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Amphitheatre Crack

5.9, Trad, 125 ft (38 m),  Avg: 3.6 from 31 votes
FA: Nov. 2010
New York > Adirondacks > G: Indian Lake… > Crane Mountain > Black Arches Wall

Description

The crux is the first 15'. The climbing continues to be interesting, though easier, after this.
An excellent line for the 1st 70' - which is why there are now anchors at that position.
The original ascent climbed all the way to the top, through questionable rock, poor protection, and damp sections.

NOTE: A lot of ice forms over the lip of the Birthday Corner early in the season. It falls from >30m up, landing among the base of all the Amphitheatre area routes. Even after the main winter's accumulation has fallen, nightly formations continue to bombard the area. Be watchful, wear a helmet, and if big ice is looming above on that crystalline spring morning, maybe climb somewhere else.

Location

The Amphitheatre is the set-back section of cliff, about 100 yards wide, between the Isobuttress and the Tripe Buttress. This crack lies near the center of the area, identifiable as a thin crack that sweeps right 20' up, with a couple of small rock "steps" leading up to its base.

Protection

Full set of cams from tiny to #3 C4; small tricams, a nut or two.
There is now a 2-bolt anchor at 70'; the rock above this is crumbly and dirty, so most climbers opt to finish the pitch here. These anchors also make it easy to TR neighboring routes.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Climber stands in the shallow stem box after making the crux moves.
[Hide Photo] Climber stands in the shallow stem box after making the crux moves.
Amphitheatre Crack
[Hide Photo] Amphitheatre Crack
Tom Lane styling the stem
[Hide Photo] Tom Lane styling the stem
Climber getting pro before launching into the crux
[Hide Photo] Climber getting pro before launching into the crux
Ryan H. on <em>Amphitheatre Crack</em>.
[Hide Photo] Ryan H. on Amphitheatre Crack.
Gabe Linncourt enroute to the anchors.
[Hide Photo] Gabe Linncourt enroute to the anchors.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Nick W
Orford, NH
[Hide Comment] Stellar route! Fairly sustained. The top section reminds me of the last pitch of Sons of Yesterday in Yosemite. Nov 20, 2011
Kevin Heckeler
Las Vegas, NV
  5.9-
[Hide Comment] Great climb. The actual crux is down low just after the layback. The rest of the climb has a few tricky moves, and I'm sure it feels thin on lead (but very G). Overall though I didn't think it was very hard, maybe even a little on the softer side of 5.9 Apr 16, 2012
Jay Harrison
  5.9+
[Hide Comment] Observation: when it is hot, the crux seems much more difficult. Very committing move on lead, and with that greasy-humid feel of hot days, it seems much worse.
That said, it's that one move, transitioning from layback off right to a big stem off left that shuts a lot of folks down. If you can apply a good pc of pro for that move, go for it!
There are a handful of tricky moves afterward, but none so intimidating as that 1st one, and gear is everywhere. May 16, 2012
Will Roth
Saranac Lake, NY
[Hide Comment] Good route for your first 5.9 since the gear is solid and the jams are plentiful. I would agree that it is a "soft" 5.9. The crux is the first 15 or so feet then it eases off. May 17, 2012
[Hide Comment] Lots of interesting moves on good rock.
Maybe it's "soft" for the grade (in the sense that it doesn't take much finger or arm strength) if you just commit to the move (from layback right to stemming left), but to me both feet felt pretty tenuous, until I made the next little step up -- so I can understand why some people find it difficult to commit. Aug 7, 2012