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Pussytoes

5.5, Trad, TR, 150 ft (45 m), 2 pitches,  Avg: 2 from 14 votes
FA: Michael Steele, Ellen Waible
Pennsylvania > Northeast Ridge… > Delaware Water… > Mt Minsi > d. Cat Wall
Warning Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Falcon Closure DetailsDrop down

Description

Pussytoes is an alright climb for how close it is to the approach trail.  The first pitch can be pretty grungy down low, but gers better further up.  The second pitch has a crux off the belay followed by an easy jaunt up the high arete.  It's worth doing for climbers new to the area because it is a common rap line for any routes that top out in on the practice face, and the upper anchor is very difficult to find from above.

P1.  Climb the middle of the cat wall starting right where the "Cat Walk" traverse to the practice face begins. There is a bolted belay next to a medium size tree directly above, halfway up the wall. It is 5.5, but you may have to hunt for the 5.5 moves, a direct line will be a bit harder.  Gear sparse in the beginning. But better above.

For P2, the crux is right off the belay ledge. Start just left of the belay/tree and move up in an alcove, Get good gear and pull the overhang, then sprint up 70' of easy terrain to a small tree and second set of bolts.

Location

Starts on the left side of the Cat Wall.

Descent - Rappel the route in two raps with a single 60m rope.

Protection

Rock pro, trees, bolted rap/belay stations

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

2nd pitch of Pussytoes just above crux roof after mid route anchor.
[Hide Photo] 2nd pitch of Pussytoes just above crux roof after mid route anchor.
View of first pitch of Pussytoes
[Hide Photo] View of first pitch of Pussytoes
View out right on first pitch.
[Hide Photo] View out right on first pitch.
Just above crux roof when you go up left of the mid route belay station.  I've tried going right, just behind the tree, and left is def easier.
[Hide Photo] Just above crux roof when you go up left of the mid route belay station. I've tried going right, just behind the tree, and left is def easier.
Bolts at the top of pussy toes
[Hide Photo] Bolts at the top of pussy toes
Top of pitch 2. Bolted anchors
[Hide Photo] Top of pitch 2. Bolted anchors
Two climbers in Red (Don Heinz and Jayson Goldberg) on Pussytoes.  Shot from the route Hell and High Water on High Wall.
[Hide Photo] Two climbers in Red (Don Heinz and Jayson Goldberg) on Pussytoes. Shot from the route Hell and High Water on High Wall.
Scott taking in the view on the belay ledge on Pussytoes.  There's a nice 2-bolt anchor with metolious rap-hangers next to the tree.
[Hide Photo] Scott taking in the view on the belay ledge on Pussytoes. There's a nice 2-bolt anchor with metolious rap-hangers next to the tree.
Don heinz on P1
[Hide Photo] Don heinz on P1
View of most of Pussytoes during the Fall.  Climb goes up the center of the wall.
[Hide Photo] View of most of Pussytoes during the Fall. Climb goes up the center of the wall.
View from the top
[Hide Photo] View from the top
Bottom half of Pussytoes.
[Hide Photo] Bottom half of Pussytoes.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Larry S
Easton, PA
  5.5
[Hide Comment] Climb the middle of the cat wall starting right where the "Cat Walk" traverse to the practice face begins. There is a bolted belay next to a medium size tree directly above, halfway up the wall. It is 5.5, but you may have to hunt for the 5.5 moves, a direct line will be a bit harder. Gear in the beginning seemed sparse, better up high.

For P2, the crux is right off the belay ledge. Start just left of the belay/tree and move up in an alcove, Get good gear and pull the overhang, then sprint up 70' of easy terrain to a small tree and second set of bolts.

Descent - Rappel the route in two raps with a single 60m rope. Sep 16, 2012
[Hide Comment] Top of P1 has a wasp/hornet/some-kind-of-giant-insect-that-will-end-you nest going on which made this much more stressful than need be. Just keep an eye out as it's further right from the anchor towards the river. Make sure not to rap over/into it either. Oct 11, 2017
Sean R
 
[Hide Comment] Hornets nest at the top of P1 is still there as of 7/13/19. Jul 17, 2019
Johannes Weiner
New Paltz, NY
[Hide Comment] The hornets and the nest are gone as of 9/18/20. Sep 19, 2020