The Gunks
Sep 20-22, 2023

New York

Wheelchair Icon

Skill Level:
No experience necessary!

Level 5

Accessibility Rating:
Most Accessible

Rock Climbing

Category:
Rock Climbing

tent

Lodging:
Camping

Group Size

Group Size:
15-18

COST: FREE for Veterans

Limited Space Available!

$225 for Non-Veterans

Adaptive Climber Trip Registration
Veterans Trip Registration
COVID Guidelines

OVERVIEW

This September please join us in one of the most majestic climbing destinations in the world, The Gunks! Peak foliage, outstanding conditions, and bomber rock quality are just a few of the highlights you will experience during this immersive weekend in New Paltz, NY. The weekend features two days of climbing, camping under the stars, great food and an amazing community.

Since 1935, climbers at the Shawangunks – aka “Gunks” –have been pushing the limit and putting the Mohonk Preserve on the map.  There are more than 1,000 routes, and our climbing will range from 5.5 – 5.10, with the majority of the routes falling around the 5.6 – 5.8 range. There is something here for everyone! We provide instruction for all abilities and mobility levels. With the help of the Mohonk Preserve and its Rangers, Paradox Sports is thrilled to bring you another year of climbing and camping on the beautifully maintained and protected land.

This year, Paradox Sports is running two trips simultaneously; our yearly Gunks trip and a Veterans program that is sponsored by the VF Foundation!

ACCESSIBILITY

This is the most accessible outdoor Legacy Trip that Paradox Sports runs! Mohonk Preserve actively promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities on the land and within our programs. See more about their commitment to accessibility on their website here: https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/visit/accessibility.html
Accessibility at the campground includes paved roads to and from the campsites and group pavilions. Campsite is approximately 1/4 mile from the group pavilion. You will be sleeping in a tent so please bring your own equipment for transfers and camping mobility. The climbing sites are located on a gravel carriage road. Paradox Sports strives to serve all individuals regardless of ability, and encourages individuals considering this program to review our Essential Eligibility Criteria here, and the prerequisites specific to this program below. If you have specific questions about this program, please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org.

TRIP SCHEDULE

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change.
A finalized schedule will be emailed to you before the trip.

WEDNESDAY

4 PM: Arrive and set-up camp at Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground
6 PM: Welcome dinner and program overview
8 PM: Campfire

THURSDAY

7:30 AM: Breakfast at Camp
9 AM – 4 PM: Full day of climbing at Mohonk Preserve (Gunks)
6 PM: Dinner and campfire

FRIDAY

7:30 AM: Breakfast at Camp
9 AM – 2 PM: Half day of climbing at Mohonk Preserve
3 PM: Pack up and depart New Paltz
Photos
FAQs
Packing List

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Climbers:

We encourage participants to have basic outdoor experience and at minimum an introductory understanding of either rock climbing. Each year we welcome first-time climbers into our community, right alongside some of the best in the world. There will be routes available for a wide variety of skill levels, and coaches to help you succeed – whatever your goal may be. Our climbing will range from 5.5-5.10, with the majority of routes falling around the 5.6-5.8 range. Additionally for our 2020 trip, participants must meet the following criteria:
  • Participants must not be on the CDC list of people at increased risk
  • Participants must provide their own transportation to/from the crag each day.
  • Participants should be able to don/doff/adjust harnessing independently OR with the assistance of another participant from the same household.
  • Participants must be able to move about the Gunks carriage road (bumpy gravel road) independently, with or without the use of a wheelchair or assistive device OR with the assistance of another participant from the same household.

Climbing Assistants:

Due to the nature of this program, climbing assistants should have previous experience on a Paradox Sports trip, attended a Paradox Sports volunteer training, Adaptive Climbing Initiative course, and/or be an experienced climber. We encourage all assistants to have experience in the outdoors. Assistants are expected to belay, be comfortable assisting others through variable terrain, and have at least an introductory understanding of climbing and the associated equipment. Paradox Sports reserves the right to assign assistants to appropriate roles based on the assessment of experience, skills, comfort and overall ability.

This trip is a car camping trip – please come prepared for all weather! Individuals should be prepared to bring their own camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, pads, cook setup, etc.). Paradox has some gear available to loan if requested.
We will be staying at the AAC Gunks Campground: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground
There are accessible hot showers and flush toilets at the main pavilion of the campground where we meet for all meals. There are vault toilets with bars at the preserve within 1/4 mile from the climbing area. Black bears active within the Mohonk Preserve and surrounding area. At the AAC Campground, you may not store any food or scented items in your tent (ie. candy, snacks, sunscreen, chapstick, toothpaste, etc). We will provide you a space to store toiletries and other items if needed. Camping fees are including in your registration.

All participants and climbing assistants are responsible for their transportation to and from the event as well as during the weekend.
Mohonk Preserve is located outside of New Paltz, New York in south eastern New York state, halfway between Albany and New York City.
Paradox Sports can help connect you with rideshare options with other participants or assistants joining, depending on ride availability. During registration you will have the option to request carpool, and include where you will be coming from.
The closest metropolitan areas and airports within driving distance are:
•    Albany – 1 1/2 hours
•    Bergen County, NJ – 1 1/4 hours
•    Boston – 4 hours
•    Philadelphia – 3 1/2 hours
•    Nassau County – 2 1/4 hours
•    New York City – 1 1/2 hours
•    Suffolk County – 3 hours
•    Syracuse – 3 1/2 hours

We encourage climbers to bring their own personal gear if possible, including a harness, helmet, and climbing shoes. All group gear, including ropes, anchor material, bouldering pads will be provided. Climbers will also need to bring all personal camping gear, including tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and appropriate clothing. Paradox Sports has a limited range of climbing shoes, helmets, harnesses, and camping gear available to loan if you need to borrow please indicate in your registration. You can see a full packing list for trips at the button above, and we are happy to answer any questions about gear that you might have!

Paradox will provide Wednesday night dinner, Thursday breakfast and dinner, and Friday breakfast. Paradox will provide food supplies for ‘build your own’ lunches for Thursday and Friday, including snack items. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please include that in your registration.

Due to the nature of this program, climbing assistants should have previous experience on a Paradox Sports trip, attended a Paradox Sports volunteer training, Adaptive Climbing Initiative course, and/or be an experienced climber. We encourage all assistants to have experience in the outdoors. Assistants are expected to belay, be comfortable assisting others through variable terrain, and have at least an introductory understanding of climbing and the associated equipment. Paradox Sports reserves the right to assign assistants to appropriate roles based on the assessment of experience, skills, comfort and overall ability.
Assistants register through the link above, and select “Assistant Climber Registration”. The cost for assisting with the same as the cost for adaptive climbers. As a non-profit, we need to cover our cost to operate and this includes both participants and assistants pitching in to cover trips costs. Often the lines between “participant” and “assistant” are indistinguishable as we enjoy a weekend of climbing as a community. Registration fees for everyone cover food, lodging, equipment, professional guides, extra programming, insurance, and other overhead for planning the trip. It takes a lot to make these programs succeed – we thank you for your contribution both physically and financially.
If you are an AMGA certified guide and want to volunteer guide time on any of our programs, please contact our Program Manager Nate McKenzie at nate@paradoxsports.org.

What’s Included:

•    Professional guides and instruction with a ratio of 2:1
•    Camping and Guide Fees
•    Meals: Friday dinner; Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday breakfast and lunch
•    Gear: Technical rock climbing equipment (please indicate your gear needs in your registration)

What’s Not Included:

•    Transportation: All participants and volunteers are responsible for getting to and from the event, as well as transportation during the weekend.
•   Guardian / Partner registrations: Each registration is for one individual only. If your friends, significant other, guardian or personal aid would like to join, we ask that they register as a volunteer for the trip and help cover the costs of lodging, meals, logistics, guides, etc. and that they are eager and willing to be an active part of the community for the weekend!
•   Alcohol is not included, and not permitted while on Paradox Sports programs.
* For information on financial assistance please see more details here.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of our programs, Paradox Sports has a no pets policy.  If you have a service animal that you plan to bring with you on a program, please be sure to let us know in advance and familiarize yourself with this Service Animal Agreement.  We will require a signed copy of this agreement from anyone bringing a service dog with them on the trip.  If you bring any animals on a program that are not service animals, you may be asked to leave without reimbursement.

We have a cancellation policy to ensure the maximum number of climbers can attend and spots do not go unused.
If you cancel:
•    2 weeks or more before the event, you will receive a full refund of your registration fees unless costs were incurred by Paradox Sports; in that case, we may retain 10% of your registration fee.
•   Less than 2 weeks before the event and we cannot fill your spot, you will be charged 50% of the registration fee.
•   Without notice (no-show) your registration fee is non-refundable and we will retain the full fee.
•   For cancellations due to emergency situations and special cases, please contact us to discuss options. We will work with you for the best solution.
*If you are asked to leave any Paradox Sports event by staff due to inappropriate behavior, you will not be refunded any fees in association with the trip or event, no matter the duration that you were in attendance. 

Questions? Please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org or by phone 720-638-5593

Sign the Gunks Trip Waiver

SPONSORS

Thank you to our 2023 Gunks Sponsor:

Polartec