Yahoo... there might be a million threads, but you know that everyone always loves a chance to spew their opinion and a reason to take a minute or two out of the workday.....

This weekend I might be going up with someone who hasn't climbed in about ten years. I'm also going up with my dog, whom it is not an option to leave at home. Unless someone is going to volunteer to babysit her this weekend, it looks like I'm going to be limited to single pitch stuff so that she will not be left alone at the bottom. There are tons of obvious choices in the Uberfall area, and we may just end up hanging there, but what other climbs are there out there in the 5.3-5.6 range where it would be easy to set up an anchor after the first pitch, rap down, and give my friend a toprope belay up?

I think Peterskill is a much better option in this situation that the Uberfall. There are plenty of easy routes and everything is one pitch. Plus it's a lot more chill than the Uberfall so you can TR without waiting in a line for a route or frustrating other climbers.

Another option might be to stroll out fairly far in the Nears. I've done some nice 1 pitch 5.5s out there that would fit the bill.

Frog's Head, Finger Locks or Cedar Box, and Jackie all come to mind.

On weekends, I second the "way out in the Nears" suggestion. Little White Mushroom, the unnamed crack next to L.P., another 5.7 with a 5.6 P1 that I can't remember, just to the left of Little White Mushroom, and Eowyn.

I third Peterskill. It's easy to keep your eye on the doggy and the walkoffs are easy and quick. Far down the Nears is nice, so you don't have to worry about some self-elected police-y type reminding you of the preserve rules just because you happen to be there with your dog.....but the trails are pretty obstacle ridden. If /when your dog is on leash, be very careful about setting it up in a length that he/she can't get in trouble(jump off a small raised section and be hanging on the leash....sorry, I know that is a horrible image, but.....).

Thanks - never been to Peterskill do the thought never even occurred to me. May just have to check it out... The pup's generally good at waiting when I tell her to wait (though she managed to pull me off my feet and onto my elbow a couple of weeks ago being too eager to jump a gap..) and she's an experienced climbing companion so we should be ok in that regard. I'm really looking for nothing that needs to be walked off of so I guess I'll go consult the guidebook!

At Peterskill, if you make gear anchors for climbs that do not have bolts at the top for anchors....they have regulations against using trees for anchors (not certain if it is one kind of treee or all of them, personally I just steer clear of them altogether). Also on certain climbs good positions for an all gear anchor are back a little way from the edge so some long cordage can be very useful.

Have fun!

Here's a post by Tai in July 2005 listing the bolted anchors at Peter's Kill.

Jannette