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Elevation: 2,238 ft
GPS: 44.34048, -73.89977
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 42,148 total · 198/month
Shared By: joe frankel on Oct 8, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Morgan Patterson, Kevin MudRat MacKenzie, Jim Lawyer

Description Suggest change

Access note: fording Ausable River to access cliff is necessary. There is a tyrolean cable in place currently (9/12/21); also check for seasonal peregrine closures.

Moss Cliff--a 500 foot shield of bullet-proof anorthosite that sits atop Wilmington Notch overlooking Route 86 and the Ausable River. Although this cliff is situated less than a mile from the climbers lot, it's committing reputation is rivaled by few other crags in the Adirondacks due to its surprising remoteness and sheer faces.

Many stellar lines soar up the numerous cracks of this cliff, and most recently, the hardest lines in the Adirondacks--Illuminescence (13d) and Fire in the Sky (13c)--were unlocked here. Routes such as Hard Times (5.9+), A Touch of Class (5.9+), and Creation of the World (5.11), stand testament to the varied and unique beauty of long, free routes in the Adirondacks.

If it is your first visit to the cliff, don't underestimate it -- this is not a cliff to be toyed with. Many of the routes are stout and require climbers to top out. This makes for a true adventure, as the rap station is on the far left (climbers' left) end of the cliff hidden in a gully and guarded by a treacherous bushwhack.

Make sure you get an early start, and be sure to check for closures, as this cliff is closed for a good portion of the spring and summer months for peregrine nesting.

Getting There Suggest change

Rt 86 just east of Lake Placid. Park at lot below cliff. There is a sign for Climber/Grimper in the correct pull-out. Before the Tyrolean cable broke in October of '06, one could cross the river directly below the climbers' lot; now, you must walk upriver about 1/4 mile to a shallower section of water in order to cross. Once on the other side, walk uphill along a faint climber's path for about 20 minutes to the base of cliff. Creation of the World and Children and Alcohol are just around to the right; Touch of Class, Aerie, and Hard Times just left.

11 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Moss Cliff

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 52
A Touch of Class
Trad 4 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 41
Hard Times
Trad 4 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 9
Fear of Flying
Trad 5 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 18
Fear of touching Aerie
Trad 4 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 10
Falconer
Trad 3 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c PG13
 4
Spirit of Adventure
Trad 3 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 4
Creation of the World
Trad 4 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
A Touch of Class
 52
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 4 pitches
Hard Times
 41
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 4 pitches
Fear of Flying
 9
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 5 pitches
Fear of touching Aerie
 18
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 4 pitches
Falconer
 10
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 3 pitches
Spirit of Adventure
 4
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c PG13 Trad 3 pitches
Creation of the World
 4
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad 4 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Moss Cliff »

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