Pondbank (White Rocks and Brown Rocks)
Submitted by: Jeff O'Farrell
Description
White Rocks is a beautiful outcrop of white quartzite (Antietam Formation, Early Cambrian age) on the west face of the Rocky Mountain facing west into the Cumberland valley, in Franklin County Pennsylvania.
Climbs at White Rocks are predominately single pitches, and as high as 125 feet on the major Pillars. There are several sport routes, but the bulk of the climbs are traditionally (Trad) protected.
Getting There
From the north: From US 30, turn south onto PA 997 to Pond Bank (approx. 2.2 miles).
From the south: From PA 16, square in Waynesboro, PA, turn north onto PA 997 towards Mont Alto. Follow PA 997 to Pond Bank.
At the intersection of PA 997 and White Rock Road turn right (from the south) or left (from the north) towards the mountain. Go straight toward the mountain entering Michaux State Forest. Park in the lower parking lot at the water towers access gate (approx. 1.9 miles).
Photos
White Rocks as seen from the Cumberland Valley
Mister Gut Wrench follows the offwidth to the top.
Jim's Throne on the left, Sign Of Zorro on the right.
The view from Wise Crack.
Pond Bank has a handfull of awesome cracks like this one Wise Crack. Check out Mr. Gut Wrench, Pigs in Space, Glens Roof and Cohens Crack (very short but sweet) also if you want to jam a little.
A beautiful offwidth overlooking a beautiful valley.
Way of the Alpine Buddha Boulder.
Brown Rocks Bouldering.
Brown Rocks offers couple of racks that are a pleasure to jam. This is `Born to be Wild` also check out `Five Star Crack.`
Exploration Wall has a lot of potential. As of 2/13/2013 no routes exist, totally virgin rock. There is more to this wall than the appealing overhanging left most block. Some fine, fun, classic low 5th class to moderates can exist with the occasional harder route. Everyone/anyone is welcome to a first ascent for now.
Exploration Wall`s "Pur-plex-ploration". The small roof is just out of the picture below. Exploration Wall is still very dirty but with potential for more routes. The climber with an eye for detail will find another quality route or two for sure. Many more, less than ideal (still appreciative) routes exist also.
Patriot Act, 5.4, Calvins Slabs
Northern Pillar, 5.8, Coroners Area. If you just use the crack for hands and do not use the main wall (to the left and just out of picture) its harder than 5.8. Overhanging and solid with a small roof pull to finish.
The Tabless Bitch Boulder. 13ft of vertical and overhanging sloper heaven. Check it out down and in front of the Craggy Pine Area.
Comments
The Stoned Master Jan 29, 2013
This place has at least a couple of solid, worthy routes in each grade all the way up to 5.10 (where my experience ends for now...). Cracks and face climbing mixed with features (roofs, corners, aretes, chimneys, etc) brings a healthy amount of variety.
Short Pennsylvania crags not enough adventure for you? This area is an excellent "training ground" for the multi-pitch/alpine routes of the world.
There are some fun boulder routes. So at Pond Bank you can rock out some strength/power sessions, some endurance sessions (many moderate roped routes) and some power-endurance sessions. This place is a fine "training ground" for sure.
The Stoned Master Jan 31, 2013
Pond Bank is as frustrating at first to navigate (locate areas/routes) as the Shawangunks, New York. Locate landmarks in the photos, photos are your friend here for navigating due to so many (similar) features. Hopefully this helps:
Areas starting from closest to the parking lot (starting far south for white rocks and heading North):
Rock one (closest to forest road)
Indian rocks
Hidden delights
Lonely slabs
Last of the summer wine
Hard scramble corner
Zorro was here
Coroners south (just coroners on mtn proj)
Coroners north (just coroners on mtn proj)
Calvin`s slab
Pillar #2
Jim`s throne
Angulation wall
Glen`s roof area
Craggy Pines
Binocular rocks
Pulpit area
Way of the alpine buddha boulder (no trail to it as of yet)
The Stoned Master Feb 1, 2013
ANCHORS: only the `angulation` wall has bolted top anchors. There is a rappel chain inbetween `Jim`s Throne` and `Pillar 2`. If your rope gets stuck (not the best overall setup) there is a cave in the area that you can climb up/through.
You'll have to build your own anchors on top for most climbs and walk off or walk on the cliffs top to the rappel chain. There are enough options for anchor placements that most people have no problem building safe/strong anchors.
There are plenty of trees, rock horns or boulders on top a lot of areas that easily/safely (for the trees) allow you to leave webbing (or whatever you use to rappel). Please DO NOT wrap your rope around a tree to rappel, it has been proven time and time again to hurt the trees. BRING WEBBING IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WALK OFF and be mindful how and where you leave it.
This area is top rope only accessible (no leading required). Be mindful that not all
areas tops are easy to get to without leading, some will require effort to find a route of least resistence.
The Stoned Master Feb 11, 2013
The area layout/description above (previous comment) is for White Rocks or North of the road (when driving in, facing the ridge, on the left of the road). Here is for South of the road or Brown Rocks:
Take the 4x4 trail across from the `Rock One Area`, cross over the creek (right near the road) and at the first chance to veer/take a left do so. Follow this up (you'll see an old very small quarry like area) and keep right and follow the foot path to Brown Rocks.
Brown Rocks (closest to road eading South or right when driving in)
Brown Rocks Boulders (in front of/West of Brown Rocks and in between Brown Rocks and Exploration Wall)
Exploration Wall
Then its the State Forest Boundary
© 2013 Mountain Project Inc.
