostly climbing in the Trapps. On the last day we headed up to Bonticou to escape the crowds of typical nice Saturday. I started on the two pitch Pin Line to get our multi-pitch climb in for the day. I wanted to show Marek and Neko the beauty of the top of Bonticou. On a nice day like Saturday the Catskills are impressive in full view. We headed back down the scramble to our packs to eat some food and drink some water. We decided to explore the cave below the climbing area since it was starting to get hot out. Neko and Marek loved checking out the cave! We climbed one more route before the sun became to oppressive for us. All three of us had a great time over the week. We managed to see a fox up close, got some good pictures of a copperhead and learned a lot of cool stuff about rock climbing in the Gunks. If you would like to sign up for a course like this or to create a course similar to this call Doug Ferguson 845-853-5450 or email info@mountainskills.biz
Gunks Kids Rock Climbing Camp
Neko at the Guides Wall
Neko lovin the Gunks
I am doing the second Gunks Kids Rock Climbing Camp right now with Neko and Marek. Neko is eight years old and Marek is his dad who wanted to come along for the ride as well. We have been climbing at the Trapps everyday this week. The weather has managed to hold out for us for the majority of the week. The three of us have been going over correct belaying, rappelling, safety commands and single and multi-pitch climbing at a easy to moderate grade. This camp is a great way to get kids outside and on the rock. If you would like to sign up for the Gunks Kids Rock Climbing Camp or to take your kids rock climbing for a day or to call 845-853-5450 or email at info@mountainskills.biz
Gunks Climbing Guides getting busy in the Gunks and Catskills
Mountain Skills Climbing Guides has been pretty busy for the past couple of weeks. The summer is turning out to be pretty good with groups of all sizes climbing with us in the Gunks and Catskills. We started a Gunks Singles Climbing Group on Wednesday’s for people who would like to climb at a reduced rate. If you are a single and would like to climb with others mid week this is the deal for you. Weekends have been busy with church groups, Boyscout Troops and outdoor adventure groups climbing, caving, scrambling and canyoning. If you have a group that is interested in something different and exciting give us a call at 845-853-5450 or email www.mountainskills.biz for more information.
PCGI Lead Guide Exam at the Gunks
Nick Farley seconding a route on the PCGI Lead Guide Exam while Doug Ferguson belays off the anchor
PCGI Instructor Nick Farley taking advantage of a teachable moment on Jackis 5.5
Another amazing view in the Gunks
Ralph Schimmenti and Doug Ferguson took and passed the PCGI Lead Guide exam from PCGI Lead Guide Instructor, Gunks Guide and Mountain Skills Climbing Guide Nick Farley over the week. We had previously taken the PCGI Course and Rescue Assessment from Nick in the Gunks. This course was great for honing in on better short pitching techniques, rescue techniques for using non mechanical belay devices and overall guiding practices.
Gunks Multi-Pitch Classics
Ben climbing the second pitch of Baby 5.6
Friday I had Ben out for the day to climb a bunch of classics on the Son of Easy O wall. It was busy in the beginning so I climbed Easy O to the GT Ledge to start on the second pitch of Baby. Once at the top I short pitched Ben over to the Frog’s Head bolts and rapped down to the Maria corner 5.6+. We climbed the corner and the last wild roof pitch to the top of the cliff. The clouds were really amazing so we just sat around for a little while before heading back to the City Lights bolts. Once we rapped back down for some food and water we finished the day by climbing Frog’s Head 5.6- to the top again. Wow what a amazing day. If you would like to have a day like this added to your climbing resume email info@mountainskills.biz or call 845-853-5450 to set up a reservation.
