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Buttermilk Falls
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Buttermilk Falls 

Buttermilk Falls 

WI3-4

   
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Type: Ice, 6 pitches, 800 feet, Grade II
Consensus: WI3-4 [details]
FA: 
Submitted By: Adam Catalano on Feb 27, 2007

You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (10)
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BETA PHOTO: P4(??) of BMF

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Description 

This climb has six fun pitches with about a one minute walk following each step. The steps are anywhere between 40 and 80 feet high. About half are WI3 and half WI4. The final pitch is a pillar that is by far the tallest, toughest and latest to come in.


Protection 

Typical ice pro, use directionals at the top of each pitch and angle off to a tree for anchors.
Rap off trees back to packs.



Photos of Buttermilk Falls Slideshow Add Photo
The top two pitches of Buttermilk Falls, Catskills.  Lots of other options off to the sides.

BETA PHOTO: The top two pitches of Buttermilk Falls, Catskills...

The top pitch.  This is the middle of what are usually three options (the right one is not in the pic)

BETA PHOTO: The top pitch. This is the middle of what are usu...


Comments on Buttermilk Falls Add Comment
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By Dara
From: NYC and Boulder
Jan 2, 2010

This one is big fun; the approach can be a bit treacherous, especially if there is no snow, just wet leaves over slippery shale slabs. And take care not to punch through when crossing the creek.

By Gunkiemike
Feb 8, 2010

No need to rap P1, 2, 6, or 7. Look for tracks off to the side: climbers' right on P7, CL on the others. If you don't see fixed slings, it's because there's a walk-off. Lots of folks rap P7 and bust the ice underneath before it has a chance to fill in; please don't be that guy.

By MiguelC
Feb 7, 2013

Does any one know how how Buttermilk gets affected when there is a lot of snowfall? Avalanche danger?

By josh huntley
Feb 14, 2013

It is probably much easier to descend with a lot of snow especially with snowshoes. It can be treacherous with rocks and falling through ice with little snowpack. No avalanche hazard here.

By susiQ
Feb 27, 2013

anyone know what township this is in ?

By Ryan Morse
Mar 6, 2013

I'm not a local and found Kaaterskill Falls proper (which is not on this site but had numerous easy, and very steep routes) instead of Buttermilk falls but I am fairly certain that it falls on 23A somewhere between Haines Falls and Palenville there is quite a bit of ice on that stretch. With the given directions I'm still unsure, more cross referencing to other parking areas and other routes will be required before I understand, but there is plenty of see a climb and walk to it options on 23A so that anybody could get by for a number of days down there.

By Gunkiemike
Mar 15, 2013

Ryan - there's a full page map in the Catskill Ice guidebook that makes the location of Buttermilk and the other Rt 23A climbs very clear.