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All Locations > Virginia > DC & Northern V… > Great Falls > Romeo's Ladder

Romeo's Ladder

5.7 YDS 5a French 15 Ewbanks V+ UIAA 13 ZA MVS 4b British


 Avg: 2.7 from 40 votes

Routes in Romeo's Ladder

Delivery Room T,TR 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
Demon, The T,TR 5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
Descent T,TR 3rd 1- 1 I 1 M 1a
Entropy T,TR 5.11- 6c 22 VIII+ 22 E3 5c
Ergometer T,TR 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
Lunging Ledges TR 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
Lungng Ledges Direct T,TR 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13
Original Juliet's Balcony T,TR 5.1 2 6 II 7 MD 2a
Oyster T,TR 5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
Romeo's Ladder T,TR 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
Romeo's Left T,TR 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
Romeo's Nose T,TR 5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
Romeo's Retreat T,TR 5.0 2- 4 I 6 MM 1c
Romeo's Right T,TR 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
Order Wrong? Sort Routes
Type: Trad, TR, 35 ft
FA: Don Hubbard
Page Views: 4,985 total · 51/month
Shared By: Peter Jackson on Aug 10, 2010 with updates from Brian Malone
Admins: Aaron Parlier, Shawn Heath, Jake Jones

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Description

Center jam cracks up through the upstream-facing face. The hand jams are amazing, though there are a few face holds to help you out.

First Ascent was Don Hubbard as mentioned.
Additional Information: The Year Don Hubbard first climbed Romeo's Ladder was 1940.
Source: A Climber' Guide to Great Falls Park
Nelson, B.A. and Grossman, S.I.
Geneva Spur Limited, Virgina 1975.

Location

Just shy of 500 Feet downstream of Juliet's Balcony. There's a large, upstream-facing corner with fist-width cracks throughout. The classic Romeo's Ladder route runs directly up the center of the crack system.

Protection

Toprope is best. Can be led with fist-sized pro, but leading at Great Falls is not recommended. Pro pulls out of the rock.

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Photos

Unnamed climbers on Romeo's Ladder. Photo circa 1993.
Unnamed climbers on Romeo's Ladder. Photo circa…
 3
Romeo's ladder at sunset in December.
Romeo's ladder at sunset in December.
 1
Romeo's Ladder in February
Romeo's Ladder in February
 1
Dave sending
Dave sending
 0
Romeo's ladder
Romeo's ladder
 0
Romeo's
Romeo's
 0
Opening up on Romeo's ladder
Opening up on Romeo's ladder
 0
Romeo's Ladder & Romeo's Nose climbed with our TR
Romeo's Ladder & Romeo's Nose climbed with our TR
 0

5 Comments

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Michael Fraizer
Michael Fraizer  
Romeo's Ladder is 450 feet downstream from Juliet's Balcony. Feb 1, 2014
Peter Jackson
Rumney, NH
 
Peter Jackson   Rumney, NH
 
Thanks Michael. I updated the text to reflect the longer walk. Feb 3, 2014
Brian Malone
Olney, MD
 
Brian Malone   Olney, MD
 
This climb is perputually rigged on the weekends. Get there early if you want to climb it.. Jun 1, 2015
Peter Jackson
Rumney, NH
 
Peter Jackson   Rumney, NH
 
@brian Romeo's Ladder was your first climb in 1978? That's awesome! It must have been much harder (but doable) in the footgear of the time. My first time up this route I was wearing Doc Martin boots.

It's definitely a popular route, and with good reason. Jun 2, 2015
Brian Malone
Olney, MD
 
Brian Malone   Olney, MD
 
@Peter Yes, it was my very first climb. It is where our class first began. That class was taught by Barry Nelson and Stan Grossman of Geneva Spur Ltd. (whom I see you've noted in the description) Jun 20, 2016

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