The Sheath Chimney is the chimney formed by the fissure between the Chief Block and the Knife Wall.  Shimmy any number of ways up the narrow chimney.

Sheath Chimney

Warrior's Journey

The Chief

Arrow Arete

Warrior's Way

The Warrior's Journey (V1+) is a traverse that follows the base of the Chief Block along both its face, beginning on the Warrior's Way holds next to the Sheath Chimney.  The traverse moves right and around the Arrow Arete, following the low bulges along to the far hill.

The Chief (V5?) follows the face of the Chief Block at Cunnginham Falls area in Catoctin Mountain Park.  Starting low on a flake, The Chief moves up the face on razor-thin holds that are just as sharp.  Some crumbly rock to the right make a central-ascent necessary.  Bring tape for this one!

The Arrow Arete (V4) follows the right corner of the Chief Block at Cunningham Falls in Catoctin Mountain Park.  Starting on low, crumbly flakes, the route follows the corner up to a narrow platform, where the climber's heart must be straight as an arrow to trust the bad handholds necessary for topping out.

Warrior's Way (V2) follows the left arete of the Chief Block without using any footholds on the opposing face.  Start on a low polatform and low crimps, move up and left to gain the edge.  Fun, balancey moves lead to good holds for the topout.

**January 2022 Access update for bouldering at Catoctin**

Due to the existence of sensitive species of importance to the Park's conservation efforts that occur in these areas. The Park requests that the following boulders be effectively closed to climbing:Hog Rock trail area: Warfare/Knifewall and Chief Block/Gateway Fin, Thurmont Vista area: Sudden/Smelted Chimney Rock (only the Chimney Rock area itself – the Pyramid Boulder is outside the area of concern)Mid Atlantic Climbers asks that the local climbing community respects this request in order to protect overall access to bouldering in the Park. See more info here.Chief Block boulder is a separated block approximately 50 feet north of Jabba the Hutt in the Cunningham Falls area of Catoctin Mountain Park. With a textured side and sharp aretes razoring up the secondary face, the Chief Block features some fun, shorter routes with technical crimps and challenging topouts. The chimney between the block and the main wall offers some opportunity for practicing narrow chimney ascension.The Chief Block gets its name from the face closest to the chimney - can you find it?

Description

Protection

Routes in Chief Block