Rock Rimmon is ghetto.... From the glass glistening on the ground and sometimes in the hold, you are reaching for to the sea of beer cans and other assorted litter.... There are heckling teenagers, couples fighting in their yards, and the view of Manchester's west side right on to the millyard.... That's before getting in to how the glass got there in the first place, you guessed it, the locals make a game of throwing their beer bottles off the cliff, and if they get drunk enough, they might even aim for the climbers....
So, why do people climb at Rock Rimmon anyway? Well, it's kind of like a drunken one night stand.... It is actually quite fun, until you wake up in the morning and have to look in the mirror...haha....
In all seriousness, the real reason there is always chalk on the cliffs of Rock Rimmon Park is that the climbing is really fun, the rock is interesting and of perfect quality, and it is the easiest cliff to get to in southern NH.... It has a slew of moderates from slabs to faces and even some cracks and a couple of more challenging routes.... The location is the problem which makes a cliff that would be worshiped by the climbing community become disrespected and pissed on by punk ass city kids.... Despite the clean up efforts of local climbers bent on making Rock Rimmon a nice place to climb, nothing has really changed much, and I don't see it changing anytime soon....
So, what do we do? I use the cliff from time to time, but I take a few steps to make sure I stay sane in this hostile environment.... -Always wear a helmet (as bottles do fly off the top).... -If there are people around that sketch you out, leave.... -Watch your anchor.... I've heard stories of punks dropping people's ropes without a care that that might be someone's life line...if you can't see your anchor while you belay consider belaying from the top.... -Don't lunge for holds, they might be filled with glass.... Climb in control to avoid cutting your fingers.... -Weekday mornings and afternoons seem to be the best time to visit the cliffs to avoid sketchy activity.....
I know I'm not selling the cliff well, and I'm not trying to, but let me say this...if you took Rock Rimmon and put it in North Conway or another climbing area, it would be the most popular beginner cliff around for both top-roping and learning to lead climb.... There are solid eyebolt anchors at the top of many of the climbs from the left end slabs all the way to the steeper right hand side.... So, stay safe and enjoy this cliff as Charlie Brown once said "all it needs is a little love"....
Getting There
On Manchester's west side, take Bremer St west..take a right on to Montgomery St.... Then a left on to Mason St.... You will see the cliff at Rock Rimmon Park....
There are many options, but that is the basic idea....
Rock Rimmon (Manchester)
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