Wallface is one of the most distinct climbs in the Adirondack park, and is particularly notable for drawing in visitors. Located in the High Peaks wilderness area, it is surprisingly hard to access, requiring an approach of roughly two hours. As a result of this seclusion, it is commonly noted as one of the most "wild" climbs, having beautiful, unobstructed views away from major roads. Wallface's other memorable aspect is its striking height, 700 feet. This ranks it as the largest cliff in the Northeast. It is interesting that Fritz Wiessner initially disapproved of the steep rock he deemed not built for climbing. Regardless, he managed to concede years later that he appreciated the solitude of Wallface and claimed it was his favorite climbing location in the Northeast. Wallface has continually been inspected and climbed for new routes at a steady and thorough progress.
In 1933, starting as a what was little more than a bushwack and scramble up a cliff, John Case climbed a one thousand foot climb on the virgin rock of the isolated Wallface. It took him approximately an hour and fourty five mintues, a rather impressive time, to scale the entire wall. Three days later, in pursuit of the same semblence of adventure that was accomplished earlier, four young boys aged fourteen to nineteen attempted to climb up near the place where Case had set his route. On their account, when three of them had reached a point perhaps 250 feet from the top of the cliff, they had discovered they could not progress any further up the rock. The lone fourteen year old who had decided not to climb was tasked with finding help for the party. The boy ran to the nearby Adirondack Loj, and a search party was made. A plane was called out to pick up and rescue the boys. In the mean time, the three were stranded on a small rock face. Fearing slipping off while falling asleep, the trio tied all of their shoelaces together and began talking to the nearby residents who resided on the bottom of the cliff, using a makeshift birch bark megaphone. Soon after, a rope was dropped, a boy was attached himself to it, and then was promptly dropped back onto the rock face when the rope broke. The second rope missed the ledge, but the third managed to help assist the boys back to safety. Stories like these exemplify two qualities of the Adirondacks. Primarily, the spirit of adventure possesses a wide group of Americans - anyone from the solo adult climber to the group of teenage boys. Secondarily, it shows a community aspect of the Adirondacks. A group of concerned denizens nearby heard the distress call and rushed out to help comfort and assist the trapped boys.