Chapel Pond Slab  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  14,782. Good page?    Administrators:  Jim Lawyer, Chris Duca, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Taino on Jan 19, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 73° | 55° 79° | 55° 73° | 43° 55° | 32° 55° | 34°

Kara at the top of Empress.

Description 

Chapel Pond Slab is considered one of the highlights of Adirondack climbing. Not because the climbing is difficult nor for the cleans cracks. In fact, Chapel Pond Slab is very moderate and it offers clean, crack-free slab climbing for some 700 feet.

Climbers can enjoy the views of the Washbowl climbing area, Giant Mountain, and several other picturesque peaks across Route 73, while climbing the slabs.

Expect runouts. Like most slab climbing, the key to becoming a champion slab master is a combination punch--maximize the surface area of your feet and maintain your momentum. Like Don Mellor admits in his soon to be replaced guidebook, "Admittedly, the moves aren't really that hard. Instead it is the whole picture of exposure and commitment that makes the climb so rewarding."

The best introduction to the Slabs is the Regular Route. It offers substantial protection, when needed, and it offers several variations and options to pass slower parties if you plan to climb it on a beautiful weekend day.

Getting There 

Heading north from interstate 87 on Route 73, the Slabs will be on the west (left) side of the road. One can either park at the main lot for Chapel Pond, or on the left side of the road where the shoulder widens. There is a climbers path that leaves the road and quickly gets you to the base of the slabs.

The Classics

Featured Route For Chapel Pond Slab

Empress 5.5 X  NY : Adirondacks : ... : Chapel Pond Slab

Climbs the slab with fantastic friction to a birch terrace on the left side. The route starts on the left facing corner to some belay cracks up above it. You can skip pitches 2 and 3 by taking a run-out direct line to the third belay. The last pitch before that ledge, the 3rd or 4th depending, is the crux pitch. The steepest slab on the route with no protection. Make sure not to be lulled to the protection right where the grade is suddenly steeper and slicker (Victoria 5.6+ R).From here, climb t...[more]   Browse More Classics in NY

Photos of Chapel Pond Slab Slideshow

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Kara on the Chapel Pond Slab.	BETA PHOTO: Chapel Pond Slab	Derek Nabozny and Eric Albers (barely) starting of...
View from the bottom.	BETA PHOTO: Descent from Chapel Pond Slab.	Chapel Pond view from atop of Bob's Knob. Washbow...
Base area for climbs	CP slab in the summer, 2012.