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Las Vegas, New Mexico Climbing Scene

Original Post
Jake Gluck · · AZ · Joined Dec 2014 · Points: 119

I've been considering going to New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico to study forestry and want to know what the climbing scene is like. I currently climb 5.10 on lead and have just begun learning trad. I'll also boulder once in awhile.
Mainly I want to know how far to the local crags it is from Las Vegas, NM. Is there more climbing in the immediate area than whats listed here on Mountain Project? Can you climb all year round? I'm currently live in Texas and drive anywhere from 3-7 hours for good climbing and I'm hoping to live closer to good climbing.
Thanks,
Jake

Owen S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 3,363

My guidebook to NM bouldering, which includes 300 problems in Roy, will be out by Feb next year, so that will help you out a lot! Theres sport climbing in Roy also.

El Duderino · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 70
Owen S wrote: My guidebook to NM bouldering, which includes 300 problems in Roy, will be out by Feb next year, so that will help you out a lot! Theres sport climbing in Roy also.

Hey, any update on this?  I have an interview for a job in Las Vegas and was disheartened to see how little is listed on MP...

Owen S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 3,363

Guidebook is now out of print. You can get an app version from Vertical Life.

El Duderino · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 70
Owen S wrote: Guidebook is now out of print. You can get an app version from Vertical Life.

Got it.  Thanks for the update.  Any further development in the area that you're aware of?

Logan Peterson · · Santa Fe, NM · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 186

I haven't looked at the guide Owen is referencing, but here's what I know: There's plenty of multi-pitch granite on/around Hermit Peak/El Porvenir--definitely not sport climbing. Probably several routes that haven't been repeated or posted. The Pit offers tough limestone bouldering in an absolutely disgusting setting (we encountered loads of trash and a dead dog; another party found a dead human). The Dakota Sandstone forms several smaller cliffs and a whole lot of boulders in the vicinity of Las Vegas, NM. Most of this hasn't been bolted or even climbed. It's beautiful rock--the same formation folks climb on in Roy. The challenge is that most of the rock around LV that would lend itself to sport or bouldering is on private land. Las Vegas itself is a very bizarre, insular town. I like it, but it won't be the easiest place to find a climbing community. Now, if someone was looking for a place to develop routes and managed to make some local connections, LV could be a gold mine. Awesome landscape, tons of fascinating history, not a climbing hotspot. I'd suggest a preliminary scoping trip, but NM's hospitals are near capacity and there's a mandatory 14-day quarantine for out-of-state folks. Nothing personal; I'm sure you're a good dude. PM me if you have more questions.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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