Easy Toprope Setups at RUMNEY?

I live in Colorado. I am visiting family in Mass in a couple of weeks. My hope is to take my brother and nephew climbing at Rumney. I would love to set up some easy climbs without leading them as no one I will be with knows how to belay. Is there a good spot at Rumney to set up some 5.5-5.8 climbs from above?

Thanks.

paul

I can't think of anything at Rumney you can really toprope without leading... But the alcove just right of the Venus wall sounds like a good place to take them. Bunch of routes at that grade, but you'd have to lead

You might consider checking out the Lower Slabs at Pawtuckaway. It's a little closer to MA and is easily accessible from the top. If you decide to visit here, take the 10 minute walk to and around the Boulder Natural area - it's a really pretty forest / area.

Go to the GUNKS. Or Connecticut for top roping.

Where is MA? Eastern or Western? I know a few local crags that you can casually walk around and set up top ropes with bolted anchors. Let us know! For beginners there is no need to drive 2 hours, the local crags will do :)

Connecticut: top rope capital of the world

CT has a long history of ground up scary leads unfortunately only a few people in the state continue this tradition. Even more unfortunate it is home to one of the most prolific bolt choppers in the country which makes it hard to keep up this tradition.
But ya, it is probably the TR capital and definitely a good place to introduce people to climbing. One of the best spots to introduce people to the sport is Pinnacle rock. Pinnacle has extremely easy TR set ups and moderate climbs.

Paul Dreyer wrote:I live in Colorado. I am visiting family in Mass in a couple of weeks. My hope is to take my brother and nephew climbing at Rumney. I would love to set up some easy climbs without leading them as no one I will be with knows how to belay. Is there a good spot at Rumney to set up some 5.5-5.8 climbs from above? Thanks. paul

I think there's a walk around/off here:

mountainproject.com/v/upper…

It's a popular spot because of the moderates there, so don't expect to be alone and/or have pick of which climb you'll be able to do. Get there really early if you want choices.

Hopefully someone who frequents Rumney can verify.

Might be best off finding someone to meet up and climb/belay with you. Pretty much every cliff at Pawtuckaway has nice walk offs so it's an option.

Paul Dreyer wrote:I live in Colorado. I am visiting family in Mass in a couple of weeks. My hope is to take my brother and nephew climbing at Rumney. I would love to set up some easy climbs without leading them as no one I will be with knows how to belay. Is there a good spot at Rumney to set up some 5.5-5.8 climbs from above? Thanks. paul

Hey Paul- depending on where you are in MA, Crow Hill has lots of convenient toprope setups, including some VERY easy climbs for newbies.

Depending on what your focus is, the climbing aside, when teaching or taking people climbing for the first time, it is better for your victims/climbing n00bs;-D to see others learning too.
This means that the more the area has a scene; and an active learning climbing population, the more the people learning will feel more comfortable, feeling like they fit in.
Doing what others are doing; Learning the ropes.
always start by demonstrating on the ground.
It also works out nicely when you can talk to other leaders,that others on the ground will be Hyper-vigilant about safety ( one can only hope) so that if you are busy with one person. They may provide
an extra eyes, if needed.

This post was started hours ago , so it may no longer fit in to the conversation.

I've seen many people using the small cliff below main cliff proper for this. You can access the anchors from above, and the routes are between 5.6 and 5.8 I believe.

mountainproject.com/v/super…

mountainproject.com/v/fat-m…

mountainproject.com/v/fear-…

Upper Darth Vadar is able to be be setup for toproping with relative ease. You'll need to setup a tag line from the trail to get to the top, but once you are there it is easy enough to setup several lines at this infrequently used cliff. Half a dozen lines from 5.4-5.8

I'd recommend Den Rock in Lawrence, MA. It has an easy walk to the top. Large bolts for anchors at the top of most climbs, and has enough easy climbing for a first timer. It's .25 miles South of Rt 495 on Rt 114 and a short hike in.