Kauffman-Cardon
The Seneca Guide from 1971 states "It is believed first climbed by members of the Pittsburgh Explorers Club" - but it is unclear where that information comes from. The 1971 guide also claims an ascent by "Arnold Wexler and party, September 5, 1958. (UR, Vol. 5, no. 4)." - This is 1948, not 1958. and states:
"On Sunday, Seneca Rock was climbed. One party went up via the Old Woman's Route, while another climbed the South Face and traversed
the skyline arete. The latter party, led by Arnold, worked on an interesting variation at the east end of the South Face, a high angle 50-foot lead up a corner to the ton of the narrow chimney on the East Face . The Chimney was formed by a high detached slab called the Rocking Slab because of its bad habit of rocking when sat upon."
While it is not definitive that this is corner is Bee Sting, it is a very likely is, so we have added that FA as well.
First Ascents 2
| Date | Climbers | Type | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 1948 |
1. Arnold Wexler PMC
2. Washington Rock Climbers Club Member PMC |
First Ascent | Possible First Ascent |
Up Rope Volume 5, Number 4; Sep 28, 1948 (1948-18.pdf), Vol. 5, No. 4 (September 28, 1948) ↗ F. R. Robinson, Editor. A Climber's Guide to Seneca Rocks, West Virginia (1971) |
| April 3, 1954 |
1. Andy Kauffman PMC
2. Joan Ascher PMC 3. Betty Kauffman PMC 4. Phil Cardon PMC |
Second Ascent | Betty is not included in the FA in the Seneca Guide from 2021, but she is listed as part of the team in Up Rope 1954-07 (Vol. X, No. 20, May 2, 1954) and in the Seneca Guide from 1971. |
Up Rope Volume 10, Number 20; May 2, 1954 (1954-07.pdf), Vol. 10, No. 20 (May 2, 1954) ↗ Kevin O'Brien & Andy Weinmann. Seneca, The Climber's Guide. Earthbound Sports, LLC (2021). 4th ed. F. R. Robinson, Editor. A Climber's Guide to Seneca Rocks, West Virginia (1971) |