Cragies and Snackies

Would you have guessed that there are nearly 2,000 established climbing routes in Maryland?  Indeed there are, and today we are going to focus on one of best climbing areas in the state.  The Patapsco Valley State Park is just fifteen miles from the center of Baltimore.  It’s easily accessible, well established, and has 120 routes including Trad, Sport, Top Rope, and Bouldering.  The two spots with the most routes per crag (RPG) are Alberton with 25 routes, and Woodstock Rock with 18 routes.  Today we’ll stick with Woodstock Rock because I like the route names, and there is an intriguing X rated 5.10 called The Cave.  The wall itself is around 40 feet and includes a 24-foot roof section, which tests the endurance of even the strongest climbers.  Most of the routes are established for either Trad or Top Rope, but there are a few Boulder problems as well.  

The highest rated routes at Woodstock Rock are Bloody Bucket, The Wimpy Whiner Way, and my personal favorite Do What!.  The beta for Do What! really brings the name into light.  Mountain Project describes this route as follows: This line has become a classic at Woodstock and may seem harder than 5.10c until you unlock its sequence. Climb the short thin finger crack and face up to the alcove. Move out the left side of the large flat roof to its outer corner and pull up for the large protruding horn. Find the key hand hold and stand up. Finish it off on moderate ground to the top. 

Uh…do what?

There is a R-rated V5 boulder problem called Out of the Cauldron and Into the Fire which brings the goods, with a dicey traverse and a pumpy finish, definitely worth a try as you try to decipher the beta for Do What!.  I really appreciate crags with a mix of bouldering and sport climbs, being able to do a little bit of everything makes for a solid day on the rocks!

Now the real benefit of climbing at metropolitan cragies is the easy access to an abundance of snackies.  It just so happens that Baltimore, MD is home to one of the top-rated vegan restaurants in the US.

The Land of Kush Vegan Soul Bistro is peppered with awards and 5-star reviews.  They’ve been featured all over the place including CBS, ABCNews, EBONY, The New York Times, Forbes, and now theDIHEDRAL’s Cragies and Snackies.  

The owner’s, Chef Gregory Brown and Naijha Wright-Brown bring a wealth of creative, positive, and community minded thinking into a restaurant and menu curated with flavor, quality ingredients, experience, and love.

The Land of Kush has been serving up the ultimate vegan soul food experience since 2011 as Baltimore’s premier vegan restaurant, and that reputation seems to be getting stronger by the minute.

The menu is absolute gold from top to bottom, and the only way to ensure that you get through it is to make sure everyone in the crew orders something different and then split everything in equal parts.  If that’s not an option, then just close your eyes and point because whatever you end up with is sure to satiate that appetite you built up from climbing all day at The Patapsco.

The menu primarily consists of 6 distinct sections; entrees, wraps, salads, sides, desserts, and drinks which include beverages, smoothies, fresh juices, and shakes.  There are several platter options which include combos from different sections of the menu.

For my money, the real standouts at Kush are the entrees which include Eggplant, Chickpea Burger, BBQ Ribs, Curry Chickun, Vegan Crab Cakes, Black-eye Pea Fritters, and the list goes on.  And also, for my money the wraps, salads, sides, and beverages are the real standouts too. Basically, everything on the menu is elite.

If your crew isn’t willing to share and you don’t feel like just blindly pointing at the menu, then here’s my recommendation…

Go with the Special Combo Platter which includes an entrée, two sides, and a 16oz drink.  You gotta go with the Kush BBQ Ribs for the entrée with Collard Greens, and Baked Mac & Cheese for the sides.  The beverage is obviously the Wild Kombucha.  If there is any room left over the vegan Oreo Milkshake may be the best option to wash it all down.

Granted that sometimes eating too much after a climb is not the vibe, if that’s the case, then you gotta go with plan b, which includes the Live Kale Salad, and a Maple Nut Crunch Smoothie.

In the end, no matter what you decide, you’re going to be happy, and your tummy will thank you.

The Land of Kush is a community first establishment focused not only on healthy sustainable food for the body, but also healthy sustainable food for the mind.

So, the next time you find yourself at the Patapsco, or climbing in the Baltimore area, or in Baltimore, or Maryland, or really anywhere near Maryland, make sure to schedule a detour to fill your stomach with good food, and your soul with good vibes! 

Location: Baltimore, Maryland “Fatti Maschii Parole Femine (strong deeds, gentle words)”

Crag: The Patapsco Valley State Park

Restaurant: The Land of Kush Vegan Soul Bistro

Distance: 10.4 Miles