"Climbing in W. Mass and CT Sucks!"

Funny story about West Rock: when I first got into climbing, a bunch of my CT friends were like, "Oh, you need to talk to ___. I think you'd get along." Where ___ is a lady we'll call Mary (not her real name). Mary had exactly one rock climbing experience in her entire life. Apparently, after a rough breakup, Mary had gotten into a mood and decided to free solo West Rock. Without any experience or gear, she began scaling the cliff using only her hands and tennis shoes. About halfway up, she got stuck. Unable to continue or downclimb, she stayed there for hours until she was able to attract the attention of some passing parkgoers. One thing led to another and she was eventually rescued via helicopter.

My friends seemingly thought this is what I was doing. Half a decade later, I'm happy to report I've never done anything nearly that reckless nor have I ever required any rescue.

Forrest Carver wrote: I thought Ragged in CT was pretty awesome. Traprock feels amazing on the hands IMO, probably my favorite kind of rock to climb on.

And it's cool/shocking to climb the same routes that Fritz Weissner was climbing almost a century ago with a hemp rope tied around his waist

It is pretty good, plenty of heady leads and plenty of top ropes on fun rock. Plenty of choss too. It would be weird as fuck to live in CT and not have climbed the local rock.

David Kerkeslager wrote: Funny story about West Rock: when I first got into climbing, a bunch of my CT friends were like, "Oh, you need to talk to ___. I think you'd get along." Where ___ is a lady we'll call Mary (not her real name). Mary had exactly one rock climbing experience in her entire life. Apparently, after a rough breakup, Mary had gotten into a mood and decided to free solo West Rock. Without any experience or gear, she began scaling the cliff using only her hands and tennis shoes. About halfway up, she got stuck. Unable to continue or downclimb, she stayed there for hours until she was able to attract the attention of some passing parkgoers. One thing led to another and she was eventually rescued via helicopter.

My friends seemingly thought this is what I was doing. Half a decade later, I'm happy to report I've never done anything nearly that reckless nor have I ever required any rescue.

In what year did this happen?

Tylerpratt wrote:

In what year did this happen?

I'd rather not give away too many details that would make her easier to identify. There's no need to embarrass her so long after the fact.

I will say, it's not actually an uncommon occurrence. Having a big awesome cliff so accessible to a major urban center means a lot of people wandering by every year. It happens once or twice a year.

2 year fellowship...if it's good for your career, then heck yeah you can survive here as a climber. You will have to log some hours in the car to ice climb.

Just be careful not to meet some sexy love partner and have kids and then get sucked in for life by the convenience of the nearby in-laws

Farley, MA is awesome with sport and mixed sport/ trad. Ragged Mountain in CT is alright but worth a day trip. There are a lot of smaller cliffs in that area

There is a lot of bouldering in Western Mass and Connecticut.

Western Massachusetts Climber's Coalition is active climber advocacy group with the best info on issues at the local crags. I suggest checking out their website.

JohnnyG wrote: 2 year fellowship...if it's good for your career, then heck yeah you can survive here as a climber. You will have to log some hours in the car to ice climb.

Just be careful not to meet some sexy love partner and have kids and then get sucked in for life by the convenience of the nearby in-laws

CT is known for keeping the lambs on the farm. 

It’s not horrible out here it’s just really hard to find climbing partners

Courtney Fahlin wrote: It’s not horrible out here it’s just really hard to find climbing partners

That is the crux for me as well. I'm always looking for climbing partners week days.  I'm retired so I can pick and choose the days for weather.  Weekends not a problem.  Lots of climbing friends have to do that work thing.  

Ken's green book alone should occupy you for nearly two years. Nevermind the rest of the state. 

Mobes Mobesely wrote: Michael, you need more sleep bro. I suggest 10 to 20 drops of some western mass green dragon.

you got the skunk bro?

Not sure why this thread was resurrected. But I might as well post follow up. Ended up doing a one year fellowship in Boston. Climbed a lot at Farley which is obviously great; and explored a bunch of the crags in CT. Other than the wierd suburban vibe and aforementioned bolting issues, I have to say that the rock quality is excellent and unique for the east coast. Some of the face climbs at ragged would be the best in the east with a few bolts on them IMO.  And some of the trad climbs are terrific! Plus it’s worth driving to CT just so you can go to Frank Pepe!!!

Nick W wrote: Some of the face climbs at ragged would be the best in the east with a few bolts on them IMO.

Heresy!

Well CT certainly sucks on many levels, but NOT the climbing!  You don't get the height of NH and CO, but EVERYTHING is sandbagged!  Lot's of hard single pitch.  In addition to traprock/craprock(hate it)  there is also Granitite, schist and some other "pinchy" stuff.  There are really nice peaceful hikes to the climbing and much adventure. Also, some pretty cool ice climbs if you know where to look.  I would be more concerned with the "attitude problem" in CT and MA and the fact that it's just about un-liveable if you are a working person.  Oh and Springfield is a dangerous place!

Rich W wrote: I would be more concerned with the "attitude problem" in CT and MA...

???

 and the fact that it's just about un-liveable if you are a working person.

???

I'm curious, having moved from Wallingford CT 19 years ago after living there for 22.

Ridiculously over taxed, horrible roads, corrupt government, worst place to retire, in top 5 for cost of living, about 2 decent weeks of weather all year, go anywhere else in the country, New England attitude proceeds itself.  

Rich W wrote: Ridiculously over taxed, horrible roads, corrupt government, worst place to retire, in top 5 for cost of living, about 2 decent weeks of weather all year, go anywhere else in the country, New England attitude proceeds itself.  

What is this "New England attitude" of which you speak?

Rich W wrote: Ridiculously over taxed, horrible roads, corrupt government,...

Compared to.....?

...worst place to retire,

According to the AARP, the top 10 worst states:
1) Illinois - Poor fiscal health
2) California - Expensive, and its finances are in disarray
3) New York - Very high taxes, including property taxes
4) Rhode Island - Worst off state in the Northeast from a financial viewpoint; high taxes
5) New Jersey - Highest property taxes in the United States; has pension funding issues
6) Ohio -  High unemployment and cold winters
7) Wisconsin -  High property taxes and frigid weather
8) Massachusetts -  High cost of living and high property taxes
9) Connecticut -  Taxes Social Security and has high property taxes
10) Nevada - Foreclosure capital of the world

 in top 5 for cost of living, 

yep

about 2 decent weeks of weather all year, go anywhere else in the country

Could be said of all of New England, well, from my western perspective, anywhere east of Denver.

...New England attitude proceeds itself.

Having lived there for over 20 years, I understand what you imply.  

Not being combative or trolling - genuinely interested in your comments as I haven't been there in 19 years.

dragons wrote:

What is this "New England attitude" of which you speak?

I think he means that a large part of CT and possibly a portion of MA should be excluded of New Englander status like all of NY is.