Fairly vertical for a 5.5, this climb has good feet and decent hands that justify the grade.

 Not a great route for a budding leader--the pro is mostly in flaring cracks and some of it is hard to place, so if you're not good with your placements it could be dangerous. On the other hand, a 5.5 climber leader who wants to challenge their head game could find this instructional.

Cat's Meow

Illinois Flake

The Rook

Fine Pine Line

Economy Class Airfare

Tip Top

Departure

Little to None

Hardware Route

Dharmakaya

Knuckle Dragger

CAUTION: I did minimal cleaning on this route for the protection and will come back to finish cleaning it. Its a full on gardening and vegetation climb especially near the top until I am done cleaning it.

 Fun moves and great climbing. It might be easier if you are taller.

 The route starts to the right of the boulder and goes up about 10 feet until its possible to "Step Over" left to the ledge to continue up. Continue up past a block. There is an alternate way up -- instead of stepping over and continuing straight up from the "Step Over" ledge, climb up to the small roof/block and then left.

 Anchor: A tree at the top.

Climb up the thin cracks past the Illinois shaped flake up to the roof and up near the boulder above.

Climb up an easy, fun start.  Turn right to face the rook.  As it gets overhung, use the crack on the left, until you can traverse out, and pull up to the ledge.  Climb the much easier section to the top.

Climb the crack up to a roof. I exited left, but it seems as if you can also exit right.

Climb the corner and up left of the arete to the top

Climb to a ledge, wipe your feet off, and continue up to the top of the cliff.

Up the short wall to a large ledge then head up towards the small roof to another ledge

The name of this route refers to the history of Sky Top's historic Hardware Route, which marked the first appearance of hammers at the Gunks.

 The route is recognizable by the bolt that acts as the first piece of gear. It features face climbing on edges. This route shares its topout with Fine Pine Line (if the roof for that route is exited on the left).

Look at the steepest face in the Playground; there, just left of the obvious pillar that is The Rook.  See that vague weakness right out the middle of the overhangs?  That's Dharmakaya.  Beautiful white rock down low, powerful moves through the upper section.

A height-dependent climb; your reach can make this feel easier or harder. Climb between Economy Class Airfare and Darmakaya and through the center of the roof to the top. Can share anchor with Economy Class Airfare.

This area extends from the pair of huge white pine trees, rightwards to the huge, imposing roof. The roof has a couple projects but apparently no completed routes yet. 

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in b. The Playground