Just a beautiful climb...

All Locations > New York > Gunks > Trapps > h. The Arrow Wa… > Cascading Crystal Kal… (5.8- 5b 16 VI- 14 VS 4c PG13)

Just a beautiful climb...

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Calm, JT making the move

Joel Ryan moving up the flake. Nov. 2016.

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4.0 from 3 votes

Justin Compton

May 4, 2010

“Just a beautiful climb...”

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Nearby Photos

CCK in early season

John Gassel gets a great sunset shot of the classic CCK photo

the money pitch, Fall 2016

I seconded CCK back when I first started climbing, and can still remember the combination of excitement and sheer panic I felt on the P3 traverse. Now, a couple years later on lead, not too much has changed.

1972: vibram klettershoes, swami webbing, fingerless gloves, a couple slung hexes that didn't fit; just basically clipping the 3 fixed pitons.

The 5.7+ third pitch of Cascading Crystal Kaleidoscope (CCK), an airy and exposed Gunks classic.<br>
<br>
Photo by [[11870]].

Soloist on CCK, 8/13/11

Laura Sasso on CCK

Jon Otto leading the money pitch of CCK with lots of air beneath his heels. Crisp October temps

Nuria peering over the abyss.

CCK

Interesting angle

Pretty nice ledge to stand on on P3 of CCK!

Such a cool rock to stand on after topping out CCK

Following on P3 of CCK, just shy of the belay ledge

CCK from the top of pitch 3

July 31st 2021, photo by Mariana Rius. Highly recommend the Erect Direction pitch 1 start and the CCK Direct finish through the roof on the left for a full value climb!

CCK on a German climbing shoe box (mid 90s)

Hubert on CCK

Craig Plescia - 2015<br>
<br>
Starting up the flake.

Entering the Dacks-esque last section of last pitch. Great pro here, 5 stars to the top.

Chris leading the money pitch, Fall 2016

One of the best routes in the Gunks

Wonderwoman on CCK

Bruno Hamann leading CCK, "the Gunks." circa 1989

Start of CCK

Calm, JT making the move

Just a beautiful climb...

Joel Ryan moving up the flake. Nov. 2016.

Mitchal Miller shoots his wife on CCK

CCK in the old days.

Nearing the top

Gail topping out on P2 of CCK

Definitely one of the coolest routes I have done.

First pitch of CCK goes through here, not too tough but protection flexibilty is limited. Classic finish seen at top center.

feeling around for holds...

Heather climbing Cascading Crystal Kaleidoscope (CCK) on a hot day.

Joel Ryan goofing at the end of the traverse before moving up the flake.

great climb

2nd Pitch (wrong way I think)<br>
Are you supposed to move up right of that first piece and then back left to here? This corner felt harder than 5.7 but worked out fine...

A different view of CCK...not nearly as exciting as the traditional traverse photo. Mitchal making the final moves.

working up the balancy polished crack.

Jeff Arliss nearing the top.

Ladd Raine eyeing the final moves out of the traverse.

For the cheese ball photo

It was the '80's and it was only 5.7 or so then which explains why I was leading it in my Five Tennies.

starting up the crack

Robert makes the moves on P1 of CCK.

Ladd Raine enjoying the final pitch.

starting up the crack

Last pitch of CCK

Andrew Kaplan just below the CCK crux.

This pitch is G

Such an amazing pitch! Far easier than it appears when you head out from the belay!!

Leading CCK in my puffy.. unnecessary at 55 degrees...

most photogenic climb i've ever done!

Filipe on CCK

First time on CCK, what a fantastic route!!

Classic CCK Shot

what a great route! can't wipe the smile off my face...

In This Photo

Justin Compton

Erie, CO

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