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The Good Book

5.8, Trad, 60 ft (18 m),  Avg: 3.4 from 45 votes
FA: unknown
New Hampshire > Pawtuckaway > Ridgeline
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Description

Do not miss this climb! While the Horn may take the prize for best trad climb in Pawtuckaway, this beautiful inside corner runs a close second. Start out atop a ledge with two jugs and large feet that will help you get established in the corner. Employing a variety of techniques, layback, stem, smear, and jam your way up the climb with the use of the hand crack in the back. Remember to keep your heels down or your calves will scream and if you’re not used to smearing you might feel a tad insecure. The crux comes early at a small roof, followed shortly thereafter by a lesser crux getting past the remnants of a tree. Every move is easily protected, but above all, the entire climb is enjoyable, aesthetic, and fun. It catches afternoon sun, dries quickly (the ledge at the base may not), and is the perfect excuse to get away from the crowds.

Location

Roughly two minutes walk from Boulder Natural. Follow the trail towards Devil's Den, step over a jagged, fallen tree, and turn right at a large tree with a white blaze onto a faint path uphill. There is a tiny cairn just off the trail. This inside corner is hard to miss and is the first climb you come to. Ascend a gully on the left to set up a toprope.

Protection

The crack will eat as much gear as you'll give it. Bring a lot of medium sized gear up to a #2 camalot. Anything larger probably isn't needed. Tree anchors at the top.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Tom on Good Book Crux
[Hide Photo] Tom on Good Book Crux
Classic Good Book Stemming
[Hide Photo] Classic Good Book Stemming
Justin Guarino on 'The Good Book' 5.8
[Hide Photo] Justin Guarino on 'The Good Book' 5.8
Crack above the boulder natural area kind of towards devils den...
[Hide Photo] Crack above the boulder natural area kind of towards devils den...
A view of the book looking up from the base.
[Hide Photo] A view of the book looking up from the base.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

BDalhaus
New Gloucester, ME
  5.8
[Hide Comment] As of 10/23/08, this climb is once again clean. I rapped off the top and removed the pine needles and leaves from the crack as well as scrubbed off a few holds and helpful foot smears. Oct 24, 2008
Adam Wilcox
Candia, NH
  5.8
[Hide Comment] Thanks for the cleaning. I've had my eye on this since I discovered it last winter. Might get on it tomorrow. Oct 24, 2008
Adam Wilcox
Candia, NH
  5.8
[Hide Comment] Lots of fun! My first 5.8 lead and it felt pretty secure. I found doubles of .5 to 1 useful, as well as a single #2, but I'm sure it could be done with less by those more comfortable with the grade. Oct 25, 2008
Lee Hansche
Allenstown, NH... and a van…
 
[Hide Comment] A REALLY NICE forgotten classic... The coolest thing is that it hasnt seen the traffic over the years that the other classics have seen so its not all glassy and greasy and Belive it or not, it still feels 5.8! Sep 10, 2009
[Hide Comment] This is a fun little climb-- not sure it is even 60 feet though. The directions are a bit out of date as there is no jagged tree to step over anymore. Basically just a walk a little ways up from Boulder Natural until you meet a large, living, upright pine with a newish white blaze on it, then turn right up the hill. You should see the cliff pretty quickly.

The climb is still pretty clean, though there is still decent size stick wedged tightly in the crack about half way up.

Definitely worth looking for if you are climbing at the lower slabs or upper cliffs and want a little excursion. Oct 24, 2011
AWinters
NH
  5.7
[Hide Comment] If this is 5.8 then The Horn is 5.11! There's no way that they are only a number grade apart.. Oct 8, 2013