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Sport climbing destination in Arizona for February

Original Post
ByungKyu Peter Song · · Toronto, ON · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 2

Hi,

I'll be visiting Arizona (fly to Phoenix) near the end of February next year.
I just started looking at different areas but if you can pick 2 sport climbing destinations (~3 days each?) for February in Arizona, where would it be?
(I'm mostly looking to climb around 5.10a~5.11b)
(it's still pretty far away but will be looking for climbing partners~ if you're interested, let me know~~)

Thank you,
Peter.

JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115

Will you have 4WD, or just a basic rental car? This will make a difference as to where you can go (Homestead, in particular)

ByungKyu Peter Song · · Toronto, ON · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 2

Hi Jon,

I'm not sure yet, other than the flight, nothing is set so...
I had a brief look, Homestead and Mt.Lemmon look great~!
but 4WD rental might be pretty expensive... any way of walking in the dirt road or do many people climb at Homestead? (where I can tag along as third or forth and split the gas)

JD Kendall · · Winslow, AZ · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 365

Jacks Canyon...
Don't need 4WD...generally others to climb with... over 200 great sport routes.

Carly Farr · · Denver, CO · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 25

Cochise Stronghold. It's a drive from Phoenix, but it is well worth it. Some areas of single pitch cragging and more multi-pitch climbs than you can throw a biner at (there's lot of trad but also some sport gems). I did Peacemaker last year and it was one of the best multi-pitches I've done!

Also, if you're by Phoenix, Queen Creek is a good sport area to check out.

Steven Groetken · · Durango, CO · Joined Sep 2012 · Points: 390

If you're looking for shear volume of sport routes close together, Mt Lemmon is probably your best bet. There's close to 1000 sport routes all accessed from the Catalina highway, most in the 10 and up grade. Good views, good weather, but in February you'd want to stay in the lower elevations (hairpin, Molino basin, windy point will be ok on a sunny day).

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241

Isolation Canyon is pretty sweet, close to Phoenix and has a guidebook available through the user "manuel rangel" here on the site who did a lot (the bulk?) of the development there. Tons of sport routes in a cool locale. Multi-pitch sport is available, and grades are distributed pretty well across the spectrum.

You could hit Iso and then mosey further on up the Hwy to Jacks, that would give you a nice trip, no 4wd necessary. Have fun!

Joe Kreidel · · San Antonio, TX · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 1,495

Mt. Lemmon would definitely be a good option for that time of year and grade range. There a ton of great 10's and 11's at areas like Windy Point, MIlagrosa, Sun Spots, etc. Finding partners shouldn't be too tough, either.

ByungKyu Peter Song · · Toronto, ON · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 2

Thanks for all the reponses~ will take a look at all the locations.

Already getting excited even though the trip is 2 1/2 months away...

Catherine Conner · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 230

The Refuge.

ByungKyu Peter Song · · Toronto, ON · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 2

For Mt. Lemmon, is there "climbers' campground" that I should go to if I wanted to find partners there~?

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241
Peter Song wrote:For Mt. Lemmon, is there "climbers' campground" that I should go to if I wanted to find partners there~?
Nope.

Jacks Canyon is much closer to that, but AZ climbing areas don't really work that way. You'd be better served hooking up partners in advance. You could try squeezing in with parties, of course, I just personally never saw too much evidence of a Yosemite-like partner swap going down near the crags.

I camped up on Lemmon once, it was pay camping, so you'd best look for free camping too. If you pay for camping in AZ, you lost, there is so much cool, free camping there, that is the only time I ever paid for it in three years living there.
JD Kendall · · Winslow, AZ · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 365

Shoot me a message when you firm up dates... if you want to come to Jacks I am generally up for the 20 min drive there from my house as long as it fits my work schedule.

eMurdock · · Tucson, Arizona · Joined May 2004 · Points: 425

There is a lot of free camping on Lemmon, but it is mostly higher than than Windy Point (~7,000') and will be chilly. If you don't mind cold nights, there are several really great spots.
The best place to hook up with climbers for Mt. Lemmon is LeBuzz between 8 and 930am. You should have no problem finding someone that way or through MP. You could also just head up Milagrosa or to Prison Camp on a weekend... I wouldn't worry about finding partners or free camping if you opt to climb at Lemmon.

ByungKyu Peter Song · · Toronto, ON · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 2

Thanks for all the info~
so many places, not enough time~...

free camping sounds good~ will have to bring my camping gear down there.

Yep, will definitely msg. (I'll probably post another message here looking for partners near the end of Jan)

kirra · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 530

sometimes the journey is as good (or better) than the destination :)

may I suggest to R/T through Sedona / Tucson loop. Starting point could be persuaded by Feb. weather. Sedona can be a very nice place 2visit/climb or take a restday overnight -head north to Flagstaff or east 2 Jack's Cyn or south through Phx then East to Mt.Lemmon, Cochise or the Homestead & Q.Creek area's etc.

free camp on S.side Sedona -outside town

watch for snakes on warm sunny days, great trip have fun!

ByungKyu Peter Song · · Toronto, ON · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 2

Thanks for the suggestion kirra~

I'm indeed thinking of something similiar. (a loop going to some combination of Jacks Canyon, Homestead, Q.Creek, Mt.Lemmon)

. · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 30

Shoot me a message when you get into town. I'm always up for climbing on The Lemmon

Joe Cayer · · Mesa, Az · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 360

Peter,
When in Feb. are you planning your trip and what kind of schedule will you have? I'm planning an ice climbing trip around the 15th, but will be back in town the following week. I live about 30 minutes from Queen Creek and have a sporadic schedule. May be able to hook up with you if you're looking for a partner. Also, if you want check out meetup.com/Southwest-Climbi…. You may be able to hook up with some other locals.

Joe
azrockdawg@msn.com

ByungKyu Peter Song · · Toronto, ON · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 2

JacksonBain: Yep, will do in Feb~

Joe Cayer: I'll be there on the week of Feb.18th. No schedule yet, have 7 days available to climb~ Thanks for the link. I'll contact you in Feb as well~

JoshP · · Cleveland, OH · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 15

Hey Peter,
I'm thinking about planning a trip to Arizona in February as well. I don't have a partner going with me and I'm looking to sport climb as well. Sounds like we have a similar situation. Are you planning on camping or staying in hostels?

-Josh

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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