Nonsense: More and More Climbing

June 17th

We have been doing so much climbing on the weekends that I have not had to time to blog and now I have to backtrack to catch up on the blog. So let's go back to June 17th and 18th. Kristin and I drove over to Morgantown to pick up Beth Ann for a visit in Baltimore. She also needed gear from REI for the upcoming road trip to the western United States. We picked Beth Ann up on the 17th and went straight to Cooper's Rock where we did most of our favorite routes, like The Arch and Reachy.

Beth Ann warming up at Cooper's Rock.
Photograph by Chuck Bolte.

We drove back to Baltimore like the wind after we finished our day at Cooper's Rock. We had to get to REI with plenty of time left to shop before they closed. We did. And when we left the wallets were much lighter.

June 18th

Our second day with Beth Ann, the 18th, was a trip to Rocks State Park where we got in some top rope climbs and practiced some trad techniques in preparation for the mega road trip. We had a great day and accomplished everything that we needed to to lay the foundation for the mega road trip. Sunday we made the trip all the way back to Morgantown to drop Beth Ann off then all the way back to Baltimore.

Beth Ann nearing the top of Vertical.
Photograph by Chuck Bolte.

Beth Ann and Chuck on the north side of the Strawberry Jam Pillar.
Photograph by KRMG.

June 25th

Kristin, Brian, and I went back to Rocks State Park on June 25th to climb Breakaway, but ran into a copperhead where we needed to place toprope anchors and diverted to the Strawberry Jam Pillar. We climbed all of the routes on the north side of the pillar including Scared Straight which had a deceivingly difficult overhang crux at the top of the route. After climbing the north side we threw the rope over the south side to finally have a go at Strawberry Jam. All in all it was a great day and we left feeling exhausted, but refreshed.

Chuck staring up the steep part.
Photograph by KRMG.

June 26th

Kristin, Brian, and I met up again on June 26th for another trip to Carderock. We got their early, 0700 I think, but only got in four routes before swarms of other climbers came and snatched up all the open routes. Instead of waiting in line we decided to cut the day short and go slumming at REI.

July 1st

Brian had July 1st off so he and I took an exploratory trip to a sport climbing area in PA called Birdboro. We had heard about Birdsboro from a friend at Earth Treks and were eager to see what the place had to offer. Birdsboro did offer an enjoyable pocket of short sport routes from moderate to difficult. It is definitely a great place for a climber to learn and hone sport climbing skills. Rock fall is a major concern though and everyone should keep an eye out while belaying and climbing.

For once this summer we enjoyed a cool dry day and climbed 11 routes before making the two hour journey back to Baltimore. We definitely looked forward to going back and continuing to explore other routes.

Brian following Arocknophobia.
Photograph by Chuck.

July 6th

Finally, on July 6th I went back to Birdsboro with Kristin because she did not get to go the first time due to her work schedule. It was much more humid this time. Disgustingly humid. We started out on the lower wall and enjoyed some solid slab climbs before moving up to the Main Wall. At the Main Wall I made a sad attempt at Jingle Bells falling at the crux three times. But the bad news did not end there. A tiny, but severe thunderstorm rolled in and pounded the Birdsboro quarry for 30 minutes effectively soaking the rock and sending us home early.


Our only consolation was to start the mega road trip early.