Mount Oscar Rock Climbing
Elevation: | 2,172 ft | 662 m |
GPS: |
44.24859, -71.48615 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 38,867 total · 195/month | |
Shared By: | Robert Hall on Jul 12, 2008 · Updates | |
Admins: | Jay Knower, M Sprague, Jeffrey LeCours, Jonathan S, Robert Hall |
Description
Jon Skyes's "The Notches" (eaglecliffpub.com) contains excellent coverage of this cliff. 37 climbs are listed including many newer routes and variations, excellent photos (esp. of STARTs), and routes not included herein. Be WARNED, I quote from page 83 of "The Notches": " Be prepared for stiff ratings."
I have added FA info and made some corrections to routes here in mountainproject on the basis of that reference.
There are two Mt Oscar climbing areas, as shown by the excellent photo by Jamie Cunningham. The area described herein is the left-side, a.k.a. the "lower" (or perhaps "northern", or even "western") area.
The right side was developed by the climbers and guides operating out of the Breton Woods Mt Washington Hotel. At one time you could purchase, for about $3, a small, 4-5 page guide at the front desk of the Ski Resort (NOT the Hotel!). This cliff, which is East of the main cliff described herein, is (unfortunately) often referred to as "West" (or "Western") since from the ski area's point of view it is on what they call "West Mountain". In the summer chairlift rides ($5 per person, as of 2017) are offered. From the top of the chairlift the cliff/slab is about a 15-20 min, mostly downhill, walk. Follow the marked walking trail towards West Mountain, and about 1/2 way there the "Rock Climber's only" path splits off left. It's actually a quite enjoyable slab, excellent for training, bolted belays and many climbs have bolts but a small trad rack is also suggested. A single 60m will usually get you down from bolted belay/rap station to the next, or the ground. Don't forget to be back before they close the chairlift, or hike back down to your car.
As pointed out on Jamie's photo, there's a "middle" area that seems yet(?) to be developed.
Getting There
Usual Approach: Drive (or walk/ski if road is closed) south on the Zealand Road from Rt 302 for 1.0 mile to the parking lot for Sugarloaf Trail. [Day-use parking fee*] There is a gated fire service road on the East side of the road.
Walk (or Mtn Bike) the forest service road for exactly one mile. Before the correct trail to the crag there appears to be a path ( on the left) that ends after 10 - 20 ft in total overgrowth. There is a 5 foot boulder with a small cairn on the left just before the trail to the cliff but it is hard to see as some tree branches have started to hide it. The cairn is very small and hard to see. About 30' after the boulder look for a path through the underbrush on your left. You should see broken branches and other signs of past passages. 50-75 ft of underbrush leads to a path through the open forest where there is another small cairn on a rock. Another 5-10 min and you arrive at the climbs Oscar Meyer and Touch of Grey.
GPS Coordinates are set to this location. (base at approx. Oscar Meyer / Touch of Grey)
Re the fee*: It's $5/day (2019) or any of several annual($25) or lifetime passes ($80 lifetime if 62 or older [it once was only $10 !). The fee applies to any parking here, on both sides of the road. If you don't have a pass and don't want to pay, there's a pull out on the right ('west') in another 1/4 mile that's free; just don't block the gate. This "free parking" also works for Sugarloaf...just walk up the fire-road to the right until the Sugarloaf trail crosses at a 90-degree angle.t
Classic Climbing Routes at Mount Oscar
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