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Elevation: 750 ft
GPS: 41.75164, -72.48042
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Shared By: Maverick on Jul 22, 2019
Admins: Morgan Patterson

Description Suggest change

Gollum's Playground is a fun bouldering area at Case Mountain with a variety of routes, both in type and difficulty, most of which just waiting to be established.  The rock here is generally coarse with many sharp holds and some smoother/softer ones. It is along side a portion of the Yellow trail, which runs parallel to the long vertical wall.  This is one of the largest, if not the largest, bouldering spots at Case.  From left to right when looking from the Yellow Trail, there is a long vertical wall (Main Wall), a long Overhanging Wall (or cave if you really want to call it that), and a smaller vertical "Quartz Wall" with two veins of quartz running up it.
    The "Main Wall" is nearly perfectly vertical and segmented into 3 obvious sections.  The middle of which has the smallest holds and presumably the hardest problems (still needs to be established).  The others have a bit larger cracks and holds.  The vertical walls are made of very solid rock.  Most of the holds are thin horizontal cracks.
    90 degrees from the "Main Wall" is the long "Overhanging Wall" that is fully featured with lots of positive holds.  There is a large amount of potential problems here and you can do some really fun traverses as well.  Some of the holds have sharp spots, so watch out where you put your hands.  The rock is very solid for the most part, but some loose pieces can be found, especially down low, so it's not a bad idea to check out the thinner flakes before cranking on them.  There are lots of crimps on this wall mixed some side-pulls and larger flakes.  Many of the routes have some big moves and heel hooking is often a good option.
    Looking from the Yellow Trail, the Quartz Wall is immediately to the right of the inlet to the Overhanging Wall.  It isn't as wide as the Main wall but still has room for a couple easier problems currently waiting to be established and potentially one harder fingery problem. There are 2 veins of quartz running vertically up this wall that make it look cool and give it its own character as well as some horizontal cracks.
    There are also 2 nearby walls; Chipmunk Wall and Lego Wall, SW of the actual Playground proper, which are good for beginner warm-ups or just for funsies.

    Harder routes along with several others still need to be established by someone better/stronger than myself and the routes listed here are in no way comprehensive or the complete picture of the potential here.

Getting There Suggest change

Currently the best place to get to the area is to park at the end of Rock Ridge Rd in Manchester.  It is a cul-de-sac that has been in "development" for quite some time tho not much has happened.  There is a dirt road at the end of the cul-de-sac, but this is private property so please do not use this.  At the entrance to the cul-de-sac, there is a sidewalk with some overgrowth/trees.  Underneath the trees is where there is a path that is a little overgrown but is on a thin tract of Town Property, so please use this. Also, it is a more direct way. Follow the mtb paths and keep staying right at any intersections. After about 5 minutes, you should arrive.

13 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Gollum's Playground

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1+ 5
 4
Faramir's Quality
Boulder
V3 6A
 6
Entering Shelob's Lair
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Faramir's Quality
 4
V1+ 5 Boulder
Entering Shelob's Lair
 6
V3 6A Boulder
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