Uncharted Territory

Its astounding what is unmarked on maps. This place is like a miniature national park hidden in the outskirts of Scottdale Pa.


Fortunately climbing enthusiasts have it well documented on the world wide web, otherwise it might have laid unseen by the non-locals for quite some time.


Spencer Hall and Zack Sterret gear up for their first accents of the late afternoon.

Zack was first on deck.

Spencer eagerly went next, easily scaling the three or four story high mineral.


During the descents, there was always a sigh of relief.


After the first two climbs we scaled "the easy way up," and took a moment to relax, reflecting on the natural scenery around us.


Night was falling quickly,



but they were determined to get a few more climbs in on an even more difficult rock. Zack encountered some issues towards the top, but managed to pull through.


They only had one pair of climbing shoes between the two of them, which thwarted the transfer of climber to climber.

Soon after the final climb, it was pitch black in the woods. Several issues arose. Spencer managed to leave a piece of equipment locked in near the top of the rock, which required them repel it with no lighting equipment other than a dim head lamp. As we gathered our equipment, Zack managed to drop our brightest flash light in a cave, which led to another ten minute wait. Then we managed to lose our trail and stumble through the forest with no real knowledge of where we were heading. This was dangerous considering we had to get down several smaller cliffs to get to get back to the car. We continuously careened through thick spider webs weaved between trees, and managed to stumble upon a colony of millipedes which I attempted to photograph. Unfortunately my memory card was full. I could have switched cards but i was standing on un-even ground, in the pitch black forest, while Spencer and Zack moved forward anxiously attempting to get out. Eventually, we made it to the car, then Zack discussed what an "Equitable Fire Unit" is, and how he wanted me to be put in one.