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Elevation: 20 ft
GPS: 42.3228, -71.1726
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: Leo Paik on Jan 13, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Old Timer, jim.dangle, Joe M

Description Suggest change

This is an interesting collection of craglets of puddingstone rock (dark conglomerate) that lie WSW of Boston, near the Chestnut Hill shopping center. Climbing here dates back to the early 1900s. There are about 14 crags here. The 2 northernmost lie on private property are probably should not be listed unless ownership changes. The rest seem to be on what was once Metropolitan District Commission property and now is part of the Department of Conservation and Preservation. Some excellent bouldering lies here at the Alcove.

In the old days, folks bouldered here without pads. As a result, at least one well-known climber wound up with a broken back. Watch the landings if you are ropeless.

Ah yes, this is not a destination area, it's for locals.

Getting There Suggest change

Drive West on Route 9 to Hammond Pond Parkway. Go north. 7 of the 14 crags lie east between Hammond Pond Parkway and Hammond Pond. 5 of the 14 crags lie SW of the intersection of Beacon St & Hammond Pond Parkway. 2 of the 14 crags lie just north of the temple along Hammond Pond Parkway. Do not park at the temple!

Per Jeremy Norton: if you park at the temple, you risk getting towed. Previous parking was an arrangement with the previous owner.

213 Total Climbs

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Location: Hammond Pond Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Hammond Pond

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V-easy 3
 47
Scrambled
Boulder
V0 4
 24
The Snort
Boulder
V1 5
 34
Slippery Crimps
Boulder
V2 5+
 52
Over Easy
Boulder
V2 5+
 37
Crackerjack Dyno
Boulder
V3+ 6A+
 34
Reefer Madness
Boulder
V4 6B
 53
Hammond Eggs
Boulder
V4 6B
 30
Stoned Highway
Boulder
V4 6B
 65
Hermit's Cave
Boulder
V5-6 6C+
 4
Becoming the Hermit (Hermit's Ca…
Boulder
V6 7A
 50
Beached Whale
Boulder
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 38
The Cleft
Trad, TR
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 54
Cracker Jack
Trad, TR
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c V3-4 6A+ PG13
 39
Breakfast of Champions
Trad, TR, Boulder
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b V5 6C
 42
Hepatitis
TR, Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Scrambled Alcove Area > Main Alcove Wall
 47
V-easy 3 Boulder
The Snort Temple Area > Pusherman Wall
 24
V0 4 Boulder
Slippery Crimps Alcove Area > Right Alcove Wall
 34
V1 5 Boulder
Over Easy Alcove Area > Main Alcove Wall
 52
V2 5+ Boulder
Crackerjack Dyno Temple Area > Pusherman Wall
 37
V2 5+ Boulder
Reefer Madness Temple Area > Temple Overhangs
 34
V3+ 6A+ Boulder
Hammond Eggs Alcove Area > Main Alcove Wall
 53
V4 6B Boulder
Stoned Highway Alcove Area > Alcove Entrance Boulder
 30
V4 6B Boulder
Hermit's Cave Temple Area > Hermit's Cave Area > Hermit's Cave
 65
V4 6B Boulder
Becoming the Hermit (Hermit… Temple Area > Hermit's Cave Area > Hermit's Cave
 4
V5-6 6C+ Boulder
Beached Whale Alcove Area > Beached Whale Boulder
 50
V6 7A Boulder
The Cleft Other Walls & C… > Lower Walls
 38
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad, TR
Cracker Jack Other Walls & C… > Lower Walls
 54
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad, TR
Breakfast of Champions Alcove Area > Main Alcove Wall
 39
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c V3-4 6A+ PG13 Trad, TR, Boulder
Hepatitis Temple Area > Pusherman Wall
 42
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b V5 6C TR, Boulder
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