Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

ERT (Echo Rock Traverse)

5.9, Trad, 1200 ft (364 m), 10 pitches, Grade II,  Avg: 3.3 from 8 votes
FA: ACB: Brian Haugli & Mike Dannhardt (Oct 9, 2011)
Virginia > DC & Northern V… > Great Falls > Echo Rock

Description

Full traverse of the Echo Rock cliff band. Starting below Cow Hoof and working downstream. The guys who did this first in the 40s/50s were beasts.

The 50m rope works better, as the pitchs need to be short to allow for the leader and belayer to communicate. The area has big alcoves and voices carry off quite a bit. So you try to be in eye sight of each other.

Location

Farthest downstream crag at Great Falls.

See photos for beta.

Protection

What we used on the successful traverse:
50m 10.2mm rope
1x #0 BD C3
1x #1 BD C3
1x yellow alien
1x red alien
2x mid size Trango TCUs
1x #.5 BD C4
2x #1 BD C4
2x #2 BD C4
2x #3 BD C4
#1-8 DMM Walnuts
#4,#6,#8 BD stoppers
8x slings with 2 wiregates each
2x double length slings
4x quickdraws

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Sam leading pitch 6. We anchored the end of the pitch from near the piton marked with an X in the photo. The crux of the route was protected with a BD#3, circled in the photo. Its worth bringing the #3 for this part.
[Hide Photo] Sam leading pitch 6. We anchored the end of the pitch from near the piton marked with an X in the photo. The crux of the route was protected with a BD#3, circled in the photo. Its worth bringing th…
Start: (Lat: 38.982028, Lon: -77.242920)
<br>
End: (Lat: 38.980706, Lon: -77.239988)
<br>
*Please note these are approximations based on the best information available*
[Hide Photo] Start: (Lat: 38.982028, Lon: -77.242920) End: (Lat: 38.980706, Lon: -77.239988) Please note these are approximations based on the best information available*
Chris leading the second pitch, right before the crux. Photo taken from the belay ledge.
[Hide Photo] Chris leading the second pitch, right before the crux. Photo taken from the belay ledge.
Moving through the crux to the belay ledge.
[Hide Photo] Moving through the crux to the belay ledge.
Last pitch after 3rd/4th section.  From here, hike downstream to Difficult Run trail and back to car.
[Hide Photo] Last pitch after 3rd/4th section. From here, hike downstream to Difficult Run trail and back to car.
First attempt in 2009.  Route in Blue (we escaped after pitch 2 and headed up) Green shows the rest of the route as we believe it goes.
[Hide Photo] First attempt in 2009. Route in Blue (we escaped after pitch 2 and headed up) Green shows the rest of the route as we believe it goes.
Route Topo
[Hide Photo] Route Topo
Topo from PMC Guidebook to Great Falls.
[Hide Photo] Topo from PMC Guidebook to Great Falls.
Start of pitch 1 (At least where we started)
[Hide Photo] Start of pitch 1 (At least where we started)
Looking at the first pitch, downstream.
[Hide Photo] Looking at the first pitch, downstream.
Crux 2nd pitch (5.9).  Moving out left over water and onto ledge for belay.
[Hide Photo] Crux 2nd pitch (5.9). Moving out left over water and onto ledge for belay.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Dan Ecker
Annapolis
 
[Hide Comment] was wondering if there was another link to the beta and pictures? the links are dead Aug 14, 2015
Brian Haugli
Shrewsbury, MA
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Sorry. That was on my old blog and I don't have the write-ups anymore. Catch Mike Dannhardt with PATC / Mountaineering Club for local beta. I'm out of the area now.

This is a great route. I attempted it 3 times before finally getting it. Stay after it! Jan 31, 2016
Aleks Gro
  5.9
[Hide Comment] Overall, the route was dirty, overgrown, full of spiders and a hell of a good time.
Made is 7 out of 10 pitches. Had to bail because it was too late in the day to finish before sunset. Hiked out in the dark and almost stepped right on a copperhead on the path. Going back here shortly to run the whole thing through.
The route and images already uploaded are sufficient beta to get you through.
  • *FYI, the climbing topo is blurry when viewed from a cell phone. If you are still interested in using it, open from a computer or link to a TV, then zoom in and take photos. This will give you a better resolution topo to reference**
May 28, 2020
Brian Haugli
Shrewsbury, MA
  5.9
[Hide Comment] From when I did this with Mike Dannhardt two times:

LINK to photo album when we succeeded and it was warm: photos.app.goo.gl/8FiZoDmQq…

LINK to photo album when we failed and it was cold: photos.app.goo.gl/4srq33Vfr… Feb 6, 2021