ADIRONDACK ROCK CLIMBING

It can be difficult to know when a good time of year is to go climbing or what the best choice is for a given day. Over time, I've found that the process of choosing the best objective for the day is something that I greatly enjoy about guiding. Below, are some thoughts and suggestions based on trial and error and experience. They are organized into two or three month "seasons", as that best reflects the most common conditions.

SPRING (APRIL-JUNE)

Spring, at least in the North Country, is often derided as "mud-season". However, it can be a great time for rock climbing, with fewer to no bugs, sunny cliffs before the leaves come out and low humidity and crowds.

Recommended Adirondack cliffs for this time of year include: Deadwater, Pitchoff Chimney Cliff, and Hurricane crag.

SUMMER (JULY-AUGUST)

High summer in the Adirondacks is beautiful but fleeting. It usually passes in a frenetic blur filled with eight weeks of climbing, hiking and swimming hole lounging.

By the 4th of July, the bugs are subsiding and the cliffs are drying out from any spring dampness. The long days and warmer temperatures make this an ideal time of year to venture into the High Peaks.

Recommended cliffs include, the Chapel Pond cliffs (Beer Walls, Spider's Web, Chapel Pond slab, etc), Barkeater, Avalanche Pass, Wallface and Gothic South Face.

FALL (SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER)

This is it. Sendtember. Rocktober. While the nicknames are cheesy, they are also accurate. This is the prime time of year for rock climbing in the Adirondacks and the northeast in general. As the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves start to turn, spectacular days are possible.

Recommended cliffs include, Poke-o Moonshine, Upper Washbowl and the Silver Lake cliffs.