Car-less Climbing New York

Hey all,

Avid climber lacking in car here. I'm located out on Long Island, but spend most of my leisure time over in New Paltz.

When I'm lacking in partners, my partners also don't have cars, or I just want to toprope solo, I've historically talked myself out of heading to the cliffs due to lack of vehicle (This goes for New Paltz, Powerlinez, etc.)

I'm interested in how much one can get to in New York with mass transit, bikes, hitchhiking, etc.

Besides the standard hitch to the Gunks from town (any veterans have any words of wisdom here?), what are some easy access crags that us car deficient people should look into?

I'm also interested in seeing what kind of weekend Adirondack bike/climbing tour one could set up in this manner. I know there is a trailways drop off at the Noonmark diner which means one could easily get to chapel pond and nearby areas by bike, so that may be worth looking into.

Ideas? The only thing I can think of right now is just suck it up and hitchhike

P.S. Any ideas for ice season and getting to the catskills ice crags?

On Verizon I get a good cell signal in Keene now, so you could conceivably connect with other climbers through MP or various Facebook pages, meetup, etc. That would set you up for some ADK climbing at least.

For the Gunks, it sounds like you need some new climbing partners based out of NYC, and maybe consider taking the subway to them early in the AM to hitch a ride up for the day, then come back home via the subway that night. Maybe you'll luck out and find someone interested in staying the whole weekend.

I wonder if there's a shuttle service from New Paltz to the preserve (or take a cab). You could take the bus into NP and shuttle to the preserve. With the new campground set to be open in the Spring (2015) it would seem there's going to be more chances of getting to the Gunks for the whole weekend.

I take the bus from port authority to New Paltz many of the weekends during the season. Hitchhiking from new paltz to the trapps is very easy. I've never had to walk more than to the bridge out of town before someone picks me up. Worst case, walk into rock and snow and ask around. I can honestly say I've found a ride 100% of the time.

If you want to not hitchhike, you can take a cab from the bus station. I believe the rates are different if it's you and a partner, and sometimes they aren't there, but most weekends when the bus gets there you can get one. I can't remember exactly the cost of the cab, but it's not a deal breaker.

Kevin Heckeler wrote:On Verizon I get a good cell signal in Keene now, so you could conceivably connect with other climbers through MP or various Facebook pages, meetup, etc. That would set you up for some ADK climbing at least. For the Gunks, it sounds like you need some new climbing partners based out of NYC, and maybe consider taking the subway to them early in the AM to hitch a ride up for the day, then come back home via the subway that night. Maybe you'll luck out and find someone interested in staying the whole weekend. I wonder if there's a shuttle service from New Paltz to the preserve (or take a cab). You could take the bus into NP and shuttle to the preserve. With the new campground set to be open in the Spring (2015) it would seem there's going to be more chances of getting to the Gunks for the whole weekend.

It's funny since I've been looking for a new job for the past few months I've been toying around with the idea of "The Gunks Bus" basically a passenger van service to get people up to the parks

It would stop at the New Paltz Park and Ride, The bus station, The parking lot across the street from R&S then make its way to the Trapps, Peterskill, and finally Minnewaska. I think this would do particularly well with the college students and NYC clientele, but I have no idea how one could set this up or the legality behind it.

Could sell day passes, ten punch cards, and have a webpage, so that people could sign up for a given timeslot... I made the business plan months ago hah!

On another note, really the only times I need to work out extra transportation is during the week. Thankfully my main partners have cars, but if my girlfriend and I want to go climbing for the day we're a hosed.

WillamR wrote: It's funny since I've been looking for a new job for the past few months I've been toying around with the idea of "The Gunks Bus" basically a passenger van service to get people up to the parks It would stop at the New Paltz Park and Ride, The bus station, The parking lot across the street from R&S then make its way to the Trapps, Peterskill, and finally Minnewaska. I think this would do particularly well with the college students and NYC clientele, but I have no idea how one could set this up or the legality behind it. Could sell day passes, ten punch cards, and have a webpage, so that people could sign up for a given timeslot... I made the business plan months ago hah! On another note, really the only times I need to work out extra transportation is during the week. Thankfully my main partners have cars, but if my girlfriend and I want to go climbing for the day we're a hosed.

Someone tried this about 25 years ago. The ridership wasn't sufficient and the economics didn't work (to say nothing of the insurance - you'll need at least $500K in coverage for damage/loss and $2M+ liability plus usual business insurance - and licensing costs). That was then and maybe things are different enough now ...so do your market research carefully.

There was a gunks shuttle from Brooklyn to the trapps organized by (or at least advertised by) the Brooklyn Boulders gym in Brooklyn. You might try calling them for info. LIRR to the A,C,E line would get you to the bus.

rogerbenton wrote:There was a gunks shuttle from Brooklyn to the trapps organized by (or at least advertised by) the Brooklyn Boulders gym in Brooklyn. You might try calling them for info. LIRR to the A,C,E line would get you to the bus.

It wasn't run by bkb, but they advertised for it. I don't think she did it this year, but honestly it wasn't very convenient and wasn't that cheap. I don't mind taking the bus and it's always on time, you just have to pay attention to the schedule on weekends, because it's a little bit different.

Can you rent a car? It's not as bad if you share with one or two people. Zipcar is $110? for a day including gas, insurance and 180 miles. Dacks is somewhat difficult because lack of option right off the bus terminal. I think for winter, Catskill is probably your best bet. There are several bus companies that will go to Hunter Mtn for skiing. Emilios from Forest Hills has one for $40 round trip.

When I lived in DC and Baltimore I'd Zip Car, bike and use public transport locally, and rent cars on the weekends. You can always find a cheep car rental, and your credit card should cover insurance.

If you're looking for ice climbing I live near the Poughkeepsie train terminal and need some partners

divnamite wrote:Can you rent a car? It's not as bad if you share with one or two people. Zipcar is $110? for a day including gas, insurance and 180 miles. Dacks is somewhat difficult because lack of option right off the bus terminal. I think for winter, Catskill is probably your best bet. There are several bus companies that will go to Hunter Mtn for skiing. Emilios from Forest Hills has one for $40 round trip.

With tolls it ends up being more, and I think the weekend rate is higher that $110. I can't remember exactly but I think $118 was the cheapest? Been a while but I'll say spending $70 a person to climb for one day isn't hugely appealing. If you take the bus and camp at slime then it's closer to $20 a day.

New Haven CT is accessible by Metro North.