Pitch 2 of Beginner's Delight 5.3 Trapps

Monday I guided Joe and Suzanne in the Trapps.  I have been guiding these two for a couple of days.  We decided to start the day with Beginner’s Delight 5.3.  This route is the best of its grade.  The exposure on pitch 3, belay situations and excellent rock quality make it a total classic.  After the long rappel off the Madam G’s ledge we headed down to Frog’s Head 5.6-.  Both pitches on Frog’s Head are fantastic.  Totally different from each other.  We finished the day with the three star classic City Light’s 5.8-.  It’s hard to complain about life with routes and weather like this.

Carla on pitch 2 of Gelsa 5.4 in the Near Trapps

Dickey Barre in the Peterskill

Saturdays for the last three weeks have been a wash in the Gunks, but any other day has been pretty amazing.  Mid-week climbing right now is really good.  The temps have been very comfortable and the rock has been dry.  The leafs are a beautiful yellow across the ridge line.  This makes sitting on the GT Ledge even that much better.  The local farms are once again busy selling fall favorites.  The next couple of weeks should be great.

High Exposure 5.6 just before the GT Ledge

Chuck Boyd climbing the last pitch of High Exposure 5.6 in a October snow storm

Full conditions in the Gunks

Well all I can say is yesterday was pretty interesting and fun.  Chuck Boyd and a friend went to the Trapps to climb High Exposure 5.6+.  I decided to tag along and take some pictures.  The weather report was for precipitation around 5pm or so.  I think we made it to 12:00pm before we were in a full on mid-October snow storm.  The snow started to stick to fallen leaves and spider webs.  I’m sure the spiders were caught by surprise as well.  This short lived taste of winter won’t last long.  Hopefully we can get back to some real fall weather.

Mark Folsom guiding Classic 5.7 at the Trapps

Looking down the cliff line at the Near Trapps and Millbrook

 The fall colors in the Gunks are really popping right now.  It seems if you turn your head they are a different color.  The Adirondacks and White Mountains are already receiving snow in the higher elevations.  With the cooler temps hitting earlier this year it’s time to get to the cliff and climb some classics while it’s still warm out.  We are running daily climbing trips to the Gunks.  If you would like one or two last hoorah’s outside call 845-853-5450 or check out or web site at www.mountainskills.biz

Chuck Boyd climbing near the Arrow Wall

Sabastian climbing to the anchor on Frogs Head 5.6-

Doug Ferguson climbing Annie O 5.8 on the Arrow Wall

We had some amazing days here in the Gunks last week.  It is that perfect weather right before things turn south for the winter.  Warm, dry, no bugs, no humidity and during the week no crowds.  October is shaping up to be great this season.  We have a ton of fun things going on in the New Paltz area.  The slide shows at Rock and Snow and the New Paltz Climbing Film Fest are a total blast.  Traditionally the fall is the best time to enjoy the Gunks.  If you would like to schedule a climbing or any other trip we offer give us a call at 845-853-5450 or email info@mountainskills.biz

Ralph Schimmenti climbing the first pitch of Erect Direction

Pitch 2 of CCK 5.7+

Wow!!!  What a weekend for climbing in the Gunks.  The weather couldn’t have been any better.  We did a ton of interesting trips this weekend.  Guided group hikes, guided rock climbing and guided scrambling trips all went out enjoying what this area has to offer.  Wes Converse even guided Moby Grape 5.8 III on Cannon in New Hampshire on Monday.  Congratulations to Wes and Sarah for climbing Moby Grape.  With the fall weather starting to take hold now is the time to get some amazing climbing in with us.  Call 845-853-5450 or email info@mountainskills.biz for reservations.  You can always check out our website www.mountainskill.biz for different courses.

Family fun in the Gunks

Enjoying what the day has to offer

We seem to have a lot of families rock climbing in the Gunks recently.  Whether it’s fathers climbing with sons or uncles climbing with nieces and nephews.  The possibilities are endless. Families seem to be getting in the last  days of summer together before school starts again.  It’s good to see them get closer to each other as the day moves on.  Offering words of encouragement or joking around and just enjoying each other company.  Sometimes that’s what all this is about, just getting back in touch with each other during our hectic lives.  We love showing families our special places to climb.  If you would like to climb with us call 845-853-5450 or email info@mountainskills.biz

Mike climbing Horseman 5.5 at the Trapps

Mike pulling the exposed crux on Maria 5.6+ pitch 3

Windham High Peak trail

I got a call from a mom overseas that she wanted me to take out her 17 year old son on a day and a half overnight.  Seems like a good amount of fun to me, lets make it happen.  I go over a list of over night gear and hiking gear Mike is going to need on a initial phone call.  The weather report couldn’t be any better with a high pressure system overhead and cool weather at night for August.  We meet at Rock and Snow in New Paltz at 9:00am to go over waivers and to get our rock climbing gear for the day.  Mike and I headed up to the Trapps to climb for the day before going to the Catskills to hike Windham High Peak.  Our first route of the day is Horseman 5.5.  I really like the variety of climbing on this route.  The corner is a blast and the exposed traverse is still  heart pounding.  After a tandem rappel back to our packs we head over to climb Frog’s Head 5.6 with Maria’s last pitch at 5.6+ to add some length.  Wow what a link up!!  Each pitch is just amazing.  I short pitched Mike over to the City Light’s bolts and we both tandem rappelled down to our backpacks.

The day of rock climbing was pretty much over at that point since we need to get into the Catskill’s and hike up to the lean to on Windham High Peak 3,524 ft.  I picked this hike because of the views at the top and the ease of getting to the lean to on the approach in.  The lean to is just over a mile from the parking area on Peck Road.  We blasted up to the lean to in no time.  Mike and I both decided to make the push for the summit to get in a really big full day.  Reaching the summit right around nightfall it was time for some food, amazing views and some rest.

The next morning was amazing with not a cloud in the sky and full on view of the Adirondacks, Green, Taconic’s and Berkshires mountain ranges.  After some coffee to warm us up and some more amazing views we headed back down into the quiet forest.  It was really peaceful to be in the woods at that time of the day.  Once we made it back to the car we drove back to New Paltz to meet Mike’s dad.  I have to say the Gunk’s Catskill’s link up was pretty amazing.  If you would like to have a two or three day trip like this call 845-853-5450 or email info@mountainskills.biz