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Samp Mortar / Mt. Laurel Bouldering
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| Elevation: | 100 ft | 30 m |
| GPS: |
41.1871, -73.2634 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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| Page Views: | 45,575 total · 288/month | |
| Shared By: | Morgan Patterson on Dec 7, 2011 | |
| Admins: | Morgan Patterson |
Description
The bouldering here is located across two different town parks, Samp Mortar Rock & Mountain Laurel Park. Folks have been bouldering at the two parks for at least two decades possibly even longer.
Originally, the Samp Mortar was used by aboriginal groups as a quartz quarry, the remnants of which are visible on the walk into the Samp Mortar area. Tucked away below a broken schist cliffband is a pile of 5 or so large blocks. These blocks have a large variety of problems on them ranging from V0-V11/V12, from 1 move wonders to huge High Balls.
Mt. Laurel Park is located on the other end of the cliff band and hosts several great climbs from V0-V10. The landings and problems in this area are not quite as good as the Samp Mortar side but still quite worthy.
The cliff band that connects these two areas is very intriguing with many unique features and probably the largest hueco in Connecticut but offers little in the way of safe climbing as the schist has a high mica content and tends to just crumbles away. There is a very unique 30ft horizontal roof here which may have a route or two on it but it looks as if it one day could collapse (probably won't though). There is a small alcove in between the two areas that has had some development with a nice arete climb, a great moderate HB face climb, and some low ball problems as well as a larger overhanging face of high quality rock with only a few problems.
Originally, the Samp Mortar was used by aboriginal groups as a quartz quarry, the remnants of which are visible on the walk into the Samp Mortar area. Tucked away below a broken schist cliffband is a pile of 5 or so large blocks. These blocks have a large variety of problems on them ranging from V0-V11/V12, from 1 move wonders to huge High Balls.
Mt. Laurel Park is located on the other end of the cliff band and hosts several great climbs from V0-V10. The landings and problems in this area are not quite as good as the Samp Mortar side but still quite worthy.
The cliff band that connects these two areas is very intriguing with many unique features and probably the largest hueco in Connecticut but offers little in the way of safe climbing as the schist has a high mica content and tends to just crumbles away. There is a very unique 30ft horizontal roof here which may have a route or two on it but it looks as if it one day could collapse (probably won't though). There is a small alcove in between the two areas that has had some development with a nice arete climb, a great moderate HB face climb, and some low ball problems as well as a larger overhanging face of high quality rock with only a few problems.
Getting There
SAMP MORTAR:
From the Merritt Parkway:
1. Get off exit 44
2. Travel south on the Black rock Turnpike
3. Take right on Samp Mortar Dr
4. Take your first right onto Springer Rd
5. Follow to the end of the road just before dead end is the park entrance.
From 95:
1. Get off exit 24
2. Travel North on the Black rock Turnpike
3. Take left on Samp Mortar Dr
4. Take your first right onto Springer Rd
5. Follow to the end of the road just before dead end is the park
MOUNTAIN LAUREL
1. Turn onto Springer Rd and turn left onto Mountain Laurel Rd.
2. Continue straight past a large slab on your right.
3. Proceed 100 yrds further and look for a parking on your right.
From the Merritt Parkway:
1. Get off exit 44
2. Travel south on the Black rock Turnpike
3. Take right on Samp Mortar Dr
4. Take your first right onto Springer Rd
5. Follow to the end of the road just before dead end is the park entrance.
From 95:
1. Get off exit 24
2. Travel North on the Black rock Turnpike
3. Take left on Samp Mortar Dr
4. Take your first right onto Springer Rd
5. Follow to the end of the road just before dead end is the park
MOUNTAIN LAUREL
1. Turn onto Springer Rd and turn left onto Mountain Laurel Rd.
2. Continue straight past a large slab on your right.
3. Proceed 100 yrds further and look for a parking on your right.
Classic Climbing Routes at Samp Mortar / Mt. Laurel
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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