Trip Report
Manhattan - Central Park Bouldering Circuit
Monday October 15, 2012 12:59am
Since business and pleasure may take us to New York City from time to time, the good mountaineer should know the resources.

I find that Manhattan can be a refreshing break from the endless solitude and loneliness of the western side of the continent. Just walking the streets requires a high level of alertness similar to climbing a 5.5 and driving in mid town can be like 5.10b!

There are some fine high points such as the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Center Observation Deck. Both cost $25 to access but offer some great exposure.
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Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, 67th floor, looking north to Cent...
Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, 67th floor, looking north to Central Park.
Credit: Spider Savage
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Once you get your fill of the glory of urban landscape, Central Park offers a pleasant escape.
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Rat Rock bouldering area in the trees there.
Rat Rock bouldering area in the trees there.
Credit: Spider Savage
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The bedrock of Manhattan consists of some very solid gneiss.
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A dad and daughter enjoy an aesthetic little boulder problem on Rat Ro...
A dad and daughter enjoy an aesthetic little boulder problem on Rat Rock.
Credit: Spider Savage
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A walk in Central park should be done in some good sticky approach shoes to take advantage of the many 2-3 move boulder problems that abound.
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Fun short boulder problem near Columbia Circle in the SW corner of the...
Fun short boulder problem near Columbia Circle in the SW corner of the park.
Credit: Spider Savage
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For some more serious bouldering Cat Rock and Rat Rock in the southern part of the park offer the opportunity for a good gymnastic work out.
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Wrasslin' Rat Rock.
Wrasslin' Rat Rock.
Credit: Spider Savage
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The many exposed rock outcroppings of Central Park show obvious signs of glacial erosion that constantly remind me of the Yosemite high country.
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Glacial erratic and scoured bedrock.  Just like Tuolumne!
Glacial erratic and scoured bedrock. Just like Tuolumne!
Credit: Spider Savage
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To think that some 40,000 or so years ago the winters grew longer and longer until the snow never even melted during the summer months but built up year after year. Hundreds, thousands of years passed until the snow became deep ice, crushing and scouring the land. The geologist teaches it has happened several times in the past, thus it shall happen again, several times, in the future. This is what I like to ponder while wandering central park.
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South end of Central Park.  North is right on this map.
South end of Central Park. North is right on this map.
Credit: Spider Savage
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I hope this has been of interest. Please add your Central Park beta to this thread.
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Spider at Rat Rock, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City
Spider at Rat Rock, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City
Credit: Spider Savage
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More available on MountainProject.com
http://mountainproject.com/v/central-park/106044536

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Spider Savage
About the Author
Spider Savage is a mountain climber, raised in North Idaho and living on the shaggy fringe of Los Angeles. Enjoys both city and country life. (obviously)

Comments
Jerry Dodrill

climber
@dodrillphoto
  Oct 15, 2012 - 01:20am PT
Sweet! I'm heading there next week for the PhotoPlus Expo. Perhaps I'll throw in my shoes.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Boulder climber
ne'er–do–well
  Oct 15, 2012 - 01:37am PT
Nice to see fallen leaves at the base. Pad nation must have bigger fish to fry.
RyanD

climber
  Oct 15, 2012 - 02:44am PT
Hey this is awesome!

What's the Camping like?
schwortz

Social climber
"close to everything = not at anything", ca
  Oct 15, 2012 - 03:52am PT
best camping options nearby: http://www.trumphotelcollection.com/central-park/

PS theres a lot more climbing in the park than most people think. nick falacci's old guidebook is floating around the internet somewhere. and there were some other web based topos for the worthless/harlem section of the park.
John Duffield

Mountain climber
New York
  Oct 15, 2012 - 11:28am PT

FRUMY

Trad climber
Bishop,CA
  Oct 15, 2012 - 11:32am PT
The Spider in the Big Apple - TFPU.
Rhodo-Router

Gym climber
sawatch choss
  Oct 15, 2012 - 11:58am PT
Fun fact: Long Guyland is a gigantic terminal moraine!
bergbryce

climber
East Bay, CA
  Oct 15, 2012 - 12:00pm PT
This is pretty rad.
chazman

climber
  Oct 15, 2012 - 08:42pm PT
Check out Beta Boys beta :)

http://www.beta-boy.com/id4.html
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Oct 15, 2012 - 09:19pm PT
Nice spiderman!!!
PellucidWombat

Mountain climber
Draperderr, by Bangerter, Utah
  Oct 15, 2012 - 09:45pm PT
Nice! It was a shame that I lived there for 6 months and never checked out the bouldering in Central Park. At least I got to the Gunks a few times. Next time I pass through NYC, though . . .
Spider Savage

Mountain climber
The shaggy fringe of Los Angeles
Author's Reply  Oct 16, 2012 - 12:19am PT
Super good photos DMT. I was hangin' in Time's Square area for 3 days. Love it there.


Skiing Central park in deep snow would be awesome.


Calm is but a Wall

Trad climber
SF
  Oct 18, 2012 - 08:06pm PT
John Duffield

Mountain climber
New York
  Oct 17, 2012 - 04:16pm PT
haha I ran the Manhattan Half Marathon in the one storm we had in January. It was a NIGHTMARE! The snow got pounded into little clumps and my feet were dying after about the first 6 miles. To say nothing of the backsliding. It was ok if I ran in the fresh snow.

I did XC Central Park. It was an accident. I took my XC skis on the Subway to ski Central Park and the train went out of service. The snow wasn't too beat but I'm a crummy XC skier.

Next month, I'll run the Marathon which is Fabulous and after that, we have the T-day Parade. I sometimes go up there to toss in my .02.

http://vimeo.com/31313168






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