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All Locations > New Mexico > Albuquerque Area > Sandia Mountains > La Cueva Canyon… > Thumb > Northwest Ridge (5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b)
I believe this markup very closely follows Mike Hill's guide, page 163, 3rd edition. This photo replaces an earlier markup 2011 version that missed P2 and much of P3. Omitted is the P4 ring-piton variation (pin pulled out). There are many other ways to do the route but this is a very nice line.
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Wendy, just before starting to Simul the fourth class.
Northwest Ridge with La Luz switchbacks visible, approach marked
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Bill Lawry
Aug 8, 2011
“I believe this markup very closely follows Mike Hill's guide, page 163, 3rd edition. This photo replaces an earlier markup 2011 version that missed P2 and much of P3. Omitted is the P4 ring-piton variation (pin pulled out). There are many other ways to do the route but this is a very nice line.”  

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I believe this markup very closely follows Mike Hill's guide, page 163, 3rd edition. This photo replaces an earlier markup 2011 version that missed P2 and much of P3. Omitted is the P4 ring-piton variation (pin pulled out). There are many other ways to do the route but this is a very nice line.
Northwest Ridge with La Luz switchbacks visible, approach marked
Start of Pitch 1. I led thru the obvious diagonal crack moving up and left.
The water pipes, visible just after getting off the La Luz trail at the end of the first switchback
Here's another view of the last 3/5ths of the 5th class section. Dotted lines indicate the actual route is hidden by features of the ridge. Bill Lawry's photo and comments describe this route well.
The start of P1 is up this small ramp and around the corner
The route's crux at the start of P3. I linked P1 and P2 with a 70m rope. We backed up the piton with a #4 wildcountry nut but I'd give it a B- placement spot at best.
View of the upper portion of the Thumb and the route. Yellow was our last pitch-and-a-half or so of pitched climbing. Blue we simuled. Red X is approximate location of rappel anchor.
Pretty sweet view from the top!
Rappelling down
Upper section of the ridge
Above the crux on pitch 3
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