History
This cliff has a long climbing history. The AMC climbed here in the 1950s. There is a ring piton on the large
roof route that looks like it is from that era.
Most of the routes are first ascents by Ken Nichols. He is the source of most of the route information.
Protection
Long slings/static rope are required in some spots to set up a top-rope. Leading is
possible here on a good number of climbs but beware of rock quality. There is one sport route put up in 2011.
Routes
The cliff ranges from thirty to eighty feet in height and is about a quarter
mile long. There is the potential for many routes here. There are three main areas: the Parking Lot Wall and a couple of
climbs right around the corner, the Party Wall which is easily identified by its large roof, and the Orange Wall which is
the tallest at 80 feet high. Dave Fasulo's guidebook Rock Climbing Connecticut briefly describes Ross Rocks but
it does not include any specific route information.
Parking Lot Wall Right -- (Left to Right) Red-Slippery When Wet, 5.8,
Orange-Tincture of Benzoin, 5.9,
Yellow-Laughing Man, 5.9+, Green-5.7
Around corner from parkling lot wall -- Crack of Despair, 5.10
Red-Good Book, 5.8+ (Var 5.9), Yellow-5.11+
Party Wall - (Left to Right) Red-5.7, Blue-5.5, Pink-5.8 variation, Red-5.8, Orange-5.9, Yellow-5.6, Green-5.7
La Mesa, 5.9
Orange Wall - (Left to Right) Orange-5.7, Red-5.6
Photos
