It occurred to me this weekend, as a I was considering the options for getting back down to the carriage road with a very sketched second, that I really have only walked-off using the Uberfall down-climb. Since rapping was out of the question, I was wondering if the descent trail near Brat might be less intimidating in a situation like that?

Also, is that trail relatively easy to find from the top?

Thanks,
Stephen

It's longer, but there's no downclimbing; it's just a hike. Once you get on the (a?) main trail up at the top, just follow it around.

Much appreciated, I'll find it next trip down just to be a little more prepared.

In Nov of last year the trail crew walked/cleared/ and built a few cairns along the ridge trail from the Brat area to it's northern terminus on the Overcliff Carriageway. As you approach the Uberfall, look for a small cairn very near to where the Uberfall descent passes the often dry brook that occasionally flows over The Flake @ the Uberfall. Take a turn uphill away from the cliff area toward a few ledges to the southwest. From there it is easy to stay on trail to the south end above the Brat/Keyhole area.

Thanks, good info. I definitely could have used that this weekend.

As it turned out, we eventually got down via the Uberfall, but I was concerned enough about her that I dropped a rope around the root at the top and belayed her as she down-climbed. That got us a few odd looks, but it was the right thing to do.

Steve,
Nothing is weird about belaying or short-roping on class 3/4. After seeing a party top-roping the entire 2 pitches of Arrow with two linked ropes on Sunday, I've seen it all in the Gunks!

Safety always comes first. If that is what it took to get down that that is what it took. Getting a few looks for that is allot better than having everyone look at her on a stretcher because she got scared, fell and broke her leg.

Steve, the Uberfall descent has seen more than it's share of serious falls. Never worry the weird looks and when time and conditions allow, always err on the side of caution.

I hope the people giving weird looks got some weird looks themselves. Why would you look down on someone behaving prudently at the Gunks?

Steve, I think I passed by you as you were downclimbing still roped up.

I'm not sure how my face looked, but what was going through my mind was: "Sure glad he/they did what he needed to do. Good for him."