Theresa Riverside Boulders Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Theresa Riverside Boulders

L › R R › L A › Z

	Big 24, The V2+ 5+
	Midnight Ivy (Project) V4-5 6B+
	Only Boulder in Kentucky, The V2- 5+

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Elevation:	399 ft	122 m
GPS:	44.21602, -75.79169 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	347 total · 23/month
Shared By:	Cooper Uliano on Oct 16, 2023
Admins:	Morgan Patterson Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: History of No Climbing Details

At one point, this small crag had a "no climbing" sign. Because there has been no history of climbing or development at the crag, this was most likely a sign displayed as the result of a drunken injury or something of the like. As of fall 2023, the sign has been removed and it now only says "no swimming", which means climbing is no longer a prohibited activity on this land!

Description

A small roadside crag that contains mainly bouldering on high quality, albeit variable, Potsdam sandstone. This is a beautiful riverside location with ample development opportunities and excellent parking, with amenities only a 5 minute walk away.

This area can be very buggy in mid to late summer, especially at nightfall. Despite its proximity to water, it stays very dry. Parts of this area are great to visit when other zones are wet, although there is a chance that climbing wet or damp sandstone could cause holds to break. Not enough climbing has been done to confirm this phenomenon, but certainly be cautious during periods of heavy rain.

Getting There

From the town center of Theresa (The 4 way intersection), travel East on Mill Street until you find the Theresa bridge over the Indian River. Park at the lot adjacent (South) to the bridge and enter the woods via a small trail along the riverside. The first boulders (cliffline) are 50 feet into the woods. Be VERY careful of all the poison ivy present for most of the season. Also be cautious of seasonal flooding from the dam just below this crag.

Geology

Potsdam sandstone is a relatively soft and variable rock with a surprising array of mineral compositions throughout the area. This can cause some cliffs and boulders to have bomber rock with minimal cleaning needed, and other areas to be complete and utter choss. Finding quality sandstone can be tough in this area, but there are several examples of high quality stone in the area, including Redwood Hill Preserve in Redwood NY, a few miles down the road.

From my limited knowledge on the topic, generally the darker or richer the oranges or reds in the sandstone, the higher the iron or other mineral content, and therefore the lower quality (more choss, weaker holds). Looking for sandstone that is light colored, tan to light orange or even white-ish, helps indicate higher quality stone with stronger holds. Essentially, you'll know the good stuff when you see it, and avoid the bad stuff as it might well maim you!