The Spider's Web  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  56,112. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Jim Lawyer, Chris Duca, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Chris Duca on Aug 1, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

The angle and the rock. Photo by Graham McDowell

Description 

The Web needs very little introduction. The visual one gets of this diamond as it sits high above the West side of Route 73 is enough to both silence Web neophytes and evoke long diatribes of banter from locals and those who've only visited a few times.

This gently overhanging, crack-riddled face is home to the highest concentration of sustained Adirondack test-pieces. Aesthetic lines such as "It's Only Entertainment" (11c), "Fear and Loathing in Keene Valley" (11b), "Esthesia" (Dacks 9+), "TR" (10-), and "Zabba" (13b) are among the best crack climbs in the Northeast, hands down, and all stand testament that climbers have been--and still are--cranking hard in the Northeast. If you've never been here before, be prepared for a big pump as many of the grades are of the traditional, old-school variety. (One should note that Henry Barber's name is attached to many of the classics on this cliff.)

It is peculiar, however, that such an array of high quality crack climbs sees very little traffic on splitter days throughout the climbing season. It is a great choice on crispy Spring and Fall days, as it receives a plethora of sun, plus it dries out quickly due to its' steep orientation. But whatever the reason or reasons for it's sleepiness, let it remain that way, as the Web is a magical place with cosmic lines on some of the best Rock in the Northeast.

Getting There 

Head North along Route 73 from The New York Thruway (Route 87) into Keene Valley. You will pass Chapel Pond on the left after about 10 minutes of driving. Start looking for a small pull-off on the right afte about 1/8 of a mile next to a guardrail beneath the cliff. Alternately, you can park across the street from the cliff in the campground area parking lot.

Hike down the climbers trail marker by the "Grimpers" sign, through and then up the talus field. There is no designated trail or blazes once you get onto the talus proper, just stay low and trend left, as you may cliff yourself if you go up and right too soon.

The Classics

Featured Route For The Spider's Web

Wheelin N' Dealin 5.13c R  NY : Adirondacks : ... : The Spider's Web

This route is the result of three and a half months of work and probably close to 20 big falls from the crux including a "cartwheel whipper" which is where the name comes from.Pull the initial roof with some burly campus-like moves to a nice rest out right. Step back left into the seam and place some small gear before punching it to the horizontal. Rest here and get psyched for the crux above! Climb to a strenuous stance where you can place an improbable offset nut and green-yellow hybrid alien ...[more]   Browse More Classics in NY

Photos of The Spider's Web Slideshow

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Jaime on Zabba (5.13b)	Another shot of Jaime on Zabba (5.13b)	Matt McCormick working Wheelin N' Dealin