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Thin Air Face

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Thin Air Face

Submitted By: lee hansche on Jan 15, 2007
Administrator: Jay Knower
Views: 2,097 page views

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The Thin Air Face as seen from Recompense (5.9)......


Description 

The Thin Air Face is a very popular spot but it tends to handle the heavy traffic very well due to a large quantity of quality routes. From the over populated classic Thin Air (5.6) to Still in Saigon (5.8) and killer link ups like Windfall (5.10a) to Missing Link (5.10a) you will get what you came for. The list goes on and on and I don’t want to list them all but just remember that there is a reason the thin air face is so popular, beautiful face climbing, comfortable belays, and a few kick ass cracks thrown in for spice. Go there and have fun, just don’t plan on getting on Thin Air on a weekend without having to wait your turn.


Getting There 

Find the appropriate sign and follow the trail. The trail curves a bit, you will pass a boulder that often has chalk on it but I’ve never seen anyone on it. After the boulder you head up to Mordor Wall a huge blank rock face that deserves its name. Skirt the cliff to the left and up hill. To your right will be revealed a pretty, less than vertical rock face. On its left side it is marked by The Big Flush a dirty gully choked with trees and brush, on the right it is separated from Mordor Wall by an obvious chimney (Standard Route 5.7).

Pick your line and enjoy.



Featured Route For Thin Air Face
Andy entering the chimney at the top of the 3rd pitch of Thin Air.  Fun moves here end at a great belay ledge.

Thin Air 5.6  New Hampshire : Cathedral Ledge : Thin Air Face
Although the crux fourth pitch earns this classic climb's 5.6 rating, new and seasoned climbers alike find adventure on each of Thin Air's pitches. The run-out (but easy) first pitch gains fixed bong anchors. Pitch two's traverse protects well, but offers a keen pucker as the ground drops away (and it's sometimes a little wet) en route to bolts. P1 and P2 can be combined when traffic allows. Pitch three climbs the face into a fun chimney, gaining...[more]


Add Photo Photos of Thin Air Face
This is pitch 2, the Thin Air Traverse. I understand there used to be a few pitons along the traverse. These are no longer there but the route is easy to protect. Guide book says it's easiest to step down from the pedastal belay station at the end of p1, and then work you way up and across along a series of horizontal cracks to the cold shut belay station at the end of p2. some people run p2 and p3 together, but I didn't as I was with my 12-year-old daughter and wanted to be close to her on the traverse.

This is pitch 2, the Thin Air Traverse. I understa...

a dude on thin air on a pretty summer day...

a dude on thin air on a pretty summer day...


Add Comment Comments on Thin Air Face
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By Ladd Raine
Administrator
From: Plymouth, NH
Nov 29, 2007

By far my favorite bottom to top route on this section of cliff is the Toe Crack-Thin Air-Pine Tree Eliminate link-up. It is wonderful, hands everything from face climbing to traverses to hand-jams to a strenous finish. Just an awesome outing.

By lee hansche
From: goffstown, nh
Nov 29, 2007

That is a great link-up... another cool one for a harder day is Windfall to Missing Link to Thin Air to Airation... lots of cool 5.10 face climbing to a 5.11a finger crack... fun times...