Pennsylvania · Rock climbing · Portersville

Rappel Rock

Rappel RockPhoto: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
6 routes
5.8 – 5.12b
Top Rope · Bouldering
Aug–Sep
best months

Rappel Rock is a climbing area in Pennsylvania, sitting right next to the town of McConnells Mill, about a tenth of a mile away. It is one of several climbing spots clustered in this corner of the state, with Island Block, Sunshine Wall and Rim Road Climbing Area all within a short distance. The area has six routes, five of which are top rope and one is bouldering. The grades run from 5.8- up to 5.12b on the YDS scale, with Laid Back at 5.10b and Hanging in Space at 5.12b as two of the more notable climbs. The bouldering route is rated V0+. For timing, late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 69°F and September highs around 74°F, with July peaking near 81°F. The Slippery Rock Gorge Trail (NCT) passes about a tenth of a mile away, and the North Country Trail lies roughly 2.5 miles off. Glacier Ridge Trail (NCT) and Five Points Trail are both within about 3 miles.

  • Best time to go · Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Rappel Rock

    Best months: August–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      33° / 17°

      16 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 18°

      14 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 25°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      59° / 35°

      14 wet

    5. May

      69° / 45°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 54°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 58°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 56°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 50°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 39°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 31°

      13 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 23°

      15 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Slippery Rock 1 Ssw, PA, 9.2 mi away at 1,260 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (6)