Jimmy Cliff is a schist crag at Rumney that is really is composed of two separate walls that are in close proximity of each other. Locals refer to the whole crag simply as "Jimmy Cliff," but when a distinction needs to be made, people refer to either the left or right side of the crag. Both parts of Jimmy Cliff are situated high on Rattlesnake Mountain, which makes Jimmy Cliff one of the least "seepy" crags at Rumney. Both crags also tend to receive a breeze and partial or full sun. Taken together, these attributes make Jimmy cliff a good choice after a rain.
Jimmy Cliff sees it's fair share of traffic, especially as parties filter their way up from lower crags. Both sides of the crags have a number of easy and moderate climbs close together, which make them popular with large groups of beginners that are willing to walk more than 20 feet from the parking lot.
Notable climbs include the multipitch slab hike Clippidy-Do-Dah (5.5), the bouldery and short Things as They Are Now (5.12a), and Lonesome Dove (5.10a) a must-do four star slab climb that will leave aspiring rock jocks scratching their head.
Getting There
The approach is maybe 20-30 minutes long. Avoid putting on that extra layer in the parking lot, because you'll probably be sweating by the time you reach the crag.
From the Rumney parking lot, continue hiking down Buffalo Road. Show respect to local residents by walking single file on the left (facing traffic) whenever possible. After the road bends right, begin looking for an obvious trail on the right hand side of the road that is near utility pole #37 or #38. Continue up this progressively steepening trail past a series of boulders, following wooden signs for Darth Vader or Waimea. The first obvious crag you get to is Lower Darth Vader. Continue left here, walking left on the talus below the crag, and up stone steps. The next crag you get to will be the impressive Waimea. After gawking at the wildly overhung climbs and possibly wildly hung over climbers, follow a short series of stone steps and safety lines up and right from waimea, take a left up the next obvious trail, which ascends to Jimmy Cliff. When you get to a fork in the trail, decide whether you want to go to the left or right end Jimmy Cliff.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Jimmy Cliff:
Junco starts with easy slab climbing. Thought provoking moves gain a stellar finger crack. Lay back and jam (crux) over the top bulge with considerable exposure and a fabulous view. My favorite 5.8 at Rumney....[more]Browse More Classics in NH
If your friends are trying climbing for the first time, are willing to take a little hike, and you want something harder to work on...give this crag a try you will not be disappointed. I brought a first time climber out and she onsighted one of the easy/moderates while the more experience climbers played on the 5.9's, 10's, and 12's. Good times. trust me.
Yeah Matt... i just put up a description... i hadn't realized that it was yet to be posted... It has been years since i have done it but i remembered the general idea and put what i remembered...
The other day I dragged the trad gear up to Jimmy Cliff and i ended up leading the gully between clip-a-dee-do-dah and Lady and Tramp. it was fun but a little run out. should I post something like this or leave it as a comment?
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