My Seven Year Old Daughter Climbs “Perpendicular”

July 19, 2008 - 8:02am — Don Neske
Looking up at a Cliff of Perpendicular in Harriman State Park

An Outdoor Hiking and Climbing Adventure in Harriman State Park - by Don Neske

It was my daughter Willow’s first climb and a return to an old haunt for me: Harriman State Park’s Perpendicular. We chose a scorcher to make the climb: 94 degrees amidst extreme heat and poor air quality warnings! But hike and climb we did.

I’m not sure if Perpendicular is the real name, but that’s what we always called when I was a much younger man. For these parts it sure would be apt.

Most experienced climbers would find it to be a tad easy, but if you’re new to the sport or looking for an easy-to-reach training ground this could be your spot.

There are cool boulders that will challenge you, one right at the beginning of the trail is a favorite of many a climber. And the there are cliffs of varying difficulty that will challenge and excite you – especially if you have a touch of “the fear of heights” like I do.

For our part, we took a moderate route to the top. We went up a bit and came back down to get the dog to find an easy way for him to follow us. (He was exhausted when we finally made it up there. But we doused him in water to cool him off and he perked right up.)

The view from the top was beautiful. There were Turkey Vultures circling overhead, and it was a gorgeous day. This is the spot I go to in my mind when I need to take myself to a quiet peaceful place to escape the stress of the world. (Know what I mean?) And I was so happy to share it’s beauty and tranquility with my little girl.

Lessons Learned

As is almost always the case, there was a major life lesson to be learned on this trip; I think that whenever I go outdoors there is some enlightening experience waiting for me if I just keep my eyes, ears, heart and mind open.

At the end of the trip, we returned to the big boulder at the beginning of the trail. When we first saw it, Willow really wanted to climb it, but I said, “We’ll think about it.” Now we were back, and having seen her on the cliff, I thought she could give it a try.

At first she gingerly tried to find a toe hold and hand hold, but couldn’t get it. I really didn’t think she could make it. Then she tried attacking it, by throwing herself at it. No such luck. I climbed it, most of the way to show her how she might make it.

She tried, but the hand holds and toe holds were too far apart. She need to grow another foot to do it, and I told her so. It was time to go.

She wouldn’t hear of it.

All those times of me telling her to never give up on her dreams when we were at the playground and fishing and doing anything else that was frustrating and difficult must have sunk in, because she shot me a look like I was betraying her down to her very soul.

She wanted a spot and maybe a little boost, and she was going to make it up that rock if it took all night. I put down my pack, spotted her, and she made it on the next attempt.

She had so much fun she made me promise 3 times that we could come back again!

We're going back first thing in the spring!

Directions

If you want to find this spot, enter the park via Seven Lakes Drive on the Sloatsburg side. Just as you see the wooden Welcome sign for the park, make a left on Johnsontown Road. Make a right at the end and take this road to the end. Park in the shade at the circle.

Just before the circle is a trailhead. As you’re walking back down the road, it will be on your right. Follow the blue and white trail (white with a blue dot in the middle) all the way until you see the cliffs then walk along the cliff until you see something you want to climb.

Or if you want to take it easy, just follow that blue and white up the back side of the mountain. This is a much easier route.

 

Back to our Hiking and Walking Section for more stories like this one!

 

Or share your own story about hiking in our Community Section (Members Only ~ but worry not ~ it's Free!)

Top View from Perpendicular in Harriman State Park
View from theTop of Perpendicular in Harriman State Park
Your rating: None Average: 5 (2 votes)
( categories: )

Comments

coach outlet online

January 8, 2012 - 10:59pm — coach8outlet

To meet people's need,

coach outlet online

supply all sort of cheap coach wallets and bags. the pattern is very innovation. you can buy it as a gift to your best friend.If you have been to the mall lately and browsed

coach outlet

you may find that a high price tag goes along with just about everything in the mall.
Our online store offers you discounted Designer louis vuitton replica wallet at present. You could find them in desirable quality and price. If you don't mind high class

louis vuitton uk

, have a good time here.If you want to catch up to the latest vogue, having

louis vuitton

Handbags of the latest styles can absolutely satisfy you.Just visit LV outlet webpage and select the most suitable products for yourself.
In the

coach outlet online

shop, a collection of high quality and hottest Coach Shoulder Bags is offered to you. They are all at the best prices you will ever find.

coach factory outlet

has a big heart and a healthy appetite, and a wicked swing with a chainsaw. After a knee injury ended his career as a defensive lineman in college, Coach salvaged his Physical Education degree(barely)and landed a job teaching health at the local high school in his hometown of Savannah.
The choices are likely to be basically countless seeing that

louis vuitton outlet

occurs with the help of completely new and also incredible concepts once in a while.If you do decide to shop online for your next designer

louis vuitton bags

, then any one of the shopping review sites will suffice. They take a variety of details from different online retailers and deliver you the best results.
Successfully buying products from the

louis vuitton sale

online now, people can even have handbags as gifts. Time is limited. Just seize the chance.Looking for a

louis vuitton outlet

and don't know where they are? The easiest way is to enter here. That simple and you definitely will never be disappointed.
Once visit, you will be unable to restrain loving it. Warmly welcome all of you to the Summer Sales Promotion on

coach factory outlet

.It is believed that you will like the products on the

coach factory online

. There are spacious sizes and different colors, styles and so on.

coach factory outlet

uses graceful accessories to match the classical logo of coach, which is the best combination of coach. The handmade coach products?can make you more charming and graceful.Are you searching for a cool and stylish coach bag? The

coach factory outlet online

Online is your first priority.
Welcome to order Discount

louis vuitton uk

and lead a fashionable, luxury and elegant life from our Louis Vuitton Canada Outlet Store. Enjoy the shopping now here!You don,t need to go out of your house and wander about to find the LV Bags you like.Additionally, special discounts of the goods such as

louis vuitton

Purses are offered everyday. Hurry up!
The coach shoulder bags win a lot of grace and market share. It can be said that the coach is a legend in history bags at

coach outlet

.If you buy Coach items at the

coach outlet online

store, the goods will be sent out within 24 hours after confirming your payment and arrive to your door within 7 work days.

coach outlet store

sells goods that are constructed to meet the highest standards of quality and functionality.You can trust it 100 percent.This coach outlet store are compatible with people today. And you will undoubtedly pick out the

coach outlet store online

you desire from all kinds of colors and styles.
The hottest new traditional and seasonal

coach bags

. Keep up to date with the latest trends. Look at this zip top closure with colorful C logo printed fabric bag.You may find the most affordable Bags here.After graduating from university, my cousin came back to my hometown from USA last month. She told me that

coach outlet store

is very popular among her classmate.

coach outlet

can provide the coach exactly the same is expected in a retail store. It can help you find bags of various colors, shapes and designs, which prove once again that the coach is actually a selection for the housekeeper.

coach outlet store online

generally variety within the buying price of $120.00 in order to $450.00, however they perform possess little purses as well as scarfs which are below $100.00.
The wide selection of necklaces,bracelets and earrings at the

hermes birkin

varied in styles, are suitable for women of all ages and come in sets for day and evening wear.The

hermes bags

are amazing and you will rest assured by proudly owning a bed that you will find yourself envied by simply your colleagues.
This pair of rhodium-plated

gucci uk

Earrings form elegant semi-circles with a dangling element embellished in clear crystal pave. Wear them with your everyday outfit to add a touch of eye-catching elegance.After only a few minutes with a Swarovski scope, even before it is mounted-let alone used-you will know why

gucci uk sale

is synonymous with quality. The care and attention to detail in Swarovski scopes is clear from every angle, and promises years of sturdy and reliable service.

The place looks amazing, I've

January 8, 2012 - 6:11am — johnallen

The place looks amazing, I've never been to the Harriman State park so your post certainly is very informative for me. Its certainly a great new experience for parents when kids are hiking for the first time and I'm filled with admiration for the way you made the hike memorable for both of you. Longboat Key homes

What a great family leisure

May 16, 2011 - 9:26am — AmyC

What a great family leisure activity! My husband has been wanting to start climbing, but we're not sure our two sons are ready for it. He thinks that they would love it, but I'm obviously a protective mother. We'll see in a few years!

long trench coats for men

January 10, 2012 - 12:25am — tim01

long trench coats for men short trench coats for women best trench coat cheap bomber jackets lightweight leather jacket hooded leather bomber jacket aviator jackets for men leather aviator jackets

tiffany sunglasses I used to

January 25, 2012 - 4:41am — alton100

tiffany sunglasses I used to be more than happy to seek out this internet-site.I wanted to thanks in your time for this glorious read!! I positively enjoying each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post