The Alaskan Wall  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  1,083. Good page?    Administrators:  Jay Knower, M Sprague, lee hansche, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  M Sprague on Oct 13, 2010 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Owl's Cliff - Left, Alaskan Wall topo

Description 

The Alaskan Face is the sector that you first come to when approaching the cliff. It is a bit over 200 feet tall and is bounded by the large Smoky Dike gully around to the left and the big wide crack/corner formed by the intersection of the White Owl Face on the right.

Most routes only go to the mid height break, with only one currently wondering up to the top through the Turkey Rock looking blocky roofs above the left side. Right above the approach trail, "Owling Good Time" 9+ will give you a fun sampling of what Owl's has to offer at a moderate grade. Heading around right, under a short wall and up, you will find the especially note worthy name sake route "The Alaskan Slab" 12a, a super nice bolted steep slab with features including a layback ramp, finger pockets and a nice finish corner. The right most bolted route is the Chris Smith's excellent rounded 5.10c arete "Lonesome Owl", that is reminiscent of "Lonesome Dove" at Rumney.

Getting There 

The approach trail drops you off in front of and slightly to the right of "Owling Good Times". Head left for 40 feet and above you, up a short slope, you will see an obvious wide dike with the bolts of "Smoky Dike" running up the left side of it, and the angling, bolted flakes of "Ruffled Feathers" to the right. Heading right from the approach trail, you will pass under a steep short wall, then up hill 50 feet to where the cliff makes a big corner. The shear White Owl Face will be in front of you, and the Alaskan Slab to your left. "Lonesome Owl" is the low angled arete just left of the corner.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Alaskan Wall

The Alaskan Slab 5.12a  NH : Owl's Cliff (off Kancamagu... : ... : The Alaskan Wall

Yes, it's a slab, but what a good slab, and it has layback crack climbing, a pocketed section and a nice corner to finish. Even if you are not normally into slabs, I recommend you try this one. From the starting stone, head up the steep slab and angle left past a few bolts as it gradually gets steeper and more difficult. The well protected crux involves delicate balancy footwork and opposing handholds to get you up to a ramp with easier moves up a fading layback crack. This takes you up to a ste...[more]   Browse More Classics in NH