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Winter climbing destination NY/NJ/PA

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Raul P · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 35

I'll be traveling over a few weeks late December in the area. Are there any good winter/cold weather rock areas?

What's the Delaware water gap like if it doesn't snow? I was there two years ago and missed it, everything was covered.

Thanks.
Doug S · · W Pa · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 55

It may be a little bit of a drive, but try Harper's Ferry MD. Balcony Jr. has some 1 pitch trad and bolt lines... south-facing limestone that gets a lot of sun.
MaraC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2011 · Points: 10

Ralph Stover in PA is south-facing and pretty sheltered, so it stays pretty warm in the winter. I personally think the rock is awful, but plenty of people disagree with me. YMMV. :D

There are plenty of places in the Gunks that are climbable in the winter, if it's sunny and you stay out of the wind. The Black Fly alcove comes to mind (my partner and I have been hailed by passing x-c skiers while we've been on Shit or Go Blind).
Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,960

CT has some great winter climbing spots. . .
MojoMonkey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 66
Safe Harbor may be worth a look. I haven't been in winter, but it is south facing with dark rock and tends to be warm on cool days. It also seems to seep from the top for a while after rain so I've no idea how snow on top may make the climbing.
Crossing · · Breinigsville, PA · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 1,621

Really depends on the weather, bouldering at Haycock Mtn and Mount Gretna will probably be in good condition. Safe Harbor/Ralph Stover in December might be OK if you get some warm sunny days.
Raul P · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 35

Thanks for the replies. I'll target those areas, hopefully there are some mild weekends this December.
kenr · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 16,608
MojoMonkey wrote:Safe Harbor may be worth a look.
Yes, it has what I think is the best winter exposure of all: SouthWest.

Because in winter you likely want to climb in the afternoon because it's just warmer. So Southwest exposure adds the best afternoon sun exposure to the warmest time of day.

Ken
Gail Blauer · · Gardiner, NY · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 1,051

Birdsboro (sport climbing) has quite a few climbs in the sun.
James Sweeney · · Roselle Park, NJ · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 30

Raul,

The climbing is always great in the Gunks, no matter what the weather is.

youtube.com/watch?v=ZtnTls0…
joeforte · · palmerton, pa · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 404

The warmest cliffs are: safe harbor, the eagle cliff, paradise, boxcar rocks, stover, the Sunday slab...
Raul P · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 35

Thanks everybody!
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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