What can’t you find in Central Park? The 840-acre space hides two ice skating rinks, an Olympic-size pool, a half-century old carousel, a free theater where the likes of Meryl Streep and Al Pacino perform Shakespeare every summer, and a Polar Bear who lives on the lower east edge. There’s always more to discover. This past weekend I found Rat Rock, a somewhat legendary climbing wall. Here’s how The New York Times describes it:
Officially called Umpire Rock because it is close to the Heckscher Ballfields, and commonly known as Rat Rock because it used to swarm with rats at night, it is the city’s center of bouldering, which is climbing that involves traversing large, low rocks. The boulder, which is roughly circular, is about 150 feet wide and 25 feet at its tallest point.
For months my buddy Josh pestered me to get out of the climbing gym and onto real rock. Our chance finally came on one of the hottest days of the summer. He led the way Sunday through 90-degree heat as Sarah and I pedaled behind him out of Brooklyn and over the Manhattan Bridge through Midtown traffic to Central Park. We arrived soaked in sweat, yet still welcomed by a few other smelly climbers sporting narrow rock shoes and dusty chalk bags. The atmosphere was laid-back, almost Zen-like, as we stood before the rock and attempted to discern its ways.
We later visited another large rock on the north side of the park called Worthless Boulder. The biggest difference from indoor climbing is that the Manhattan Granite really shreds the skin off your fingers, and also that the boulders lack any substantial toe holds, only nubs and jibs that favor someone like the ninja-footed Josh.
As we left, a tourist asked us, “Where’s that world famous ice skating rink?” So apparently there’s also that in Central Park, if I decide to take up figure skating next.
Love the pictures!!