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Pena Blanca Climbing
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| Elevation: | 4,668 ft |
| GPS: |
32.2239, -106.5979 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 106,288 total · 481/month |
| Shared By: | Aaron Hobson on Feb 28, 2006 · Updates |
| Admins: | Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown |
Description
In the shadow of Hueco Tanks lies this lesser known and lesser quality area. Pena Blanca is a sprawling rock playground on the southern foot of the Organ mountains. There are scores of established boulder problems and potential for more. Much of the rock is of poor quality which keeps the area relatively free from the crowds seen at Hueco.
A few climbing resources exist but nothing has been published. Visit huecotanks.com/BCDetail.htm for more descriptions of the area. Also check out another developing e-guide at vcrux.com/penablanca.aspx (see comment by Lowell below).
There are a handful of short sport and trad routes, as well as top-rope problems that merit a visit. But what Pena Blanca has most of is bouldering, and it is through bouldering that this area will get known.
The area is currently designated as Wilderness Study Area by the BLM which restricts off-roading activities. Petroglyphs are found here and if you find some refrain from climbing near them.
A few climbing resources exist but nothing has been published. Visit huecotanks.com/BCDetail.htm for more descriptions of the area. Also check out another developing e-guide at vcrux.com/penablanca.aspx (see comment by Lowell below).
There are a handful of short sport and trad routes, as well as top-rope problems that merit a visit. But what Pena Blanca has most of is bouldering, and it is through bouldering that this area will get known.
The area is currently designated as Wilderness Study Area by the BLM which restricts off-roading activities. Petroglyphs are found here and if you find some refrain from climbing near them.
Getting There
When driving between Las Cruces and El Paso on I-10, Pena Blanca is clearly visible to the east. Take the Mesquite exit and head east. The paved road takes you by a landfill and liquid waste site, then turns to a dirt road. When you are approximately due southwest of the rocks there are roads that lead to the different climbing spots, though they have been blocked (as of 2020) to vehicular traffic. Now, the closest walking option for most/all areas is probably the cul-du-sac lot about a mile past the old access road (32.218980, -106.596241).
Resources
There is a collection of rough maps with names/difficulties of routes and problems at Pena Blanca. Contact Aaron Hobson (or see the above link and browse)to get them sent to you. They are by no means complete, and only give the user an idea of the large amount of climbing that occurs here.
Classic Climbing Routes at Pena Blanca
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
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Guidebooks (6)
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