Sandia Wilderness to reopen on 7/16/2013

Well, another source now says Wednesday because the order hasn't been signed just yet. But it sounds promising for the weekend climbing nonetheless.

Keep an eye on nmfireinfo.com/ for information

Never believe re-opening rumors until you see the official posting.
There's speculation all over. Let's just hope it's this week.

Thanks for the link, Bill. The info I had heard was a bit more than rumor but not by much. Glad to hear things around here are wetter and reopening. We can now start making plans for the weekend!

Seems you have a good source, Jason. I decided to check Cibola's page only after seeing your post about the word on the street. Timing was good.

What's really odd is I checked the USFS website and that lift wasn't posted yet. awesome to see it finally!

I suspect the USFS really agonizes over these things. And I wonder if there was an added twist for them in that the city made an earlier decision to open adjacent ABQ open spaces.

Took a celebratory hike / scramble yesterday evening low in the Sandia foothills. Lots of evidence of running water and dirt/grit stuck high on vertical faces of rock. Akin to climbing cracks at White rock last Sunday where forearms became fully coated with dirt during one lead.

Bill how was the weather in white rock (heat wise)? I have a sinus surgery coming up and want to go out there the weekend after but I was thinking it may be still to hot. I was thinking of going to the Y or potrillo, maybe the overlook.

Hey Ian, Bill can give you his opinion but I'll throw mine in too. I would suggest avoiding Potrillo and the Y because both areas face mostly south and bake in the summer time. The more easterly-facing walls like the main area of Overlook, Old New Place, Below the Old New Place and the east side of Big Enchilada go into the shade around 1:30pm and are reasonable climbing in the afternoon/evening.
A couple weeks ago it was pretty miserable even on the shaded White Rock walls but since it's been clouding up and raining more regularly, it's been more fun in White Rock.

Jason, Thanks for weighing in. I was hoping you (or someone more familiar) would.

By the way, there was a lot of dirt on the rock last Sunday that had recently washed down from above. Do you have a feel for how long it takes for that stuff to really dry out and slough off? All of us at one point were fully covered in dislodged dirt from elbows to finger tips!

Ian, I really can't add more. While we had a good time last Sunday at the Overlook, I wouldn't go early like we did. I'd aim to arrive there in the early afternoon and plan to climb into the evening pretty much as Jason said.

Thanks for the response Jason and Bill maybe I will hold off on that till the end of august. This weekend I plan to go do some easy stuff in the sandias. I bet a lot of people will be out and about in the sandias this weekend so I plan for a early start.

All, are you talking about the Sandias being covered in dirt/mud or the white rocks area? I'm headed up into the Sandias tomorrow, any walls you would suggest I avoid due to dirt/moisture?
Thanks
Drew

I belive all the talk about dirt has been in whiterock. As for the sandias I don't know I plan to go up there saturday and maybe some bouldering during next week so hopefully they are good. If you go tomorrow be carefull looks like we are going to get some rain.

In general, whether White Rock or Sandias or whatever, the dirt-status is going to be crag/wall specific. If there's a lot of loose dirt on top that tends to get washed over the cliff - there'll be dirt on the wall. If not then it'll probably be pretty clean once off the deck.

I suspect the White Rock in general has the right conditions for dirt after a rain.

on the topic of the sandias, Does anyone have the new sandia rock book for 2013? I just ordered it but looks like it will take 3 weeks to get. How is it?

I haven't seen any of the older ones, but I find it to be a good supplement to MP. Been told the approach descriptions are better than previous, will find out today if this is true, headed to a new spot so relying on the book and MP to get me there.

ian watson wrote:on the topic of the sandias, Does anyone have the new sandia rock book for 2013? I just ordered it but looks like it will take 3 weeks to get. How is it?

George Perkins wrote:The new "Sandia Rock" book is the best resource for climbing in the Sandias. It's similar to the old version, but has 50% more climbs and some updates.

abqdrew wrote:I haven't seen any of the older ones, but I find it to be a good supplement to MP. Been told the approach descriptions are better than previous, will find out today if this is true, headed to a new spot so relying on the book and MP to get me there.

LeeAB wrote: Stone Age has a ton of copies.