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Breakneck Bridge

Pennsylvania > Northwest > McConnells Mill SP

Description

Quieter crag away from the Rim road area. Shaded and cool due to the waterfall/creek nearby. It's not geographically far from the Main area, but the permanently closed road makes the driving trip longer.

This area has traditionally been left as more of an adventurous area, and there are plenty of lines awaiting more traffic. The rock is good, similar to the Rim road area, but dirtier due to few people going there.

Getting There

Make a left towards breakneck bridge at the fork in the State Park, follow Kennedy road and make a right at the intersection onto Cheesman Rd. Follow it down to the landing, there's a guard rail and a defunct bridge on your left. Park there. 

For the approach, please disregard the walking directions in the print guide (which had you walking down the steep hill, which is dangerous and prone to erosion). Through an Access Fund grant, an alternate approach has been developed at the base of the hill. You may still wish to park at the guardrail to rig any top ropes from the top of the cliff (use extreme caution rigging near the cliff edge); however, to access the bottom of the cliffs, drive all the way to the bottom of the hill and park on Eckert Bridge. Walk downstream on the clearly marked trail (same side of the river which you drove down), passing some boulders. Cross the creek and turn left up through some boulders to the South Wall. Cross back across the stream, behind the waterfall, to access the North Wall.  

Routes from Left to Right

V5 6C
 2
The Vibrating Rabbit
Boulder
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
 2
Unknown
Trad, TR
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 2
The Soggy Noggin
TR
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 12
Frosted Flake
Trad, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13
 4
Unkown
Trad, TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Vibrating Rabbit
 2
V5 6C Boulder
Unknown
 2
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13 Trad, TR
The Soggy Noggin
 2
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c TR
Frosted Flake
 12
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, TR
Unkown
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13 Trad, TR

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Waterfall
[Hide Photo] Waterfall
Most of the climbs have been lonesome for a while and need a little cleaning love, but there are some pretty great routes.
[Hide Photo] Most of the climbs have been lonesome for a while and need a little cleaning love, but there are some pretty great routes.
Main Wall, Right of the Waterfall
[Hide Photo] Main Wall, Right of the Waterfall

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

SWPACC
Southwestern Pennsylvania
[Hide Comment] For the approach, please disregard the walking directions in the print guide (which had you walking down the steep hill, which is dangerous and prone to erosion). Through an Access Fund grant, an alternate approach has been developed at the base of the hill. You may still wish to park at the guardrail to rig any top ropes from the top of the cliff (use extreme caution rigging near the cliff edge); however, to access the bottom of the cliffs, drive all the way to the bottom of the hill and park on Eckert Bridge. Walk downstream on the clearly marked trail (same side of the river which you drove down), passing some boulders. Cross the creek and turn left up through some boulders to the South Wall. Cross back across the stream, behind the waterfall, to access the North Wall. Sep 16, 2021
Casey M
SL, UT
[Hide Comment] Checked out this area for the first time as opposed to the normal climbing at Rim Road. I would agree with the description. There are at least a few decent climbs here. Nice that its not as popular, but also in that regard not as clean or developed. I wasn't a huge fan of setting up the tope rope here. The ledge is a bit sketch. Its narrow, off camber, and the dirt and leaves don't leave much traction. Definitely use caution as the description says. There also weren't too many good trees to work with. Plan on bringing some long cord. I would've felt a lot better if there were anchor bolts. That said, if you're looking for an alternative the climbs are fun. Just a bit more work for em. Jun 13, 2022