The Cliffhanger LbNA #27069
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Nov 12, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Wilmington |
| County: | New Castle |
| State: | Delaware |
| Boxes: | 5 |
| Planted by: | FishMan  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | SecondGradeSensation (3) |
| Last found: | Jun 10, 2012 |
| Status: | FFFFOFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Nov 12, 2006 |
This letterbox offers 2 approaches: Easy (flat walk, stroller friendly) and Difficult (rough, rocky trail, no bikes). The higher the risk, the higher the reward. Alapocas Run Park is a carry-in carry-out park. Somehow not everyone complies with the second part. In an effort to keep this park (and really all the parks you visit) beautiful and clean, I would ask that for every letterbox you find, you take a piece of trash with you.
EASY: Your adventure begins in the Rockford Park area. Traveling down the hill on Rockford Road, you past the empty guard shack. You could take either road toward Bancroft Mills. You choose the high road. You park after the roads converge and gather your gear for the climb. You head for the northeast corner of the lot and set out onto the bridge over the Brandywine. Pausing to look over the edge, you wondering how much higher the rock will be than this. You emerge from the bridge and quickly the cliffs reveal themselves. Staring at them in awe, you head down the paved path. About 50 feet from the bridge something manages to catch your eye. It’s in that cluster of trees to your left. It’s not the beam leaning against it. You walk closer to get a better look. Down at the base (behind the tree in the little thicket) you see a gleaming carabiner. Well, you evidently aren’t the first to attempt this climb.
Heading back to the path, you walk along staring up at the cliff. Are you really ready for this climb? You stop at the triangular kiosk to read about the rocks that form this sheer landscape. Skip ahead to THE FINAL PREPARATION.
DIFFICULT: You turn onto Alapocas Drive (off Powder Mill Road or the Augustine Cutoff.) Pull into the Alapocas Ball Fields. Don’t let that yellow sign hinder you. After parking at the east corner of the lot you gather your gear. You stop at the map to find the best route to the cliffs but you’re too nervous to figure out what trail goes where. You’ll figure it out along the way. You pound out over the 2 bridges. Seeing the boulders of the stream, you contemplate testing your footwork but think better of it. The last thing you need to do is twist an ankle. Hugging around the corner to the right, you don’t even notice that the trail had just split off. You look up to seeing the blue circle pointing you towards the Paw Paw Loop. Immediately after bearing right here, something catches your eye by the towering tree to your right. You go towards it and discover something glistening by the base (around the back under the log). Well, you weren’t the first hiker on this trail.
WARNING!!! Update 12 July 09: I just got a report that there is a bees nest in or very close to the log where the next stamp is hidden. Please use EXTREME care when/if going for this box. I will try to check it out to see if I can move it soon.
Continuing down the trail, your footing gets more difficult. While concentrating on your steps you see that the trail splits 3 ways yet again! You went right the last 2 times so this time you go left. The terrain of loose rocks beneath your feet has you thinking you’re one slip away from a flying header down the trail. You soon begin a gentle ascent. You can hear the sounds of the river in the distance ahead. You’re about to bend left with the trail but decide to take in the view of the river. Your eye catches a tree which snapped off leaving a 10’ tall stump. Walking down to the upper portion which now lies on the ground, you take a seat to absorb the majestic view of the Brandywine. Not wanting to take your mind too much off the mission, you bend down to pick up your rope (up hill end, river side of the log).
You head back to the trail to continue towards your destination. You find yourself skirting the ridgeline with the sounds of the river getting fainter behind you. Are you on the right trail? Maybe you should have paid more attention to the map? You’re getting a little nervous now. You pause at the trail merge and eventually decide to head around the corner towards the stream. The thought of climbing that hill made your legs tired. You bound across the rocks in the stream and head up to the next post. Saying no to the Upper Reach, you opt to head back towards the water. Shortly you find the trail splits again! Hot pink isn’t normally your color, but you go with it this time. Is the trail dropping or are the rocks are rising? At the bottom of the hill you turn left to get a better look at the rock formation. Stepping up to the rock on the corner, you size it up and contemplate a little sparring to get warmed up. The rock is only a couple feet taller than you. This might be a good place to practice a couple of grips. You put your backpack down to your left and pull out your chalk bag to dry your hands. (Under SPOR at base of formation).
After feeling through a few grips you head back to the trail, anxious to grip the real rock! Following the river downstream, you soon cross under the steel beams and emerge from trail to the sight you’ve nervously sought. You head towards the cliff and join the paved path, your eyes fixed on the wall the whole time. This isn’t your wall, but you’re close. You stop at the kiosk to read about the rock you intend to tame.
THE FINAL PREPARATION
Continuing along the path parallel to the river, you cross over the rushing stream and come to the signs pointing to your destiny. You pause to look at the wall and feel that slight twinge in the pit of your stomach. Maybe you’re not ready? Maybe you’re not as good as you think? . . . No! You can do this! You just need to clear your head. You continue down the path to get your wits. Soon a large field opens to your left with another, steeper cliff looming in the distance. You’ll save that for another day. As you get to the end of that large field you turn back to your right to the field on the other side of the path. You head towards the largest tree at the far corner of the field. You take a seat beneath the tree to catch your breath and focus your mind. You’re ready. You CAN do this. You reach behind you to get your climbing shoes from your backpack. (Inside the standing shell of bark of a former trunk from the same tree.)
With your shoes strapped tight, you grab your gear and head back to the wall. You stop at the sign to size the wall up from a distance. Looking at the cliff, you take 4 steps to your right. Wanting the widest perspective possible, you take 12 steps backwards to the very edge of the steep ridge of the river. You put your backpack down and gather up your carabiners, your rope and your chalk bag. You’re ready to be The Cliffhanger!
(SPOR to your right in a vine that circled up and grew back into the ground.)
NOTE: If you actually wish to climb the cliffs, you must obtain a climbing permit from the Wilmington State Parks office before climbing in Alapocas Woods. There is no fee for the permit. They can be contacted at the address and phone below: Wilmington State Parks 1021 West 18th Street Wilmington, DE 19802 (302) 577-7020 voice (302) 577-7084 fax.
EASY: Your adventure begins in the Rockford Park area. Traveling down the hill on Rockford Road, you past the empty guard shack. You could take either road toward Bancroft Mills. You choose the high road. You park after the roads converge and gather your gear for the climb. You head for the northeast corner of the lot and set out onto the bridge over the Brandywine. Pausing to look over the edge, you wondering how much higher the rock will be than this. You emerge from the bridge and quickly the cliffs reveal themselves. Staring at them in awe, you head down the paved path. About 50 feet from the bridge something manages to catch your eye. It’s in that cluster of trees to your left. It’s not the beam leaning against it. You walk closer to get a better look. Down at the base (behind the tree in the little thicket) you see a gleaming carabiner. Well, you evidently aren’t the first to attempt this climb.
Heading back to the path, you walk along staring up at the cliff. Are you really ready for this climb? You stop at the triangular kiosk to read about the rocks that form this sheer landscape. Skip ahead to THE FINAL PREPARATION.
DIFFICULT: You turn onto Alapocas Drive (off Powder Mill Road or the Augustine Cutoff.) Pull into the Alapocas Ball Fields. Don’t let that yellow sign hinder you. After parking at the east corner of the lot you gather your gear. You stop at the map to find the best route to the cliffs but you’re too nervous to figure out what trail goes where. You’ll figure it out along the way. You pound out over the 2 bridges. Seeing the boulders of the stream, you contemplate testing your footwork but think better of it. The last thing you need to do is twist an ankle. Hugging around the corner to the right, you don’t even notice that the trail had just split off. You look up to seeing the blue circle pointing you towards the Paw Paw Loop. Immediately after bearing right here, something catches your eye by the towering tree to your right. You go towards it and discover something glistening by the base (around the back under the log). Well, you weren’t the first hiker on this trail.
WARNING!!! Update 12 July 09: I just got a report that there is a bees nest in or very close to the log where the next stamp is hidden. Please use EXTREME care when/if going for this box. I will try to check it out to see if I can move it soon.
Continuing down the trail, your footing gets more difficult. While concentrating on your steps you see that the trail splits 3 ways yet again! You went right the last 2 times so this time you go left. The terrain of loose rocks beneath your feet has you thinking you’re one slip away from a flying header down the trail. You soon begin a gentle ascent. You can hear the sounds of the river in the distance ahead. You’re about to bend left with the trail but decide to take in the view of the river. Your eye catches a tree which snapped off leaving a 10’ tall stump. Walking down to the upper portion which now lies on the ground, you take a seat to absorb the majestic view of the Brandywine. Not wanting to take your mind too much off the mission, you bend down to pick up your rope (up hill end, river side of the log).
You head back to the trail to continue towards your destination. You find yourself skirting the ridgeline with the sounds of the river getting fainter behind you. Are you on the right trail? Maybe you should have paid more attention to the map? You’re getting a little nervous now. You pause at the trail merge and eventually decide to head around the corner towards the stream. The thought of climbing that hill made your legs tired. You bound across the rocks in the stream and head up to the next post. Saying no to the Upper Reach, you opt to head back towards the water. Shortly you find the trail splits again! Hot pink isn’t normally your color, but you go with it this time. Is the trail dropping or are the rocks are rising? At the bottom of the hill you turn left to get a better look at the rock formation. Stepping up to the rock on the corner, you size it up and contemplate a little sparring to get warmed up. The rock is only a couple feet taller than you. This might be a good place to practice a couple of grips. You put your backpack down to your left and pull out your chalk bag to dry your hands. (Under SPOR at base of formation).
After feeling through a few grips you head back to the trail, anxious to grip the real rock! Following the river downstream, you soon cross under the steel beams and emerge from trail to the sight you’ve nervously sought. You head towards the cliff and join the paved path, your eyes fixed on the wall the whole time. This isn’t your wall, but you’re close. You stop at the kiosk to read about the rock you intend to tame.
THE FINAL PREPARATION
Continuing along the path parallel to the river, you cross over the rushing stream and come to the signs pointing to your destiny. You pause to look at the wall and feel that slight twinge in the pit of your stomach. Maybe you’re not ready? Maybe you’re not as good as you think? . . . No! You can do this! You just need to clear your head. You continue down the path to get your wits. Soon a large field opens to your left with another, steeper cliff looming in the distance. You’ll save that for another day. As you get to the end of that large field you turn back to your right to the field on the other side of the path. You head towards the largest tree at the far corner of the field. You take a seat beneath the tree to catch your breath and focus your mind. You’re ready. You CAN do this. You reach behind you to get your climbing shoes from your backpack. (Inside the standing shell of bark of a former trunk from the same tree.)
With your shoes strapped tight, you grab your gear and head back to the wall. You stop at the sign to size the wall up from a distance. Looking at the cliff, you take 4 steps to your right. Wanting the widest perspective possible, you take 12 steps backwards to the very edge of the steep ridge of the river. You put your backpack down and gather up your carabiners, your rope and your chalk bag. You’re ready to be The Cliffhanger!
(SPOR to your right in a vine that circled up and grew back into the ground.)
NOTE: If you actually wish to climb the cliffs, you must obtain a climbing permit from the Wilmington State Parks office before climbing in Alapocas Woods. There is no fee for the permit. They can be contacted at the address and phone below: Wilmington State Parks 1021 West 18th Street Wilmington, DE 19802 (302) 577-7020 voice (302) 577-7084 fax.