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Dauphin Narrows

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Climbing Sections:

About Dauphin Narrows:

This crag is absolutely massive. It is probably the biggest crag in PA except for DWG. However, there are a lot of runout slabs so the number of routes on good protectable rock are not as many as one may hope.

General description of rock at Dauphin Narrows:
"Long traverses and weird overhangs"... There is a lot of 45+ degree slab that is interrupted by small overhangs. A lot of the rock is covered in lichen (but route cleaning is underway). There are trees you will have to contend with & get around (but they make good rap stations). Near the top of both the north and south ridge there are portions of conglomerate which is really nice to climb. There are lots of traverses. The general angle of the rock parallels the angle of the side of the mountain.

There are a few rusty bolts and old pitons, which may be replaced in the near future, but the style of this crag is definately trad. The slab is often run-out. Non-slab portions are very featured and a wide variety of placements are available. A lot of the vertical cracks are flaring, the horizontals eat up hexes. Mostly you will need mid-size cams and hexes (15 - 60mm), and small/med stoppers. If you have BallNutz they come in handy. Bring lots of long slings, as the routes wander quite a bit. There is some choss, especially on the north buttress, the south buttress is for the most part pretty solid.

WALKIE-TALKIES are highly recommended, as the noise of the traffic makes communication difficult or impossible otherwise. HELMETS are very highly recommended, there is loose rock there and potential pendulum falls.

I am in the process of updating this page, making things consistent with Tim Garland's 1989 guide (yes, it exists!) and adding new routes. Let me know if you have questions or comments, please.

Nearest town or city: Dauphin
Directions: At the southern end of the town of Dauphin (on Second Mountain) along the railroad tracks. Take the Dauphin Boro exit from 322W, at the end of the ramp take the 180 right turn and drive straight back towards the rocks.
Latitude, Longitude: 40.36160, -76.92600
Access Issues:
Camping:
When to Climb:
Quantity of Climbs: Year

Topo Images

The Gun
Heel-a-Peel
No route specified

Forum Discussions (4 posts)

  Subject Author Replies Last Post
No Replies D Narrows hildenmw 0 Jun 08 2014, 1:20 PM
With Replies Dauphin Narrows Access alert ericbeyeler 2 Jun 04 2007, 4:15 PM
With Replies Climbing at Dauphin Narrows ericbeyeler 9 Aug 21 2006, 5:09 PM
With Replies Dauphin Narrows -- a climbing area? jkarns 12 Jan 18 2007, 2:22 AM