Bella Vista Slab  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  2,500' Page Views:  117. Good page?    Administrators:  Jim Lawyer, Chris Duca, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Jay Harrison on Sep 14, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue 59° | 37° 48° | 39° 59° | 32° 66° | 34° 73° | 45°

View from Bella Vista slab, Crane Mt, Adirondacks.

Description 

This undulating slab runs over 500' up the side of Crane Mountain. Among several such long slabs, this is the closest to the Belleview Slab, being only 120' left of the top of that crag. The appeal here is for the alpine feel, open views, and ease of access; don't expect a lot of strenuous climbing. Do expect a fair amount of unkempt slab, although increasing traffic is helping reduce the flotsam. Feel free to bring a brush and touch up a spot or two along the way.
A half dozen or more routes course up its length, but the best is the eponymous line that begins at the slab's lowpoint, winds up open rock through several challenging steps, to end at its highpoint, a picturesque platform with several natural rock benches.
Every route here has a few seriously runout sections, generally in the 5.3 range, but in most spots, easier, safer alternatives can be found (though this may require thrashing through dense foliage).
While it is possible to walk down via gullies (climber's left), there is a rappel course along the slab. Be forewarned: there are several rope-snagging flakes and saplings along the way. To use it, scramble down climber's right (class 3) to the lowest of several spruce trees, where the topmost fixed anchor lies. Take this down, slightly climber's left, to an anchor on an oak tree. Take this to an anchor on a spruce tree. Take that anchor to another one on an oak tree below the headwall. Take that to the ledge at the base of Le Jeur de Bon Heures. Either scramble down or take one more oak tree rappel to reach the base of the slab.

Getting There 

Either climb something on the Belleview Slab or walk around it climber's left and scramble up a steep gully. From the top of the Belleview, walk 120' climber's left to the base of this slab.

The Classics

Featured Route For Bella Vista Slab

Bella Vista 5.7 PG13  NY : Adirondacks : ... : Bella Vista Slab

A long, fun jaunt up the side of Crane Mountain. The top of this route is open and the view is excellent.P1 110' 5.4 PG: Climb the slab up and right, running it out on friction 25' to the first bolt. Continue weaving upward, following clean patches and bolts, to a right-facing corner. Hop left, up on this, and make a semi-hanging belay.P2 90' 5.5 G 5.3 R: Climb a short vertical crack, then the slab above, moving up and slightly left to a flap. Go over this and up the unprotected sl...[more]   Browse More Classics in NY