From late November until mid-spring, the Wilmington-Whiteface Region offers towering ice-filled chimneys, crevices and cliffs – some with easy roadside access. Take your pick.

Chiller Pillar
Chiller Pillar is a beautiful pitch located just a few hundred yards from the road. The climb is located at about 2,400 ft (731.5 m) elevation so it tends to be reliable even on warmer days. This area has the feel of Pitchoff Quarry without the crowds. You’ll find many mixed climb options near the main flow which provides at least 80 ft (24.4 m) of vertical ice.

Chiller Pillar is accessible from the Cobble Lookout Trail. From the Lodge, take a left out of the driveway and go straight through the stop sign. Follow Route 431 up three miles (4.82 km) to Gillespie Drive. Bear right onto Gillespie. The trailhead is 1/3 mile (1/2 km) up on the right.

Click here to check out our video of climbers on Chiller Pillar.

Multiplication Gully
This route, one of the most popular in the Northeast, is hidden in a crevice along Route 86 near Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort, just 3 miles (4.82 km) from the Lodge. It offers crevice climbing with great views of Moss Cliff framed by rock walls. Park in the pullout on the opposite side of the highway, about 200 ft (60.96 km) east of the boulder marking the start of the access path.

Read the Adirondack’s Almanack’s blog about this climb.

Check out more great ice climbing routes nearby.