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Elevation: 348 ft 106 m
GPS: 42.9986, -71.4869
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 50,256 total · 239/month
Shared By: Lee Hansche on Jun 14, 2007
Admins: Jay Knower, M Sprague, Jeffrey LeCours, Jonathan S, Robert Hall

Description Suggest change

This is one of the best beginner cliffs in NH. But some how the crowds don't flock here on the weekends like they do to Rumney, Pawtuckaway, Echo Crag etc. even though many drive right by Rimmon to get to those other crags. Why? well, rock Rimmon is, for lack of a better term... 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 mill yard. 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. It doesn't have to be this way. If the park got more traffic from climbers and non-climbers the sketchy activities would slow enough for us to make a difference. There is always some motivated local working hard to make a difference at Rimmon. If enough of us take part we could win this age old battle.

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. Thankfully the revitalization of the playground and basketball courts has brought in more people. With the influx of people there has been a bit less tomfoolery around the cliffs. Fingers crossed for a bright Rock Rimmon future.  

So, what do we do until we can take back Rimmon? I use the cliff from time to time, but I take a few steps to make sure I can stay safe.

-Always wear a helmet (incase of items dropped or thrown from above).

-If there are people around that sketch you out, leave. Or call the cops if what they are doing might be illegal.

-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 established 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 Suggest change

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....

34 Total Climbs

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Location: Rock Rimmon Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Rock Rimmon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c
 16
Gravy Train
Trad
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a R
 18
Tippy Toe
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 12
Angel Left
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 21
Powder Puff
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 7
Beginners Route
Trad
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 11
Zig Zag
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 5
Butterfly
Trad
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 4
Beginners Direct
Trad
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13
 14
Creatures Creation
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 9
Armpits
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 5
Angel right
Trad, TR
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13
 6
Persperation
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 5
Little Plum
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 12
The Devil
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 5
The Mangler
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Gravy Train Tippy Toe Slabs (far…
 16
5.2 3 8 II 8 D 2c Trad
Tippy Toe Tippy Toe Slabs (far…
 18
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a R Trad
Angel Left Right Side
 12
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Powder Puff Left Side
 21
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Beginners Route Left Side
 7
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Zig Zag Left Side
 11
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad
Butterfly Right Side
 5
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Beginners Direct Left Side
 4
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Creatures Creation Left Side
 14
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 Trad
Armpits Central Section
 9
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Angel right Right Side
 5
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad, TR
Persperation Central Section
 6
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 Trad
Little Plum Right Side
 5
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
The Devil Central Section
 12
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
The Mangler Left Side
 5
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
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