Mountain Project Logo

Rabit Hollow in Swanzy NH - Looking for info on Hewes Hill

Original Post
dmcclosk51 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

Found this post in an older thread, sounds interesting. I'm looking to go climbing in south western NH this weekend. 90' tall granite w/ good cracks sounds like it's worth checking out. I can't see an obvious cliff on google earth and there are 3 roads I've found so far called "Rabit Hollow rd". Does any one else have more info on this place?

Thanks

Link to original thread: mountainproject.com/v/south…

"My favorite spot is called Rabbit Hollow in Swanzy, NH which has recently become a full-fledged conservation area. It has some fantastic crack climbs and stellar granite. Not that far out but seems really remote. Not many people know about it, probable better to keep it that way. It is a bit hard to find but basically google map Rabbit Hollow Road in Swanzy NH. Print this map out with contour lines. Go to the "end" of Rabbit Hollow road and park on right. There is a small house on left. After this the road goes on but is class five and often has big puddles so continue driving only if you have a 4X4. Go < 1/4 of a mile and turn left at a junction, follow the first trail to the height of the land and turn right on a smaller trail and go to the absolute height of the land. Bring some webbing to sling trees for top roping.
The main thing is just follow the height of the land. The first time I went I just bush wacked uphill till I found it. The cliff is 90 feet at the tallest and has 5.6 – 5.hard. "

dmcclosk51 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

Update: Looks like the climbing is actually on "Hewes Hill"

Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25

most likely, cliff isn't 90 feet tall though.

dmcclosk51 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 0

Eric, Have you climbed here before? Is it worth checking out and spending a day there?

Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25

Yeah, it's not bad. Bring your trad gear or gear to sling trees for top rope. Unfortunately there are no anchors or bolting allowed at the moment. Obviously there isn't much about it online. It's kind of a locals place. If you want more details we can take this conversation off the forum.

javd von dauber · · East Brookfield MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 91

It's a long walk in carrying trad gear, unless you have a lifted 4x4, but worth it. Be mindful of land owners near approach.

john strand · · southern colo · Joined May 2008 · Points: 1,640

igot a hewe's topo somewhere...

paul Duval and Joe landry did tons there BITD..a killer 10+ on the right side and a shorty 12a roof stick in my head.

Ward Smith · · Wendell MA · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 295
john strand wrote:igot a hewe's topo somewhere... paul Duval and Joe landry did tons there BITD..a killer 10+ on the right side and a shorty 12a roof stick in my head.
So that's the name of that roof, I figured it had to have been done before, but I bouldered it in the late 90's.

Good crag, kind of like Rose Ledge in nearby Northfield MA.
Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25
javd wrote:It's a long walk in carrying trad gear, unless you have a lifted 4x4, but worth it. Be mindful of land owners near approach.
Approach is by foot only. The old 2 track is closed (gated and I believe no trespassing signs.) The walk is 20 minutes at most.

If someone has a topo I'd love to see it, no one seems to have one.
javd von dauber · · East Brookfield MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 91

When did they gate it? I drove in about a year ago, there were no signs until just before the cliff base. You could tell other jeeps had gone in. .... if there's no trespassing signs, is there another foot approach?

We might be talking different approaches because it's more than 20 minutes by vehicle.

Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25

Where are you driving in from? The Monadnock Conservatory took it over a few years ago and there's a small parking lot on Warmac.

javd von dauber · · East Brookfield MA · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 91

I think it was right off rabbit hollow road. Parked near base of the cliff At the sign that says no motor vehicles past this point.
A stock 4x4 would not make it.

Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25

Yeah, the walk in from Warmac is less than 20 minutes so no need to get stuck out there and no need to worry about crossing private property. :-)

Christian Prellwitz · · Telluride, CO · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 3,824

Any good looking boulders out there?

Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25

from what i've heard there are 50+ problems. Though I've only been out there once and wasn't looking for boulders. I gotta go out there again even just to look around.

Blissab · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 5

Definitely worth the hike in. One of my most favorite places to climb in the area. The location is beautiful and secluded and can be a bit of a burner in the summer, due to south facing orientation.

Lots of good, well protected trad crack lines from 5.7 to 5.10/5.11 with honest grades (code for be good at crack climbing). The granite frictions real well with many finger locks and hand jambs. The 5.10 mentioned earlier is outstanding with good protection.

I usually approach the cliff from the drivable end of Rabbit Hollow Road. From there, a 20-minute up-hill approach. Routes range from 40 to 80 feet in height with no fixed protection. However, most obvious routes have really good gear. Tr's can be set-up from gear anchors or trees.

Good Luck,

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
Post a Reply to "Rabit Hollow in Swanzy NH - Looking for info on…"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.