Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Post Road (aka Black Route)

5.7, Trad, 60 ft (18 m),  Avg: 2.2 from 58 votes
FA: John Post, et al.,1952
Massachusetts > Central, MA > Crow Hill & Leo… > Crow Hill > 5. Main Face

Description

Look for a large chockstone/roof to the right of Intertwine. Climb the open book below the chockstone/roof. The vertical crack leading to the roof looks like an ideal place for a cam, but it's not. The crack will eat your cam and or it will be a pain to remove. At the stance beneath the roof, place a #3 Camalot in the horizontal crack and a #1 Camalot in the right hand portion of the same crack. When you begin to climb into the offwith, there will be a nice hold for your left hand above your head. Use this hold to get yourself in a nice position to begin lay backing the crux. Continue lay backing until you can get yourself in the offwith.

You can either top out to the right or rappel from the chained anchor used on Intertwine.

Note: When climbing through the crux, make sure you keep the rope between your legs in the event you fall.

Location

This is located to the right of Intertwine on the main face.

Protection

1 set of stoppers
1 #1 Camalot
1 #3 Camalot
2 quickdraws
3 2 foot slings.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

There is a short slab at the start of this route (not in photo). There is a big ledge at the top of the chockstone and a short pitch up a corner to the walk off trail.
[Hide Photo] There is a short slab at the start of this route (not in photo). There is a big ledge at the top of the chockstone and a short pitch up a corner to the walk off trail.
Trying to figure out the beta under evening light.
[Hide Photo] Trying to figure out the beta under evening light.
The second pitch of Post Road goes up this corner. It protects easily with medium and largish cams (up to #3 BD Camalot).
[Hide Photo] The second pitch of Post Road goes up this corner. It protects easily with medium and largish cams (up to #3 BD Camalot).

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

javd von dauber
East Brookfield MA
 
[Hide Comment] Fun lead that protects well. Pulling over the roof is the crux.... Just comit and go. Jul 31, 2014
Russ Keane
Salt Lake
[Hide Comment] This is a great climb. I was pleasantly surprised.

A good lead for the 5.7 leader. Give a a try - it's well-protected and super fun. Lots of holds/feet, but it's a little intimidating and tricky.

Well-rated at 5.7. Aug 18, 2014
Robert Hall
North Conway, NH
  5.7
[Hide Comment] According to Sam Streibert's 1975 guide, the FA for this route was by John Post and others in 1952. It was well-traveled by the Lowell Tech Outing club during the late 1960s, when we called it the "Black Route" (see the comment under Green Route). Oct 28, 2014
Mike Lero
NH
[Hide Comment] Going to the bolted anchor on Intertwine is quite far left without many gear options (it is hard to protect the second through the crux). It would also be hard to clean the route on rappel from the Intertwine anchor. Jul 15, 2024