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Wanted: Pennsylvania partner for oddball projects

Original Post
William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Oddball projects because they're not the most glorious of routes or at the raddest spots. However between college full time, work and keeping up a house and property I dont have much time to travel outside of PA.

Oddball project ideas are:

freeing (scoping out) aid lines at places like Mocanaqua and scoping out and possibly having a go at Corpsicle, an aid line through a roof crack/seam at Dauphin Narrows.

a traverse of all of Chickies Rock. Starting from Solution Crack on the NW buttress all the way across Trail Valley, onto and across the Main Wall and around the corner topping out on that 5.5 corner with the silly bolts atop. Possibly adding (even if just for fun) bigwall tactics like the pendulum for "practice" if the terrain allows.

enchaining multiple climbing spots together via the appalachian trail. Starting at White Rock Acres, going to Whiskey Springs, then to Pole Steeple, then onto Pond Bank (off the AT but not by far), then back onto the AT and ending at Shaffers. Climbing a few routes/problems at each spot. This is a long weekend or more "adventure".

enchaining areas via the Susquehanna River like starting at that SP North of Selinsgrove (which Im told has some routes), floating down to Dauphin Narrows (maybe skipping this crag...), onto Chickies then onto Safe Harbor. Not my first choice but it'd be fun to do this for the experience.

PAs not very adventurous, however Id like to "maximize" my siltuation and attempt to have an adventure. Maybe these ideas will end up not being very fun or worthwhile, but I/we won't know until we try!

A positive attitude is all Im seeking in a partner, someone who can have fun while they're also miserable. Ultimately someone experienced at trad leading is ideal, but I'm not picky and I'll teach you if you're willing to learn along the way if you don't know.

Im busy every Saturday and one day per week taking camp teens climbing, this goes until late August. After that (and my one week trip to the Adirondacks in September) Im totally dedicated to these oddball projects. Let me know if you're down for some oddball adventuring in a total unadventurous place! Fun is important while also throwing ourselves into situations that are beneficial. Thank you!

scrambled bacon · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 10

Stoned Master,

I'd be interested in joining you on some "oddball" trips, albeit I don't have the experience your looking for. A day TR'ing at Ralph Stover, and two days at the gunks(Peterskill and a 30 M slab) with a guide. I have some gear;rope, biners, atc, set of nuts and such. Just breaking into it but eager to get into trad(sport too). I'm free pretty much friday through sunday and don't mind traveling half way through PA( I'm in south jersey), further if planned early enough.

Thanks,
Charlie

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Charlie,

I love it dude! Youre willingness to "embrace the suck" and have fun is far more important than the technical level youre at; the technical will come with experience which we can create. I'd love to share a rope with you and go on some adventures. I am PMing you...

Doug S · · W Pa · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 55
The Stoned Master wrote: enchaining areas via the Susquehanna River like starting at that SP North of Selinsgrove (which Im told has some routes), floating down to Dauphin Narrows (maybe skipping this crag...), onto Chickies then onto Safe Harbor. Not my first choice but it'd be fun to do this for the experience.
I'm getting a touring kayak pretty soon and would be interested in this. I remember reading that there's some climbing that's accessible from the Susquehanna but I don't know much about it, nor have I paddled the river. Do you have a boat?
William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Doug, I do have two kayaks. Neither one terribly fancy but they have enough bungy and storage to get the job done. Id definitly be interested in doing this with you, and maybe Scrambled Bacon wants in on the action also. The river trip is one that we can have plenty of people joining in. Let me know once youre good to go and we can start the planning (where to launch, whos car(s) at the end point, camping on an island or not, etc)!

Michael C · · New Jersey · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 340

I'm down for Moc Wall. A bit pressed for time myself with a new baby girl due to arrive in a couple of weeks. But if you want to talk more and try to set a date further down the line, let me know. Had a great time there and would love to see more of that area.

Steve Burkholder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 0

Hi, I'm in the Lancaster area tomorrow and was going to go to chickies rock if you would like a partner

turtle97 · · honesdale pa · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 15

Id love to help at moc, maybe some of the others too. I have lots of knowledge of climbing but I could certainly use some more practice. Ive only done tr at moc but im looking to start leading. I have two dynamic ropes, one static, enough gear for rigging three setups plus a rack of draws and a basic trad rack (cams, nuts, tricams). your river trip sounds pretty sweet and Id love to do it if tthere's a group going (I have a few kayaks and a canoe) thanks!

Doug S · · W Pa · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 55

I got the touring kayak and it's easy to pack plenty of gear for a trip. I can probably cover some of what you may lack in terms of room for climbing gear. If we can organize a trip soon, I'm in. Stoned, any thoughts about a timeline?

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

The weekend of October 25/26 Im free and would be down for a kayak/climb trip. Anyone else free that weekend? All are welcome.

Besides nailing down a date we need to discuss specifics like what body of water, climbing spot and logistics (kayak put in and take out, etc). We have options for sure. Any one location/trip appeal to you guys?

Mark R · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

I can do October 25/26 if anyone has a yak and paddle I can borrow. Have a pfd and dry bag plus personal gear, draws, slings, and some misc. basic trad hardware. I'm a total beginner at technical climbing so I might be annoying but I have outdoor experience in other areas. Driving up from Baltimore, have Thule aero bars but no kayak attachment or foam bumpers. Let me know if you guys are open to another partner!

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Mark, Ive got a kayak for you dude, youre definitly welcome! If others can do that weekend we just need to talk specifics. Any specific climb spot, type (bouldering, gear or bolted) or body of water appeal to anyone?

Peter BrownWhale · · Randallstown, MD · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 21

Depending on specifics I might be able to join this as well; also would be coming up from the Baltimore area, have 2 kayaks and a full trad/sportclimbing rack/ropes etc. but I'm not familiar with that area at all

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Cool pbrown! I know here in Central PA we've got the Susquehanna River that has a few crags along it (Dauphin, Chickies, Peavine, Safe Harbor and others); there may be some obstacles at a point or two along the river (maybe not), but we should be able to handle them quicly and keep moving.

anyone else have any other suggestions besides the Susquehanna to kayak and climb on? Once we get the body of water and crag selected we can look at the other details like put in, parking, time, etc.

Doug S · · W Pa · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 55

Stoned...
1) Of all the crags along the river, is Safe Harbor the best?
2) If so, how about camping on Weise Island?

Looking at Google Earth it looks like there's dams up the Susquehana and it will be difficult to portage a loaded kayak. Does it make sense to hover around S.H. and island camp instead of paddling downriver crag to crag? Just questions for consideration... I don't have any knowledge of the area.

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Doug asked: 1) Of all the crags along the river, is Safe Harbor the best?
2) If so, how about camping on Weise Island?

I think that Safe Harbor, as far as the Susquehanna is concerned, is the best regarding both quantity and quality. Chickies Rock is super solid stone and takes gear nicely; however there isnt an abundance of climbs and can be crowded on nice weekends for sure.

I am unsure about Weise Island; I am going to do some research on it, see what I can find. Around Safe Harbor there are some obstacles; Im told there are ways around with only slight inconvienence. I dont have first hand experience with those specific obstacles.

If we can find a way to work with Safe Harbor thatd be our best bet as far as climbing goes, kayaking its not ideal but it is doable. thoughts anyone?

Im down for just about anything and just want to go exploring and on an adventure!

William Sonoma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 3,550

Jake said: It's a shame you're not looking for a Pennsylvania oddball for a partner project. I would refer you to Seth Derr.

+1 - That Seth Derr...he's an oddball for sure!

Jake you able/wanting to join us on our kayak to climb adventure? Also, you going to the Seneca chili cook off on the 18th and 19th this year? I know Seth's planning on being there, along with quite a few others this year.

Jay Harrison · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 6,307

Just a heads up: the Sus is littered with low-head dams, which are absolutely certain to kill you should you go over one. Having grown up in the Binghamton area, I'll all too-well familiar with their deadliness.
Canoeing down the entire river was one of the dreams of my youth. Never got it done; I'm happy to see the dream lives on - and is connected to climbing now!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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