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Phoenix area bouldering

Original Post
Evan Piche · · CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 0

Hey Internet! I'm going to be in Phoenix this December for grad school interviews. I won't have a ton of time (2 afternoons) but I was hoping to maybe squeeze in an afternoon/evening climbing session. Any recommendations for bouldering w/in a reasonable driving distance? I am also interested finding good burrito options, considering I may be living there for 4+ years, so advice on both is welcomed.

Evan-

drewp · · Vegas · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 1,616

South Mountain is cool. But you have to hike in 45 minutes (nice hike though)
Beardsley Boulders is no hike, but you have to drive to north scottsdale, which takes about 45 min if you're driving from Tempe.

I like south mountain better. There are marty's maps ($5 fold out mini-guides) for both areas available at the local REI.

BenClimbing · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 245

The afternoon thing will make it tough to get in a good sesh anywhere around Phoenix as most of the boulders are about an hour between driving and approach and it is getting dark by about 5:30pm. South Mountain would work if you didn't get too lost on the hike in. Oak Flats has better bouldering that is easier to get to but you may have a hard time finding the good stuff without help(there are no good guide books). The Supes have the best bouldering but you will never find any of it alone. What you need is someone that will take you out and show you around. I wouldn't recommend Beardsley, ever, unless you are super-desperate and not easily disappointed.

Evan Piche · · CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 0

Thanks!

Tradster · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 0

I have old maps from Phoenix Bouldering Contest. I'd be willing to share this data. If someone would like to make copies, this data is from the late 1980s or early 90s just before the contest ended. There are probably over 2000 boulder problems indicated in this data.

Ryan Myers · · Tempe, AZ · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 2,736

Tradster, I would love copies of the pbc maps. How should we go about that? Lemme know thx

Tradster · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 0
Ryan Myers wrote:Tradster, I would love copies of the pbc maps. How should we go about that? Lemme know thx
Ryan, please email me and we can work out a time to meet. I live in north central Phoenix.
Andrew Poet · · Central AZ · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 161

Bump... Does anyone have copies of PBC maps?

mcarizona · · Flag · Joined Feb 2007 · Points: 180

Hey!  I used to go to those bouldering contests!  So much fun.  Maybe someone could make a PHX Bouldering Contest page with your data Tradster.  I'm not sure how much the mine folk have consumed from those areas.

Steve

BenClimbing · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 245

I think I stumbled across a few years worth of those comp maps recently, myself...Keep in mind  that a great deal of the comp problems were contrivances that were marked by chalk on the boulders themselves with  judges at each area that made sure you didn't use anything "off-route". For the most part, those details aren't included in the comp guides. Also, the comp guides don't do a good job of telling you how to get to separate areas, as the comp had a lot of signage to help people navigate the maze of oak flats.

Ryan Myers · · Tempe, AZ · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 2,736

I am mostly interested in preserving the printed material in my library of other cool unique climbing stuff. If anyone has stuff they wouldnt mind parting with please message me. Itll go next to my 1st edition Marty Maps and rare guidebooks. Thanks

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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