The Gunks, Spring 2025 Newsletter
Welcome back! Let's rock climb!
Can you feel it? Can you feel the warmer temperatures in the afternoon sun?
Can you see them? The buds on the tree branches and bulbs bursting through the soil?
Can you smell it? That precipitous smell of rain and wet soil?
I can. And all of it signals one thing–the Spring and the beginning of the 2025 rock season! We’re back, baby!
My April Availability
If you are chomping at the bit to climb this April, I want to update you about my availability.
I will be out of town, climbing in Red Rock, from April 11th to the 20th.
If you want to schedule climbing this April, please try to avoid those dates. Otherwise, see you in May! Or any other month this season!
Average Springtime Temperatures at The Gunks
April- low of 38°F, high of 48°F; seems cold, I know, but it’s good in the sun.
May-low of 49.5°F, high of 58.5°F; yes, we’re getting there.
June- low of 58.6°F, high of 67.3°F; the tastiest springtime temps.
Driest Springtime Month: April
Springtime Holidays (to celebrate with climbing) in 2025
April 20th: My birthday! (but I’ll be out of town)
April 21st: Easter Monday
May 26th: Memorial Day
June 15th: Father’s Day
June 19th: Juneteenth
Current Cliff Closure
Every year, the Mohonk Preserve closes a section of the cliff to give more space for nesting peregrine falcons. At this point in the season, the 2025 closure is substantial.
Pretty much everything from the Mac Wall onward is closed (going towards the High E Buttress). But no worries! There is still plenty to climb in the meantime!
We can expect the closure to shrink in the coming months. By the summer, we’ll have access to the rest of the cliff. Hopefully, we’ll get to see the new peregrines enjoying the cliff!
What Can YOU Look Forward to This Season?
NEW Specialty Trips!
As always, I will spend most of my season in our beloved Gunks. However, this year, I have been working to create itineraries and opportunities for more specialty trips.
For example, summiting Mt. Colden or climbing Wallface Mountain or Poke-O-Moonshine in the Adirondacks, sport climbing in Rumney, doing trad classics on Cannon Cliff in New Hampshire, or maybe even climbing multi-pitches in Red Rock.
In September, I’ll climb Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine.
Does this sort of stuff interest you? Please email me and let me know! I would love to help facilitate some epic adventures this season.
This newsletter is getting me so psyched to rock climb with you all! Let’s send it! See you soon!
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