SNP Little Stony Man - anchors and routes info?

Hello,
I'm new to climbing, and just recently found LIttle Stony Man in Shenandoah National Park. The routes look reasonable, but the anchors are tricky.

I'm looking for some specific experience with anchors on specific routes, gear list for anchors, or any help someone would like to throw my way in terms of what all I might need to set anchors there on some of the easier routes.

I've read this: potomacmountainclub.org/res…

But any additional information would be helpful!

Thanks!

I have no idea, but it's always nice to meet a potential relative who climbs.

Matt Hull

Little Stoney Man is well known for having less than ideal rock/gear placements at the top for building trad anchors.

The park service frowns upon anyone using the trees that are set back from the cliff edge as that would mean your rope would cross over the tourist/hiking trail (Appalachian trail) creating a tripping hazard.

Not knowing your experience trad climbing and/or building anchors, I would suggest you expand your skill using the climbing rope to build your anchor. This will allow you to reach further apart cracks and/or rock outcropping to build your anchor utilizing the much longer amount of rope available vs. a cordalette. Since the pitches at LSM are at most ~100 ft. you should ample rope left after leading to build your anchor.

I have observed new leaders at LSM who are comfortable using only some form of a cordalette type system who then build their anchor using less than ideal gear placements sorely because they fall within the reach limits of their cordalette.

McHull wrote:I have no idea, but it's always nice to meet a potential relative who climbs. Matt Hull

Marty, thanks for the info. I get what you're saying...don't sacrifice my anchor simply because I don't have enough cordlette to do it correctly!

I've got plenty of rope, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for the tips!