Where to climb in Dec??

Hey Everyone,

Originally from Coventry, RI...live in San Diego, CA now.
Heading back to Lil Rhody for Christmas and was looking for some heads up on good climbing areas, routes, etc. for that time of year...

Also trying to figure out what type of climbing i can fit in[or would be most advantageous](gotta fit the gear in my luggage and cough up the dough). Was thinking about bringing a pad, cause it seems there's a lot of bouldering(but it's gonna prob cost $50 on the plane, or a rack of singles and some alpine draws and some webbing).

Willing to travel in New England for a nice day trip, but on the other hand, could get more regular climbing in if i kept it local(gotta spend some time with the family too, ya know). So i've done very little climbing back east, but under the impression that all the local stuff is TR or Bouldering.

climb v6/12's
(I'll be just coming out of a training sesh and would love to crush some classic hard routes[oh yea, my brother will prob tag along and he's new to climbing some easy stuff would be best for him].

Appreciate any beta you can throw at me!
Thanks,

Dave

If you climb ice, I'll be in a similar situation and may be looking for partners (in NH though).

Might get lucky and have decent conditions for bouldering/sport stuff, but having driven through a blizzard two days after Christmas three years ago, I wouldn't be paying to ship a pad. I'll probably have rope, draws, trad and alpine stuff with me if you're interested (and the weather plays nicely).

Pat

If there is no standing snow, a sunny Dec day bouldering at Lincoln Woods can be quite pleasant. Then there is south- or east-facing stuff in CT that you can trad climb or TR.
The key to rock climbing in Dec is no standing/melting snow, sunny day, little or no wind, and south facing walls. And of course dress for the weather and chemical heat pads for the hands and chalk bag.
And a thermos full of hot tea.

Assuming there isn't a ton of snow, the Gunks can be climbed year 'round. Just avoid the right facing dihedrals (cold/shaded). The Near Trapps stay sunny the longest. Ymmv

PatCleary wrote:If you climb ice, I'll be in a similar situation and may be looking for partners (in NH though). Might get lucky and have decent conditions for bouldering/sport stuff, but having driven through a blizzard two days after Christmas three years ago, I wouldn't be paying to ship a pad. I'll probably have rope, draws, trad and alpine stuff with me if you're interested (and the weather plays nicely). Pat

Pat,

I don't ice climb...but would be down for anything else. Gimme a buzz while your out there, we'll see if we can meet up.
Good call with the pad, could be a total waste.

7609365125
Dave

Southwest airlines has always treated bouldering pads as sporting equipment for me...no luggage charge. I've checked pads to Colorado several years in a row and had no charges with Southwest.

freezeus wrote:Southwest airlines has always treated bouldering pads as sporting equipment for me...no luggage charge. I've checked pads to Colorado several years in a row and had no charges with Southwest.

Thanks...i'll have to look into that....Lincoln Woods looks pretty badass, and it's prob the closest climbing to where my family is at.

Thanks everyone,
appreciate all the advice.

Dave

dave,
Lincoln woods is a good winter spot if there is no snow yet and has lots of classic problems in the v4-v6 range. CT also has some good sport climbing pretty close to the RI border. I would bring a small rack and some draws and a rope. You can rent crash pads at the Rock Spot in Lincoln, RI for 10 bucks/day for reg. size and 15/day for large size pad.

mikeinvt wrote:dave, Lincoln woods is a good winter spot if there is no snow yet and has lots of classic problems in the v4-v6 range. CT also has some good sport climbing pretty close to the RI border. I would bring a small rack and some draws and a rope. You can rent crash pads at the Rock Spot in Lincoln, RI for 10 bucks/day for reg. size and 15/day for large size pad.

Mike,

Awesome info, thanks!!!