Pinnacle Rock, CT - Rock Climb

 

At the top of Pinnacle Rock, CT

It was good to get back to Connecticut to climb again. 3 years ago I onsighted VeeZee (5.4), a super fun crack! Today Jeni lead VeeZee and we also got in a couple laps on Leap Frog (5.6), Wizard Of Oz (5.7) and Emerald City (5.8). So happy to help you out Jeni! :)

#girlswhoclimb #rockclimbing #pinnaclerock #trad #toproping #leafpeeping

Middlesex Fells - Rock Climbing

The left side of Crag 1

Met up with Nuno and we spent the morning climbing at two different crags in the Middlesex Fells. We started at the left side of Crag 1 Pinnacle Rock, and then onto Crag 3. As with our last climb together, in the parking lot, we didn't do any hugs, high-5's, or handshakes, but we never did anyway. We hiked to Crag 1 (Pinnacle Rock) maintaining social distancing and there was no one else on the trail. We were the first two climbers there, but soon after two women showed up. Later, two more guys showed up, and they set up a top rope to the right of us on Fern. Despite being new to outdoor climbing, they were doing great on their own. But one of the women in the other group started spraying beta, poor guys! Even as Nuno and I headed out to Crag 3, she continued loudly spraying her beta - she actually got louder as we walked away. I guess she wanted to make sure Nuno and I knew that she knew what she was talking about. So rude to put others (especially new climbers) in the position to have to say no or to make them feel awkward or uncomfortable for having to listen to unwanted climbing advice.

Nuno at the top of Crag 3

At Crag 3, Nuno and I climbed two routes. It was our first time climbing at Crag 3, it was hot and muggy, but it sure was fun to get back to climbing slabs. And since the slab wasn't under a blanket of trees like Crag 1 Pinnacle, it wasn't as muggy and the rock here wasn't too slick. There were no other climbers there but we did see 3 hikers. 

Nuno brought along this Thermacell Patio Sheild Mosquito Repellent and it worked beautifully! 

Black & White Rocks - Rock Climbing

Climbing Beginner's Class with Iskuhi on my belay

Nuno, Iskuhi, and I met up for some climbing at Middlesex Fells. We all live in Massachusetts and when we meet up to climb, we usually head north to places like Rumney, New Hampshire to climb. But with the pandemic, Rumney and many of our favorite climbing crags in New Hampshire are closed. So we met up to do some climbing at Pinnacle Rock, in the Black & White Rocks crag. In the parking lot, we didn't do any hugs, high-5's, or handshakes, but we never did anyways. We hiked to Crag 1 (Pinnacle Rock) maintaining social distancing and there was no one else on the trail. We purposely chose to climb on a weekday because it would be less crowded as the weekends here are mobbed by hikers and climbers.

I'm sure Nuno and Iskuhi came prepared, but in case they didn't, I had extra facemasks, hand wipes, and hand sanitizer - which I also carry in my truck, golf bag, and hiking backpack. 

At the crag, we were the only climbers, and the only other people we saw that day was a group of 6 hikers on the main trail. I bought my trad rack with the intention of doing some trad leading but decided not to because the rock felt really slick and I personally don't like the idea of leading in muggy weather - I have a fear of slipping off the rock in muggy weather. After two hours of climbing, we called it quits because it just got way too muggy. Enjoy some photos of our day of climbing. 

Connecticut Rock Climbing

Shaka from the top of Wiessner's Slab

Ragged Mountain, Connecticut

Spent the Memorial Day weekend with Nicole and climbing in her neck of the woods. It was amazing an amazing day!

On the first day Nicole and I went to Ragged Mountain. I wanted to lead a slab so Nicole showed me the Wiessner's Slab. I quickly learned their slabs aren't the same as the slabs I'm accustomed to in NH. 

Nicole didn't want me to miss an opportunity for an on-sight - so I lead Wiessner's Slab and it sure was fun. There were a couple of hand and finger jams as well as a couple of foot jams to satisfy my crack fix! LOL!

Right: bringing Nicole up!

Rain the second day so we shopped at REI. It was cool to see Wilson hanging out!

Afterwards we headed over to Prime Climb climbing gym to do some indoor climbing. There are two crack climbs (in the wall) and I got on both. They're both narrower than the crack I get my lessons on, but I was able to climb both several times. Still fun and it satisfied my urge to climb crack!

The last day we climbed at Pinnacle Rock. I followed Nicole up Double Crutch.  

Nicole at the belay up top!!
Trad is Rad!

Vee Zee (5.4)
FA: 1988 Claude Mallegol & Nunzio Marino

Then I saw this crack that I just had to lead. It's located immediately right of the Emerald City Slab. The start was tough and a reachy for me. It was wide in the beginning and my small hands and feet weren't jamming. But there were good foot places at the back of the crack and the crack was wide enough for me to fit up to my calf. However, as I got higher the crack narrowed and I was able to get a few (shallow) hand jams and a 4-finger slot. Near the top and at the end of the crack I was able to get a couple bomber foot jams in as well. It was an amazing weekend!

Bringing up Nicole on Vee Zee.

Pano from the top of Pinnacle Rock, Connecticut

Pinnacle Rock - Rock Climbing

Met up with Nicole to do some climbing in her backyard. We headed out to the Pinnacle Rock crag in the Central Valley of CT. This is the first time I've ever climbed on Traprock and it reminded me of Granite, but more smoother. One of the climbs we did (First Crack) was interesting. I climbed it trying to use as many hand and foot jams as I could, and I was able to get a few good hand and foot jams. One thing I learned while climbing that route - I actually felt more secure using of foot jams to get me through a couple of sections - so fun! Thanks for a great day Nicole! Enjoy a few photos of our day.

Pinnacle Rock in the background

Tadpoles in a puddle at the trailhead

First Crack (5.4)

From the top of Cracked Wall

Bumped into Matt Shove

Here he is leading Second Crack (5.7)

Also got to chat with Bob "Bob-O" Clark