PRINT: Climb Lower Falls, Central NY Ice

Lower Falls

WI2-3, Trad, TR, Ice, 65 ft (20 m),

Avg: 3 from 4 votes
FA: unknown
New York > Central NY Ice > Lick Brook Falls

Access Issue: Lick Brook requires a permit to ice climb. Details

Lick Brook is managed by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. To climb here, you need a permit from the Land Trust that shows $5,000,000 insurance coverage for liability and property damage. Cornell University has such coverage and takes groups of students regularly.

Description

The lower falls of Lick Brook. About 65' high depending on conditions. Can hold 3 or 4 top ropes depending how they are set. Left side is generally easier than the right side. As seen from the beta photo, there aren't that many trees for toprope anchors. One good one for the left hand side and one about 50' back on the right. Bring ice screws or lots of static rope.

While you can walk into the base of the lower falls, there's no easy route to get to the top (without a rap from the top of the canyon walls).

Location

Follow the trail down until you reach the falls.

Protection

Top rope gear and/or 4 - 5 ice screws for leading.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

A view of the lower falls in late March 2014. Lots of water flowing down the left, but the middle and right side were still solid.

credit: Jeff Deutsch, Jan 26, 2008