Winter long climbing trip. Where to go?

A buddy and I have purchased a van and we'll be setting off for the dirtbag life for the winter. We're spending a month in NC/TN/AR on our way west to the desert, where we'll spend the majority of the winter. J-Tree, Red Rocks, The Creek/Moab, and Cochise are already on the list.

If you had your choice, and you were going on a the road for a while, where else would you make a point to stop? I'm talking in the southern NM/AZ/CA/NV area specifically, since that's where we'll already be.

Spray some beta for a brother....

Hueco Tanks

Bumpity bump. Help please!

Bumpity bump. Help please!

+1 for Hueco as you'll be driving by and a nice stop over on your way to Cochise. Do not skip out on other SoAZ destinations such as Lemmon and maybe even the Mustang which is closer to Cochise but on the way to Tucson. Limestone cragging, full sun and fun enough for a day (also camping which may be easier than on Lemmon).

From Lemmon cut up the back way toward Queen Creek which will yield you good results at the Homestead and maybe even Tamo if you know your way. QC has tons of new stuff and old classics alike - great camping too.

Prescott, Sedona and some climbing in Flag all getting sun if that's what you're chasing. Or just push on to Vegas or JTree from there. Joshua Tree and surrounding areas will keep you busy for awhile.

Winter long trip, nice! Safe travels to you and your partner!!

Bishop is rad! It'll be really cold, but the hot springs and amazing climbing make up for it.

You could go way south down to Potrero chico in mexico, i heard that place is pretty sick

I'm in the same boat as you. Me and my girlfriend are taking the winter off to climb everywhere we can starting on the 17th. We are going to Smith Rock first and then following the weather south. Ideally we will go to Joes Valley,Moes Valley/St George, Moab, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Bishop, Yosemite, Red Rocks, Joshua Tree, Hueco Tanks, Mt Whitney and any other places that strike our fancy while we are out. Any beta for any of these places wuld be awesome. We will have a little teardrop and camping gear. When I get off work tonight I'll try and remember to post the Google map I made for the trip.

in my experience its much better to come to a place (especially if it is a huge destination type area like hueco tanks or Jtree etc) and spend a large amount of time there. It always takes a good bit of time to adjust to the area's climbing style anyway in order to send at your hardest...1 month is really too little time to spend at one area...2-3 months is much better.

It imprints deeper on your soul this way also.

Is that Matt Jones that took some huge whippers on that random guy at Lincoln lake?

You can't go wrong with jtree/red rocks. (3 hours apart)
You've got awesome granite cracks at jtree and awesome multipitch in red rocks.

Is this Matt Jones that took some huge whippers on that random guy at Lincoln lake?

You can't go wrong with jtree/red rocks. (3 hours apart)
You've got awesome granite cracks at jtree and awesome multipitch in red rocks.

Is this Matt Jones that took some huge whippers on that random guy at Lincoln lake?

You can't go wrong with jtree/red rocks. (3 hours apart)
You've got awesome granite cracks at jtree and awesome multipitch in red rocks.

Unless you have reservations, Hueco will involve waiting at the gate daily or shelling out $20 daily for a private guide.

Yosemite in Winter? Good luck with that.

There are loads of bouldering/climbing areas in southern NM/AZ with free camping.

The van might have been a waste. If I had the entire winter off, I'd fly to EPC or Thailand and just stay.

Either would likely end up cheaper, even after airfare, and more fun than driving a van all over a bunch of areas that aren't quite warm enough to climb.

David Sahalie wrote:Unless you have reservations, Hueco will involve waiting at the gate daily or shelling out $20 daily for a private guide. Yosemite in Winter? Good luck with that. There are loads of bouldering/climbing areas in southern NM/AZ with free camping.

Be sure to hit Mt. Lemmon and Hueco Tanks then head for Potrero Chico. Long bolted routes up to 23 pitches, free or cheap camping, cheap food and beer, great International scene. Also, on your way to or from you should check out Enchanted Rock--it's a real gem.

magicedspotrerochico.com