Spectacular Spectacle  5.8 A3

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Type:  Trad, Aid, 4 pitches, 200 feet, Grade IV Consensus:  5.8 A3 [details] FA:  John Kelbel and Dominic Albanese 2006 New Route:  Yes Submitted By:  Dominic Albanese on Jul 26, 2009 You & This Route  |  Other Opinions (2) Your todo list: Your stars: Your rating: -none- [change] Your ticklist: [add new tick]

John works his way up to the P2 belay on [[1064998...

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Train Property MORE INFO >>> While the climbing at the cliff is allowed (get a permit in town) accessing the "pit" via the steel ladder may not be. If climbing here keeping a low profile in the pit (stay off the rim of the pit) is recommended. 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

Description 

No one denies that Maryland has no El Capitan. But for those who desire a whole day on rock this is about as close as you can get in MD.

3 pitches of aid followed but one pitch of 5.8 make for perhaps the only grade IV climb in the state.

• Pitch 1 - Refer to Center Stage and All Alone for a complete description. Basically follow the crack up, then slighly right, then back left to reach the slab and up to the ledge with anchor. C2

• Pitch 2 - Traverse down and left 10 feet to the corner (move belay if necessary) and climb the short left facing corner then discontinuous cracks above to a 2 bolt belay under the roof. A2

• Pitch 3 - The crux pitch tension traverses right under the roof then up and over at a thin crack. This is followed with difficulty up and left (stacked Kbs) There are a few fixed pieces (bolts and rivets) under the large roof due to bad rock. Above these wildly aid through the overhang to reach the large ledge above. A3

• Pitch 4 - The two short walls above go at 5.8

Location 

Start as for Center Stage and All Alone

After you have gotten yourself and all your gear into the pit. Locate the anarchy symbol. The climb starts in the flare to thin crack directly left of this graffiti.

To descend walk-off. Head uphill to the find the trail, and the take a right (east) and take the trail downhill. You will eventually end up on Sandy Hook Road at the other side of the train tunnel. Walk the road back to your gear.

Protection 

The whole aid repertoire. Especially thin knife-blades. Beaks, RURPs, micro cams and hook were all used on the FA.

Photos of Spectacular Spectacle Slideshow

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John just off the belay on P2 of Spectacular Spectacle	John about to get into the crux of Spectacular Spectacle	Some rope antics while putting up Spectacular Spectacle
John Kelbe and Dominic Albanese Starting pitch 2 D...	John Kelbel starting pitch 3 Don Startzell photo	John Kelbel nailing the crux. Don Startzell photo