All Locations > New Mexico > Albuquerque Area > Sandia Mountains > La Cueva Canyon, Upper

The Pulpit Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Pulpit

L › R R › L A › Z

	Cave Route, The T 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	Southeast Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b PG13
	Water Stains T 5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b

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Elevation:	9,000 ft
GPS:	35.2106, -106.4589 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	9,170 total · 44/month
Shared By:	Monomaniac on May 14, 2007 · Updates
Admins:	Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

The Pulpit is the lowest formation in "Upper La Cueva Canyon", and the first crag encountered when hiking up the La Luz Trail. Due to its distance from the Sandia Crest, this crag sees little action, and any ascent guarantees a long day.

This is a true spire that requires a rappel descent. One 60m rope is adequate if you don't mind a short, 2nd class scramble. Otherwise, one 35 meter rap from modern bolts gets you to the notch between the back side of The Pulpit and the rest of the Sandia Crest.

Getting There

Approach from above or below on the La Luz trail. Some approach from below in the early spring as the lower part of the La Luz clears of snow earlier than the part in Upper La Cueva Canyon.

Approaching from the Sandia Crest, hike down the La Luz trail. When the La Luz trail crosses to the north side of the Canyon, continue down for several hundred yards past the Frog. The trail will make a distinct turn to the north, at which point it traverses below the Lost Spectacle cliff. The next standalone cliff to the north is the Pulpit. For climbs on the west face, continue on the La Luz to a subtle saddle west and downhill of The Pulpit. However, the approach to the SE Ridge starts back in the last rocky gully you passed which comes down from the back side (east side) of The Pulpit.

Approaching from below, hike up the La Luz while perhaps including steeper and less maintained sections of the “old” La Luz. Watch for occasional views of The Pulpit with its obvious “cave”. The trail will finally make your last upward traverse when about 150 feet downhill of The Pulpit. Shortly, reach the “subtle saddle” just before a turn eastward towards Lost Spectacle and the upper canyon.

Sandia Select indicates its a wash approaching from the top or bottom. This may be true in terms of time (if you account for relative driving times), but is likely untrue in terms of hiking effort.

Descent

Descent information [updated 2024 based on 2nd-hand info]:

From the summit, rapping east into the saddle behind The Pulpit is typically a 35m rap (2 ropes or 1 70m rope) followed by a hike / scramble initially heading north from the saddle. The rap anchor is 2-bolts.

A descent with just 1 shorter rope can be done by downclimbing north from the summit (i.e., to the left if one is facing towards the mentioned saddle) followed by 2 single-rope raps from trees.