The Broski

The Broski, Sean, Manaka, 007. They're all the same. That's my brother. And we're on an expedition to Rumney, New Hampshire. I am done waiting in Boston's subways and I'm done eating delicious food from the Tufts area. It's time to get dirty and climb hard and hang with my brother who is huge... I don't know how we'll both fit in the tent!


We arrive in Rumney. We head to some bouldering down a road that is not Buffalo Road – where most of the climbing in Rumney is – but a road that I know begins with the letter Q - oh yeah, Quincy! - and is opposite Buffalo Rd. We park by a huge boulder. This area is called The Pound. I’m still not sure why.

After bouldering at the pound, we head to Rumney’s Village Store where we buy the bouldering guidebook for the northeast U.S. They did not have the Rumney sport climbing guidebook that we wanted, so we have sworn ourselves to gauging difficulties by others’ statements and our estimations from the ground!

We get directions and decide that after driving and a short bouldering session, we really only have time for more bouldering before darkness strikes. So we head to the Jack Black boulders. We get there and inspect the area for where we want to start. After looking at nearly all of the boulders and getting a feel for the area with the aid of the guidebook, the rain calls an end to our session that really has yet to begin! Crimeney!

We run for it! With a huge crash pad (think mattress size folded in two) strapped to my back, Sean and I head for the car, which means we hike down the path and down the road back to the parking area that is about a half mile from the trail. There are plenty of places to park on the side of the road near the trails up to cliffs, but there are no parking signs all over the place. Why, Rumney? Please. Please.

Rain continues. We head to Wal-Mart for our free camping. We set up tent in the rain after finding the one place flat enough and large enough in the woods that isn’t a raging stream at this point. It’s very unsettling to know that our tent-bed is less than a foot lower in elevation than a gathering waterbed.

We stay in the tent waiting for the rain to stop. Since it does not stop, we fall asleep waiting.Or at least one of us does! That was day 1/2. Day 1, in our book! We got climbing in and we made it to the destination! Stay tuned for lots more updates for weather reports and climbing activity in Rumney, NH!

"Your turn, sun!" says your Landescaper, N8