General

The Narrows, located in Kintnersville Pennsylvania is home to maybe the best ice climbing in Pennsylvania. The climbing is in a series of gullies that bisect the Nockamixon Cliffs – a 400 foot high Brunswick Shale formation – and offers generally reliable conditions most winters. There is convenient parking below the cliff which offers practically no approach. The routes range from WI2 – WI5+ and up to three pitches in length. There are also mixed routes up to M7 on a separate nearby cliff – dry tooling is prohibited at the Narrows.

It’s not a summer climbing area as the rock is vegetated choss. Perfect for ice climbing!

Access Restrictions

There are significant access restrictions. Beginning February 1st and lasting until July 31st, a section of the Nockamixon Cliffs Natural Area in Delaware Canal State Park is CLOSED TO ALL ACTIVITY. Closure information can be found here: 

Guidebooks

Mountainproject information on the Narrows is here. The Griz Guide to ice climbing in Pennsylvania is no longer in print.

Getting There

The Narrows is on the Delaware River, right on the New Jersey – Pennsylvania border. It is on PA-32 one mile south from the PA-32/ PA-611 junction.There is a dirt parking lot on the right and an abandoned factory on the left across the river.

From there it is a matter of walking along the road to get to the climbs. At the parking area you’ll be in between Main Gully and Dead Dear Gully. Facing the cliff Main Gully will be to the Left and Dead Dear Gully will be to the right.