Predictions for this thread:

-posts of "fine, stay away, more for me" (or variations thereof)

So, I went to the Gunks last weekend, and I have to say, it is possibly one of the most over-hyped crags in existence.

First off, everyone rants and raves about how hard the grades are. I've fully concluded that they are full of shit. What's the deal? If anything, the ratings here are soft compared to the adirondacks and Quebec. The only place I might be in disagreement here is on the 5.5's, which seem to consistantly feel like 5.6. But 5.7, 8, and 9 were all right on the mark. Do the locals here seem to get some kind of ego kick by raving about how sandbagged (oh sorry, I mean "old school") the ratings are?

Second, I think it's the first outdoor gym I have been too. First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day? This whole concept is ridiculous! The only thing the trapps need are permanently setup top ropes to become a real gym. What next, are you going to have to take a belay test before they let you into the park? ditch this shit.

Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?

Fourth, the gunks seem to be home of the the most annoying people in America. Seriously, how many times do people have to yell "SECURE!!"? Okay, maybe if it's your first time in the area, you might not realize that communication may be difficult from the top of the climbs. However, and quickly figuring this out, can't people derive a tug system with the rope? Every other climber in the world seems to understand this concept. Maybe they're too busy talking about how sandbagged their routes are...

Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?

Last, why the hell is everyone popping a boner for thier tricams in the gunks? Have these people never seen a TCU? besides, pro isn't exactly scarce. Yes, there are places that take perfect tricams, but guess what, right beside it is a bomb nut placement. Good job, tri-babies.

The only positive thing I have to say about the gunks is that upon topping out on a near trapps routes, you are pleasently greeted by blueberries. However, they're small....so this isn't really a pro.

Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here? I want my $3.10 toll back....

Predictions for this thread:

-posts of "fine, stay away, more for me" (or variations thereof)
-posts of "you must have gotten tooled, that's why you're so bitter" (or variations thereof)
-T ratings
-posts about making popcorn
-bumbly locals/regulars waxing philosophic about the area's radness, which B_G just isn't enlightened enough to "get"
-disparaging remarks about Canada and Canadians
-ratings spray
-grammarians working themselves into a lather over the OP's imperfections

In that order.

I don't have a dog in this fight. I've never been to the Gunks. But I've got a lifetime pass to the RC.com Preserve

Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here? I want my $3.10 toll back....

Indeed, thanks so much for posting this. Everyone...don't come to the gunks.

So, I went to the Gunks last weekend, and I have to say, it is possibly one of the most over-hyped crags in existence.

First off, everyone rants and raves about how hard the grades are. I've fully concluded that they are full of shit. What's the deal? If anything, the ratings here are soft compared to the adirondacks and Quebec. The only place I might be in disagreement here is on the 5.5's, which seem to consistantly feel like 5.6. But 5.7, 8, and 9 were all right on the mark. Do the locals here seem to get some kind of ego kick by raving about how sandbagged (oh sorry, I mean "old school") the ratings are?

Second, I think it's the first outdoor gym I have been too. First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day? This whole concept is ridiculous! The only thing the trapps need are permanently setup top ropes to become a real gym. What next, are you going to have to take a belay test before they let you into the park? ditch this shit.

Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?

Fourth, the gunks seem to be home of the the most annoying people in America. Seriously, how many times do people have to yell "SECURE!!"? Okay, maybe if it's your first time in the area, you might not realize that communication may be difficult from the top of the climbs. However, and quickly figuring this out, can't people derive a tug system with the rope? Every other climber in the world seems to understand this concept. Maybe they're too busy talking about how sandbagged their routes are...

Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?

So, I went to the Gunks last weekend, and I have to say, it is possibly one of the most over-hyped crags in existence.

First off, everyone rants and raves about how hard the grades are. I've fully concluded that they are full of shit. What's the deal? If anything, the ratings here are soft compared to the adirondacks and Quebec. The only place I might be in disagreement here is on the 5.5's, which seem to consistantly feel like 5.6. But 5.7, 8, and 9 were all right on the mark. Do the locals here seem to get some kind of ego kick by raving about how sandbagged (oh sorry, I mean "old school") the ratings are?

Second, I think it's the first outdoor gym I have been too. First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day? This whole concept is ridiculous! The only thing the trapps need are permanently setup top ropes to become a real gym. What next, are you going to have to take a belay test before they let you into the park? ditch this shit.

Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?

Fourth, the gunks seem to be home of the the most annoying people in America. Seriously, how many times do people have to yell "SECURE!!"? Okay, maybe if it's your first time in the area, you might not realize that communication may be difficult from the top of the climbs. However, and quickly figuring this out, can't people derive a tug system with the rope? Every other climber in the world seems to understand this concept. Maybe they're too busy talking about how sandbagged their routes are...

Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?

Last, why the hell is everyone popping a boner for thier tricams in the gunks? Have these people never seen a TCU? besides, pro isn't exactly scarce. Yes, there are places that take perfect tricams, but guess what, right beside it is a bomb nut placement. Good job, tri-babies.

The only positive thing I have to say about the gunks is that upon topping out on a near trapps routes, you are pleasently greeted by blueberries. However, they're small....so this isn't really a pro.

Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here? I want my $3.10 toll back....

Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?

You didn't have fun? That's a pity....

WTF?! 15 dollars to climb for the day?! THAT'S RIDICULOUS!
I gotta agree with you on that one.

However, I can't possibly agree with this:


BOO HOO! what were you expecting? a giant bug screen?

Predictions for this thread:

-posts of "fine, stay away, more for me" (or variations thereof)
-posts of "you must have gotten tooled, that's why you're so bitter" (or variations thereof)
-T ratings
-posts about making popcorn
-bumbly locals/regulars waxing philosophic about the area's radness, which B_G just isn't enlightened enough to "get"
-disparaging remarks about Canada and Canadians
-ratings spray
-grammarians working themselves into a lather over the OP's imperfections

In that order.

I don't have a dog in this fight. I've never been to the Gunks. But I've got a lifetime pass to the RC.com Preserve

Here's my variation: Stay away you goofy Canadian bastard! Keep your Frenchie talk and pasty skin north of the border, who needs to see your queer pink ropes strewn about our rad rock!... whatever.
Oh yah, tricam and TCU- not the same beast, Cannuk ;)

So, I went to the Gunks last weekend, and I have to say, it is possibly one of the most over-hyped crags in existence.

First off, everyone rants and raves about how hard the grades are. I've fully concluded that they are full of shit. What's the deal? If anything, the ratings here are soft compared to the adirondacks and Quebec. The only place I might be in disagreement here is on the 5.5's, which seem to consistantly feel like 5.6. But 5.7, 8, and 9 were all right on the mark. Do the locals here seem to get some kind of ego kick by raving about how sandbagged (oh sorry, I mean "old school") the ratings are?

Second, I think it's the first outdoor gym I have been too. First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day? This whole concept is ridiculous! The only thing the trapps need are permanently setup top ropes to become a real gym. What next, are you going to have to take a belay test before they let you into the park? ditch this shit.

Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?

Fourth, the gunks seem to be home of the the most annoying people in America. Seriously, how many times do people have to yell "SECURE!!"? Okay, maybe if it's your first time in the area, you might not realize that communication may be difficult from the top of the climbs. However, and quickly figuring this out, can't people derive a tug system with the rope? Every other climber in the world seems to understand this concept. Maybe they're too busy talking about how sandbagged their routes are...

Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?

Last, why the hell is everyone popping a boner for thier tricams in the gunks? Have these people never seen a TCU? besides, pro isn't exactly scarce. Yes, there are places that take perfect tricams, but guess what, right beside it is a bomb nut placement. Good job, tri-babies.

The only positive thing I have to say about the gunks is that upon topping out on a near trapps routes, you are pleasently greeted by blueberries. However, they're small....so this isn't really a pro.

Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here? I want my $3.10 toll back....

Why do you have to harp on a persons nationality?
There is nothing wrong with being canadian, or speaking french or for that matter, a pink rope. I can not say the same for someone who dis' a persons nationality. We are what we are. If you don't agree just say so.

You're just sensitive because you're Vietnamese.

That also explains your poor English skills.

You're just sensitive because you're Vietnamese.

That also explains your poor English skills.

You better watch it with the VC. He's a worthy fucking adversary.

By the way the gunks is $15 a day OR $75 for a year, you can get that down to $56 is you live in a student household and get the passes together. So the pass makes sense if you go for 2 weekends. But yeah, insert offensive canadian slur here:
Damn beaver-beating 51st staters! Those eh-hole seal fuckers have no idea how awesome the Gunks are! I suggest those puckheads go suck a moose.

By the way the gunks is $15 a day OR $75 for a year, you can get that down to $56 is you live in a student household and get the passes together. So the pass makes sense if you go for 2 weekends. But yeah, insert offensive canadian slur here:

ive been to placs that other ppl rant and rave about and thought they totally sucked balls...first place that come to mind for me is indian creek...

Better yet, just pay $2,500 for the lifetime pass.

Curt

at your age? I doubt that'd be considered a good investment for you by my investment guru.

To the OP - So, what routes did you get on?

Zeke- Is that cheese I spy on your bosom?

Try the bouldering next time.

Masterbation in a whore house?

So, I went to the Gunks last weekend, and I have to say, it is possibly one of the most over-hyped crags in existence.

First off, everyone rants and raves about how hard the grades are. I've fully concluded that they are full of shit. What's the deal? If anything, the ratings here are soft compared to the adirondacks and Quebec. The only place I might be in disagreement here is on the 5.5's, which seem to consistantly feel like 5.6. But 5.7, 8, and 9 were all right on the mark. Do the locals here seem to get some kind of ego kick by raving about how sandbagged (oh sorry, I mean "old school") the ratings are?

Second, I think it's the first outdoor gym I have been too. First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day? This whole concept is ridiculous! The only thing the trapps need are permanently setup top ropes to become a real gym. What next, are you going to have to take a belay test before they let you into the park? ditch this shit.

Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?

Fourth, the gunks seem to be home of the the most annoying people in America. Seriously, how many times do people have to yell "SECURE!!"? Okay, maybe if it's your first time in the area, you might not realize that communication may be difficult from the top of the climbs. However, and quickly figuring this out, can't people derive a tug system with the rope? Every other climber in the world seems to understand this concept. Maybe they're too busy talking about how sandbagged their routes are...

Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?

Last, why the hell is everyone popping a boner for thier tricams in the gunks? Have these people never seen a TCU? besides, pro isn't exactly scarce. Yes, there are places that take perfect tricams, but guess what, right beside it is a bomb nut placement. Good job, tri-babies.

The only positive thing I have to say about the gunks is that upon topping out on a near trapps routes, you are pleasently greeted by blueberries. However, they're small....so this isn't really a pro.

Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here? I want my $3.10 toll back....

I guess you didn't get the memo; les quebecois sont seulement laisses s'elever a Rumney. Sorry, we'll put better signs up next time.

Hey, Burns, I thought you'd know the answer. Do you have to make your own trad anchors at the Gunks? Scareeeee....

Heh. Though there are some pitons and bolted anchors there. Maybe he got lost on a route and couldn't find a place to clip. *shrugs* It has been known to happen.

As always, thanks for reading.

So, I went to the Gunks last weekend, and I have to say, it is possibly one of the most over-hyped crags in existence.

First off, everyone rants and raves about how hard the grades are. I've fully concluded that they are full of shit. What's the deal? If anything, the ratings here are soft compared to the adirondacks and Quebec. The only place I might be in disagreement here is on the 5.5's, which seem to consistantly feel like 5.6. But 5.7, 8, and 9 were all right on the mark. Do the locals here seem to get some kind of ego kick by raving about how sandbagged (oh sorry, I mean "old school") the ratings are?

Second, I think it's the first outdoor gym I have been too. First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day? This whole concept is ridiculous! The only thing the trapps need are permanently setup top ropes to become a real gym. What next, are you going to have to take a belay test before they let you into the park? ditch this shit.

Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?

Fourth, the gunks seem to be home of the the most annoying people in America. Seriously, how many times do people have to yell "SECURE!!"? Okay, maybe if it's your first time in the area, you might not realize that communication may be difficult from the top of the climbs. However, and quickly figuring this out, can't people derive a tug system with the rope? Every other climber in the world seems to understand this concept. Maybe they're too busy talking about how sandbagged their routes are...

Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?

Last, why the hell is everyone popping a boner for thier tricams in the gunks? Have these people never seen a TCU? besides, pro isn't exactly scarce. Yes, there are places that take perfect tricams, but guess what, right beside it is a bomb nut placement. Good job, tri-babies.

The only positive thing I have to say about the gunks is that upon topping out on a near trapps routes, you are pleasently greeted by blueberries. However, they're small....so this isn't really a pro.

Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here? I want my $3.10 toll back....

15? WOW yosemite is 20. although a year pass is like 40 or something haha. sounds like the gunks suck. good thing I love the west coast

"So, I went to the Gunks last weekend, and I have to say, it is possibly one of the most over-hyped crags in existence."

I guess it depends who you've been talking to.

"First off, everyone rants and raves about how hard the grades are. I've fully concluded that they are full of shit. What's the deal? If anything, the ratings here are soft compared to the adirondacks and Quebec. The only place I might be in disagreement here is on the 5.5's, which seem to consistantly feel like 5.6. But 5.7, 8, and 9 were all right on the mark. Do the locals here seem to get some kind of ego kick by raving about how sandbagged (oh sorry, I mean "old school") the ratings are?"

This all seems beside the point. Maybe the ratings are sandbagged, maybe they aren't. Who cares? One might hope for internal consistency, but isn't it the climbs that actually matter?

"Second, I think it's the first outdoor gym I have been too. First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day?"

Considering that this is a pretty standard day-fee for alot of climbing gyms, the answer would have to be that a very large number of climbers are willing to pay exactly that much for a few hours inside.

"This whole concept is ridiculous!"

And what concept would that be? You haven't mentioned any "concept."

"The only thing the trapps need are permanently setup top ropes to become a real gym."

Permanently set-up top ropes would make any area into an outdoor gym. Do not try this at home.

"What next, are you going to have to take a belay test before they let you into the park? ditch this shit."

You are suggesting that something that doesn't exist should be ditched? Newsflash: it's been pre-ditched.

"Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?"

Because they are toll roads.

"Fourth, the gunks seem to be home of the the most annoying people in America."

Is this always true or just when you are visiting?

"Seriously, how many times do people have to yell 'SECURE!!'?"

In more than forty years of climbing in the Gunks, I've never heard anyone yell "secure." There are certainly annoying climbers at the Gunks, and the topography of the area tends to subject everyone else to maximum exposure to these annoyances. But if you really think the Gunks has a monopoly on assholes, you must not have travelled very much.

"Fifth, the Mohonk preserve seems to be home of the grossest bugs in existance. Seriously, what's with all those damn worm things and spiders?"

We prefer them to the choking clouds of blackflies you guys seem to specialize in.

"Last, why the hell is everyone popping a boner for thier tricams in the gunks? Have these people never seen a TCU? besides, pro isn't exactly scarce. Yes, there are places that take perfect tricams, but guess what, right beside it is a bomb nut placement. Good job, tri-babies."

Everyone again? You seem to specialize in false generalizations as a foil for your outrage. Personally, I'm not much of a tricam fan myself. They work all right, and they are much lighter than a TCU, but they require more fiddling to place and they have a very nasty habit of becoming fixed. As for pro not being scarce, well, it isn't scarce where it isn't scarce, and you must have very sensibly avoided the many routes where pro is either very difficult to place or simply non-existent (a bit of a pun there for those who know...).

"The only positive thing I have to say about the gunks is that upon topping out on a near trapps routes, you are pleasently greeted by blueberries. However, they're small....so this isn't really a pro."

It is too early for blueberries. Come back in August. On second thought, please don't.

"Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here?."

Judging from the large influx of Canadians we see on Canadian holidays, your countrymen seem to have missed all the negatives. Please see what you can do about educating them.

You need to make sure you're comparing apples with apples. The Yosemite pass is $20 for a week, while the Gunks pass is $15 per day. A handful of weekends at that Gunks per year would make an annual membership worthwhile. At Seneca, the climbing is free and the camping is about $5 per night. But it's all choss, so stay away.

"Third, why do I have to pay a toll to drive on every road south of Albany?"

Because they are toll roads.

wow 15 per day? thats pretty steep.

First off, who the hell wants to pay $15 to go climbing for the day?

Seriously, why would anyone want to climb here?

Once again, most folks who complain about the fee forget that the Gunks are on private land - it's not a public (ie: government run) park. It's a private land preserve held in public trust.

That's a pretty big assumption on your part, don't you think? I've never forgotten that the Gunks aren't public land, and that the preserve can charge what it pleases. That doesn't mean that $15 per day is reasonable from a personal perspective. If you're a Gunks local and spread out the $85 annual membership over the season, it doesn't seem so bad. If you're coming in from out of state for a long weekend, it becomes hard to justify almost $100 for a party of two.

Needless to say, I'm used to climbing at areas with much lower fees. Climbing at Seneca Rocks, the New, the Daks, and other areas I've visited is free. The fees at both Red Rocks and Yosemite are very reasonable. With other options for fantastic climbing, the Gunks hasn't risen to the top of the list for me. YMMV.

How do you east coasters deal with all the precip?????

sexest.

Ahahaha, I get it.

Perhaps, those who complain about the fee, if you take some time to learn just what the Mohonk Preserve is, besides a climbing/hiking destination, it might not bother you so hotly to support them.

Our natural world is being sold to the highest bidder - people are so thirsty for oil that they are willing to look the other way and let lands designated for animal habitat and geological preserve "get the shaft"(oil shaft, that is). It is, frankly, quite amazing that the Smiley family had the foresight and resources to save such a large area from what would have become of it.

You don't have to like paying $15. There's a simple solution - do not enter. One less set of footprints probably means a whole bunch more of those creepy crawly millipede prints..... who are probably food to birds that have seen their habitat dying off. Those millipedes poop like crazy and that, along with their decomposing bodies, makes the soil fertile, too.

Yup, I once asked a fellow climber what he'd do if he were to be the owner of the woods that are near my hometown. He said he'd charge a ridiculously hefty entrance fee because it's the only way to keep littering, trampling, graffitiying (is that a word?), chipping, gluing, campfire-under-overhang-making chilangos out. (chilangos are residents of mexico city that seem to have a desperate urge to make everything as ugly as the sh*thole they call their city, and yes, I do hate them.)
It's sad, but probably the only way to keep the woods nice.

See? Even Mexico has a problem with "Fukkin' Spics"

(and i think the word "graffiti" encompasses what you're trying to say... I'd cut those fukkin' punks' fingers off, that's about the only way to stop them)

I saw a Troll at the Gunks once..

Whoah! was he under a bridge?

There are some pretty cheap people out there.

I love that 'cheap' is a four-letter word in our culture. If the shoe fits (and doesn't cost a lot), I guess I'll wear it. Your post hasn't provided any new information. Marc801 said people that complain about the high day-use fee forget that the Gunks is on public land. I refuted that, and you said I'm just cheap. So be it.

With other options for fantastic climbing, the Gunks hasn't risen to the top of the list for me. YMMV.

On the other and, if I compare spending 10 days at the Gunks and JTree.....
Gunks: $85.00 annual pass, $0.00 camping - Total - $85.00
Jtree: $30 annual pass(If I remember correctly, $90 camping(@ $10 per night) - Total - $130.00

Needless to say, I'm used to climbing at areas with much lower fees. Climbing at Seneca Rocks, the New, the Daks, and other areas I've visited is free. The fees at both Red Rocks and Yosemite are very reasonable. With other options for fantastic climbing, the Gunks hasn't risen to the top of the list for me. YMMV.

Marc801 said people that complain about the high day-use fee forget that the Gunks is on public land. I refuted that, ...

Just to clarify... the Gunks are on private land. I was speaking generally when I said people forget that when they complain about the fee. I don't know if that was the specific case with markc - he says it's not - yet he went on in his post to compare the Gunks with a bunch of areas on publicly owned land.