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Can't find these routes in the Gunks

Original Post
divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90

I have the Dick Williams' guide, but I can't seem to find some of the routes mentioned here and other sites. Routes such as: Layback, Gelsa, Yum Yum Yab Yum, Petey's Spare Rib, and Disneyland and ton of others. Any idea what they were renamed to?

saxfiend · · Decatur, GA · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 4,216

I don't know Petey's Spare Rib, but all the rest of the routes you mention haven't been renamed; they're in the Nears. If the Williams guide you have is "The Climber's Guide to the Shawangunks" (aka the Grey Dick), you won't find them because this guide covers only the Trapps. Williams has a separate guide -- black cover, I'm pretty sure -- that covers the Nears; you may also be able to get your hands on the out-of-print "Gunks Select," which has routes in the Trapps, Nears and even Sky Top.

Speaking from personal experience, by the way, Gelsa and Disneyland are "don't miss!" climbs in the Nears; Layback is okay; haven't led YYYY.

JL

Robbovius · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 195

Yes, let me add my vote to Gelsa being a nears must-do. the third pitch is a blast! though most dislike the Swain guide, it doesn have the NEars listed. tho some of the route descriptions and directions are unclear, and you can wind up offroute.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911

if you walk over to the near trapps most of those routes are near the road, I was just there on Sunday. good stuff, nice walkdowns.

asmith · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 0
Robbovius wrote:Yes, let me add my vote to Gelsa being a nears must-do. the third pitch is a blast! though most dislike the Swain guide, it doesn have the NEars listed. tho some of the route descriptions and directions are unclear, and you can wind up offroute.

robbovius-gelsa in 3 pitches- sweet jesus. it goes in 1 pitch
awesome lead at that level.

my swain guide has the nears, heck it has millbrook and skytop as well. i like the swain, but then i like having the adventure of finding the route and maybe being off route.

i love layback- that was one of my first leads
yellow ridge is one of the best at the grade
alphonse and grand central
le plie, birdland, and up yours
grease gun groove is also nice.
the list goes on. man i miss the nears

divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90
saxfiend wrote:I don't know Petey's Spare Rib, but all the rest of the routes you mention haven't been renamed; they're in the Nears. If the Williams guide you have is "The Climber's Guide to the Shawangunks" (aka the Grey Dick), you won't find them because this guide covers only the Trapps. Williams has a separate guide -- black cover, I'm pretty sure -- that covers the Nears; you may also be able to get your hands on the out-of-print "Gunks Select," which has routes in the Trapps, Nears and even Sky Top. Speaking from personal experience, by the way, Gelsa and Disneyland are "don't miss!" climbs in the Nears; Layback is okay; haven't led YYYY. JL

heeheh, I can't help it, but so "Grey Dick" doesn't have the information, who has a "Black Dick"? I'll check the Swain guide. Thanks for the clarification.

George Best · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2007 · Points: 5

LayBack(P1)and Gelsa are worth the wait to do if there is a line. I never got on the second pitch of Layback and couldn't do the offwith/chimney start, but there is a nice crimpy/slabby start to the left that was a bit PG-13 if I recall correctly.

Jim Sweeney · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 30

div,

Mr. Williams is updating his guide to the Nears. Rumor has it as being released this year.

Jim

saxfiend · · Decatur, GA · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 4,216
George Best wrote:LayBack(P1)and Gelsa are worth the wait to do if there is a line. I never got on the second pitch of Layback and couldn't do the offwith/chimney start, but there is a nice crimpy/slabby start to the left that was a bit PG-13 if I recall correctly.

George -- I hope you take another shot at Layback. P2 is the best part; the payoff for grunting your way through the start of P1!

JL

Brian Aitken · · New York, NY · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 400

If you go on a weekend a really easy way to find any of these classics is by asking any one of the thousand climbers "Hey, you know where Gelsa is?"

I highly recomend Disneyland... as far as 5.6's go in the Nears it's at the top of the list.

On weekends there's typically a line for any of these routes.

BTW: I relocated to New York this month (not in Colorado anymore - great climbing with all of you folks though). So if anyone wants to hit up the Gunks let me know.

- Brian

robbb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 0
asmith wrote: robbovius-gelsa in 3 pitches- sweet jesus. it goes in 1 pitch awesome

Not when your limit is 5.3

rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526

Petie's Spare Rib is at Skytop.

The Williams guide to the Near Trapps, which has at least 100 new routes in it, is at the printers now and is supposed to be ready in early September.

In the meantime, its either Swain or Black Dick.

Ron Olsen · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 11,345

Dick Williams' ?1991 guide to the Near Trapps and Millbrook? (aka Black Dick) is available from several sellers through Amazon.com.

GMBurns · · The Fucking Moon, man, the… · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 470
Ron Olsen wrote:Dick Williams' ?1991 guide to the Near Trapps and Millbrook? (aka Black Dick) is available from several sellers through Amazon.com.

Also available at Rock And Snow in town.

Heard the new Dick that will include the Nears comes out late this fall / early winter.

Or

Gunks Posts - includes Nears and Trapps so click the labels for specific routes

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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