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Elevation: 50 ft
GPS: 38.9755, -77.2066
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Shared By: franciscov Valenzuela on Sep 17, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Frances Fierst, C S

Description Suggest change

A cliff band on the north side of the Potomac River just northwest of Washington DC. The rock is Wissahickon Shist, it’s hard, gray and contains white quartz crystals. The rocks are about 40 feet high. The area is top roped using trees and there are lots of hard foot work challenges. It's a beautiful area in the hardwood forest that is peaceful, but very popular.

Guidebook: rakkup.com/guidebooks/carde…

Getting There Suggest change

Just off I-495 exit on to the Clara Barton Parkway in Carderock Park. Park in the far north parking lot and walk west on a trail to the cliffs.

145 Total Climbs

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Location: Carderock Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Carderock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a
 61
Beginner's Crack
Trad, TR
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 46
The Crack
Trad, TR
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 75
Easy Layback
Trad, TR
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 49
Nubbin (Nubble) Face
TR
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 52
Trudie's Terror
Trad, TR
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 65
Jan's Face
TR
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 65
Sterling's Crack
TR
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 36
Ronnie's Leap
TR
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 28
Bulging Crack
Trad, TR
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 43
Triple A
TR
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 32
Flutterby
TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 46
Herbie's Horror
TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 44
Butterfly
TR
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 34
Fingernail
TR
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 34
The Flake
TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Beginner's Crack Jungle Cliffs
 61
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a Trad, TR
The Crack Hades Heights
 46
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad, TR
Easy Layback Hades Heights
 75
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad, TR
Nubbin (Nubble) Face Hades Heights
 49
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a TR
Trudie's Terror Hades Heights
 52
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, TR
Jan's Face Jungle Cliffs
 65
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b TR
Sterling's Crack Jungle Cliffs
 65
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b TR
Ronnie's Leap Jungle Cliffs
 36
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b TR
Bulging Crack Hades Heights
 28
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
Triple A Hades Heights
 43
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c TR
Flutterby Hades Heights
 32
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c TR
Herbie's Horror Jungle Cliffs
 46
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a TR
Butterfly Hades Heights
 44
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a TR
Fingernail Hades Heights
 34
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b TR
The Flake Jungle Cliffs
 34
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b TR
More Classic Climbs in Carderock »

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