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johntysoe
Sep 12, 2009, 1:50 AM
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I have just moved permanently to Philadelphia from the UK and I'm looking for some new spots to get into it. I don't have a car right now so walking and public transport it is.I've been on paclimbing.com and I've read through the Urban Climbing Manifesto regarding some spots in Philadelphia.
Can anyone else recommend some more?
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Hennessey
Sep 13, 2009, 1:59 AM
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The local gym around here is http://www.Govertical.com Located at 950 North Penn Street.
As far as outside goes, there is the Wissahickon. That's probally the only spots you can get to with public transportation
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adatesman
Sep 13, 2009, 11:36 AM
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There's some listed on New England Bouldering. I suspect you would be able to get to the bouldering on Kelly Drive (just above Boathouse Row), Lincoln Drive (Wissahickon mentioned above) and possibly Livzey Rock (up in Roxborough). If you get a car/ride, Haycock is quite popular and large but unfortunately the guidebook is long out of print and impossible to find.
There used to be a site with all the info for the Lincoln Drive bouldering, but at the moment I can't seem to find it. I think I posted a link to it a couple years ago, so perhaps a search will turn it up.
EDIT- Bad news... Looks like that site died a couple years ago and since everything was pics Archive.org doesn't have anything useful. FWIW, the site was http://www.phillybouldering.com/.
(This post was edited by adatesman on Sep 13, 2009, 11:43 AM)
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Lethal-Climber
Oct 14, 2009, 12:15 AM
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Can you take public transit to any of these (Livesy, Kelly or Lincoln rock)?
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adatesman
Oct 14, 2009, 1:01 AM
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I don't know about the others, but Kelly Drive shouldn't be hard to get to by public transport. It's just up from Boathouse Row, which is just up from the art museum. Looks like the #32 bus heads up that way.... I don't get down there much though, so can't say for certain that it actually stops anywhere near where you want to be. On second thought, #38 might be a better choice..
Anyway, the Art Museum is the big building at top center of this map and to get to the boulder you'd basically continue up along the river a ways. It's all in the park with paved trails, so worst case you're in for a nice walk.
EDIT- Looks like the best bet would be either the #15 subway (trolly? Can't say I've ever noticed it so don't know which it is) or #32 bus, both of which stop at the intersection of Girard and Poplar.
Wow, I can't believe I'm this bored... 
Might as well pass along a link with some beta... Urban Climbing Manefesto: Kelly Drive
(This post was edited by adatesman on Oct 14, 2009, 1:29 AM)
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Lethal-Climber
Oct 14, 2009, 1:34 AM
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Yeah, I'm leaving from City center so the walk may not be that bad.
Thanks for the help with directions. you rock!!
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adatesman
Oct 14, 2009, 1:49 AM
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No worries! 
I have no idea how SEPTA expects someone from out of town to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B, given that I'm somewhat local and still have a hard time of it.
Anyway, if you mean "center city" in a literal sense the walk's going to be on the long side and possibly a mile or two each way. Pleasant walk though, with lots of interesting things on the way... Off the top of my head: the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Franklin Institute, the Rodin Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Art Museum, the Philadelphia Waterworks. Catching a bus to the Art Museum will probably cut the walk in half if you're starting at City Hall.
Enjoy, and be sure to check out the other climbing in the Manifesto link above. It's mostly buildering, but still amusing that he found so much right downtown.
-a.
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Lethal-Climber
Oct 14, 2009, 11:13 PM
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The walk was perfect actually. got to see alot of Philly, take a bunch of pics and saw some beautiful runners on the way. The bouldering was fun too, though I wish I had a spotter because there were some high balls I wanted to try.
Alot of fun!
Also had a chance to check out Haycock on Sunday, and it was beautiful up there.
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kyleshea
Oct 14, 2009, 11:50 PM
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Lethal-Climber wrote: The walk was perfect actually. got to see alot of Philly, take a bunch of pics and saw some beautiful runners on the way. The bouldering was fun too, though I wish I had a spotter because there were some high balls I wanted to try. Alot of fun! Also had a chance to check out Haycock on Sunday, and it was beautiful up there.
sunday was a great day to be at haycock. soon the friction will be soooooo good.
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Lethal-Climber
Oct 15, 2009, 12:43 AM
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I was actually already impressed with how sticky everything was. Even the slopers were BAM.
Way better than the limestone in TX :(
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kyleshea
Oct 15, 2009, 11:28 PM
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Lethal-Climber wrote: I was actually already impressed with how sticky everything was. Even the slopers were BAM. Way better than the limestone in TX :(
just wait man, just wait.
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rico10a
Oct 26, 2009, 11:48 PM
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The diabase is only getting better as the temps go down. Even today (high 50's), the rock was starting to get sticky...another month or two and Haycock will be gold once again.
For guidebooks, check out Nestors in Whitehall, PA. I had an original book list it a couple years ago, and a friend bought me a new one...maybe they have a slew of them??
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Lethal-Climber
Nov 6, 2009, 1:05 AM
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Wait, so at what temps do you guys climb til? anything below 50 is freezing!
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joeforte
Nov 6, 2009, 2:40 AM
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Below 50 is PRIME for haycock. The rock is very similar to gritstone, and many of the problems rely on pure friction. I've climbed there in the 30's, with snow on the ground, on a sunny day, and we had a great time. Bring a puffy jacket and a warm drink and you're set. Disposable handwarmers in the chalk bag is nice too!
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Lethal-Climber
Nov 6, 2009, 3:06 PM
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DAMN, the 30s!!?!?!?
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ckirkwood9
Nov 6, 2009, 3:53 PM
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I don't know how vigilant they are, BUT word in the gym is that cops are giving out 25$ tickets for climbing anything on kelly drive.
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Lethal-Climber
Nov 15, 2009, 12:08 AM
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What? That's crazy. There is even a plaque there stating how the rock was created by some local organization for the "people" of Philadelphia!
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Lethal-Climber
Nov 15, 2009, 12:11 AM
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I'm actually back in town and going to hit up Haycock mtn to take advantage of one fo the last (probably) nice days in Philly for the year (66 degrees and sunny) if anyone is going to be around.
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