Mount Minsi  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  40.9645, -75.122 Map Page Views:  15,033. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Justin Johnsen, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Ross Purnell on Apr 27, 2009 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (1)  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 90° | 66° 75° | 59° 70° | 45° 70° | 37° 64° | 36°

Closed Indefinitely MORE INFO >>> As of January 31, 2013 Mt. Minsi cliff is closed temporarily, albeit indefinitely, to allow for falcon nesting. Every, effective January 30th, a temporary climbing closure is in effect for Mt. Minsi on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area when peregrine falcons attempt to nest on the cliff. As in past years, the falcons will be monitored and the cliff will re-open as soon as the nest is no longer active. For more information contact: Allan Ambler Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Division of Resource Management and Science 294 Old Milford Road Milford, PA 18337 Phone (570) 296-6952 x 22 This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Mt.Minsi, PA

Description 

Mount Minsi and Mount Tammany (New Jersey) are the high points along a geologic formation called Kittatinny Ridge or the Kittatinny Mountains.

Minsi overlooks the Delaware Water Gap from the Pennsylvania side. The climbing is quite similar to that on Mount Tamany on the New Jersey side. Over 100 traditional routes exist here ranging from 5.0 to 5.12d, many with multiple pitches. Helmets are MANDATORY at the Gap!

The Metaquartzite east-facing cliffs of Mtount Minsi, ranging from 120 to 220 feet tall, provide the best multi-pitch climbing in PA. It's similar to the Gunks in some ways, but climbed much less, dirtier, and with more potential for loose rocks. Don't even approach the cliff base without a helmet.

Choose your route carefully. The "classics" are clean and solid because they are climbed. Some routes don't get much traffic and may be loose and dirty.

The guidebook Climbing Guide to the Delaware Water Gap by Michael Steele is long out of print, but available used at amazon.com and elsewhere.

Rock Climbing New Jersey (the FalconGuide) also has good route information.

There are no fees to climb here. There are intermittent closures in some cliff areas in the spring and early summer due to peregrine falcon nesting. Chck nps.gov for closures.

Getting There 

To climb the PA side of the gap, you want to be on I-80 (east or west) and take the exit for the town of Delaware Water Gap. From the townsite, stay on the west side of the river (Pennsylvania) and drive south on 611. Park at the roadside pullout on the right just past the "Point of Gap Overlook." There are two of these right-hand-side pullouts. Park at the second pullout on the right. There should be a clearly visible cave. It's called Cold Air Cave. Follow the blue trail markers from the right side of Cold Air Cave uphill in the trees along the right side of the scree slope. The blue trail ends at the cliff in an area called "The Practice Face."

The Classics

Featured Route For Mount Minsi

Voyage of the Damned 5.11a PG13  PA : Delaware Water Gap NRA, PA : ... : f. Land of the Giants

Just right of Chieftan, up typical dirty first pitch to belay at tree 20ft below ominous roof. Up to the roof, lean out place great gear, take many deep breaths and go for ride. Clear the lip and immidiatly move right and up to good stance. Plug in the biggest piece you got and now to really go for a voyage. Move left navigateing a difficult and awkward wide crack. Hanging belay from tiny gear. Pitch 3 goes straight up. Small gear (#1 camelot fits in a pocket protecting the giant reach). I...[more]   Browse More Classics in PA

Photos of Mount Minsi Slideshow

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Gonzo on the Approach trail	Josh Laudermilch l;eading p1 of Heroine ...	Ben Annibali leading up the second pitch of Heroin...
BETA PHOTO: Start of Surprise	BETA PHOTO: The trail from the cold air cave is shown in yello...