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Arizona
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Arizona


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Administrators: Greg Opland, James DeRoussel, Jeremy J Schlick
Latitude: 34.3797  Longitude: -112.061 Aerial photo/map
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Discussions in the Arizona & New Mexico Forum
Another Arizona sunset.
Photo by Blitzo.



Welcome to Arizona! 

Arizona is purported to have more exposed rock than any other state in the US. The bad news is that it isn't ALL climbable. The good news is that a BUNCH of it is great for pulling on! Granite, dacite, basalt, limestone, gneiss, monzonite, welded tuff, and a thousand other kinds of the hard stuff.

From the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Paradise Forks in the north, to the crags of Granite Mountain, the Superstitions, and Queen Creek, and finally south to Mount Lemmon and Cochise Stronghold, we have it all! Cracks of all sizes, wide, thin, edges, pockets, jugs, sport, trad, bouldering, big walls, no approach, big hike...whatever you're psyched about! The one thing we're a little short on in most areas is crowds, but that's a good thing.

We also have the best year 'round climbing possibilities in the country with crags at just about every elevation imaginable. Between that and the large percentage of sunny days, there ain't a whole lot more you could ask for!


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Arizona:
What's My Line?   5.6 A0 R     Trad, Aid, 3 pitches, 400 feet   Cochise Stronghold : Cochise Dome (What's My Lin...
Ewephoria   5.7     Trad, Sport, 5 pitches, 750 feet   Sheepshead Area (Southwest) : The Sheepshead
Moby Dick   5.8     Trad, 6 pitches, 700 feet, Grade II   Cochise Stronghold : Whale Dome
Mars Attacks   5.8     Trad, 4 pitches, Grade II   Dry Creek Road Area : The Fin
Agatha Christie (Direct)   5.8     Trad, TR, 1 pitch, 90 feet   Windy Point West : North Fin
The Wasteland   5.8     Trad, 6 pitches, 600 feet   Cochise Stronghold : The Wasteland
Bee Line   5.9 R     Trad, 3 pitches, 280 feet   Cochise Stronghold : Stronghold Dome
Sedona's Scenic Cruise aka Four Flying Apaches   5.9     Trad, 5 pitches, 700 feet, Grade III   Sedona : Gibraltar Rock
Dr. Rubo's Wild Ride   5.9     Trad, 4 pitches, 300 feet, Grade III   Coffeepot Rock Area : Summit Block Rock
Original Route   5.9+     Trad, 5 pitches, 400 feet, Grade III   Cathedral Rock Area : The Mace
Absinthe of Mallet   5.9+     Trad, 7 pitches, Grade III   Sheepshead Area (Southwest) : The Sheepshead
Endgame   5.10a     Trad, 5 pitches, 600 feet   Rockfellow Group : End Pinnacle
The Peacemaker   5.10a     Sport, 7 pitches, Grade III   Sheepshead Area (Southwest) : The Sheepshead
Mr. Slate   5.10b     Sport, 60 feet   Le Petit Verdon (aka The Pi... : Swiss Tower
Days of Future Passed   5.10b PG13     Trad, 4 pitches, 400 feet, Grade III   Rockfellow Group : End Pinnacle
Warpaint   5.10c PG13     Trad, Sport, 5 pitches, 680 feet, Grade III   Cochise Stronghold : Westworld Dome
The Prow   5.11a     Trad, 1 pitch   Paradise Forks : The Prow
Steve's Arete   5.11a     Sport, 1 pitch, 40 feet   Windy Point East : Hunchback Pinnacle
Abracadaver   5.11a     Trad, 6 pitches, 500 feet, Grade III   Rockfellow Group : Rockfellow Dome
Hard Day at The Orifice   5.12b     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Summit Crags : The Fortress
Browse More Classics in Arizona


Featured Route For Arizona
coming down after a burn

Mentor 5.12b  AZ : Virgin River Gorge : Mentor Cave
Super classic! If you can stand the road noise and the guys breaking into your car, this is the route you want to be doing while you are here. Climbs out the Mentor cave (just right of the Blasphemy wall) on great pockets, edges, sidepulls... the whole kitchen sink. Very Steep!Somewhere toward the middle you even get a leg thread to cop a rest. Once you pull out of the cave onto the headwall, you lose sight of your belayer - and the road noise...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ


Photos of Arizona Slideshow Add Photo
Ajo Mountains, AZ. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Ajo Mountains, AZ.
Photo by Blitzo.


always a bit gripped at the practice cliff.

always a bit gripped at the practice cliff.

On your hottest day, I'll be kicking clients in the face with my crampons! <br />Have a great summer, <br /> <br />Jeff <br />

On your hottest day, I'll be kicking clients in th...

Agathalon. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Agathalon.
Photo by Blitzo.


Spider Rock. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Spider Rock.
Photo by Blitzo.


Sonoran Desert. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Sonoran Desert.
Photo by Blitzo.


Arizona sunset. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Arizona sunset.
Photo by Blitzo.


Monument Valley. This may be in Utah. It's right on the border. Photo by Blitzo.

Monument Valley. This may be in Utah. It's right o...

Canyon De Chelly. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Canyon De Chelly.
Photo by Blitzo.


Ocotillo. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Ocotillo.
Photo by Blitzo.


Klondyke wall in southern az is big and adventurous.

Klondyke wall in southern az is big and adventurou...

Arizona is blessed with tons of rock.  Anyone ever climb this 300' spire located in southern AZ?

Arizona is blessed with tons of rock. Anyone ever...

Pina Blanca Lake Close to Mexico

Pina Blanca Lake Close to Mexico

On the border of Mexico but the mountains are in Arizona.

On the border of Mexico but the mountains are in A...

This rock not far from Nogalas Arizona.

This rock not far from Nogalas Arizona.

Catalina Mountains Tucson AZ

Catalina Mountains Tucson AZ

Road up Mt Lemmon just before windy point.

Road up Mt Lemmon just before windy point.

Natural bridge on Mt Lemmon.

Natural bridge on Mt Lemmon.

Manzanita tree.

Manzanita tree.

It Stormed all day but what a Sunrise <br />The Homestead

It Stormed all day but what a Sunrise
The Homestea...


Saguaro in bloom-AZ state flower. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Saguaro in bloom-AZ state flower.
Photo by Blitzo.


Saguaro mutation-Saguaro National Monument. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Saguaro mutation-Saguaro National Monument.
Photo ...


Ocelots. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Ocelots.
Photo by Blitzo.


Saguaro along the Mt Lemmon Highway.

Saguaro along the Mt Lemmon Highway.

My best memory of Flagstaff is on the rail guard.

My best memory of Flagstaff is on the rail guard.

OK, this was worth getting up at 5:30 a.m. for.  AZ sunrise - December 2007.

OK, this was worth getting up at 5:30 a.m. for. A...

The west slopes of Mt Humphreys, highest point in Arizona. March 2008

The west slopes of Mt Humphreys, highest point in ...

Storm clouds and sunshine over Tucson.

Storm clouds and sunshine over Tucson.

Rainbow over the Catalinas

Rainbow over the Catalinas

stormy sunset, july 3, '08

stormy sunset, july 3, '08

Here we see the "virga" rainfall common in Arizona and other southwestern areas.  Cause you know, when it rains, it pours (but evaporates a few hundred feet above your head, damn!). <br /> <br />Somewhere near Camp Verde -- May 2008 <br />

Here we see the "virga" rainfall common in Arizona...

Matterhorn - June 2008

Matterhorn - June 2008

Wade Anderson making his way up a tottering ridge in the Picacho Mts.

Wade Anderson making his way up a tottering ridge ...

limestone rock near Mount Hopkins, AZ

BETA PHOTO: limestone rock near Mount Hopkins, AZ

Bouldering in the Superstitions.

Bouldering in the Superstitions.

The stunning Totem Pole, Mounument Valley, photo: Bob Horan

The stunning Totem Pole, Mounument Valley, photo: ...

BH bouldering in Monument Valley, Arizona

BH bouldering in Monument Valley, Arizona

Monument Valley, Arizona, photo: Bob Horan

Monument Valley, Arizona, photo: Bob Horan

Chemically weathered sandstone in Northern Arizona

Chemically weathered sandstone in Northern Arizona

Side-blotched lizard, Northern Arizona

Side-blotched lizard, Northern Arizona

Cicada, seen in Northern Arizona

Cicada, seen in Northern Arizona

Hedgehog cactus, near Sedona

Hedgehog cactus, near Sedona

Cliff Rose, Northern Arizona

Cliff Rose, Northern Arizona

Unhappy guy with 36-stich zipper in his leg. But, he's alive and going to be okay. Hang in there Marty!

Unhappy guy with 36-stich zipper in his leg. But, ...

High Desert Beauty- Arizona

High Desert Beauty- Arizona

I think this was Petroglyph National Monument, between Sedona and Pheonix.  March 09.

I think this was Petroglyph National Monument, bet...

Butterflies in Pheonix, March 09.

Butterflies in Pheonix, March 09.

Blooming (Barrel?) Cactus, March 09.

Blooming (Barrel?) Cactus, March 09.

Questionable rap anchor coming off  Entrance Dome in the Stronghold.

Questionable rap anchor coming off Entrance Dome ...

Mother Saguaro

Mother Saguaro

Near Rap Rock 3/11/2010. Really.

Near Rap Rock 3/11/2010. Really.

Ultimate Boulder, Little Rincons.

Ultimate Boulder, Little Rincons.

Josie Becker testing newly reinforced holds on Storming the Castle.  Photo by Brian Kristofitz.

Josie Becker testing newly reinforced holds on Sto...

FU rock. Tell me this doesn't need a route up the middle finger!

FU rock. Tell me this doesn't need a route up the ...

Nimbus Old Monkey Shine.

Nimbus Old Monkey Shine.

Dirty Guera. Great label, but only 3.2 ABV. <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Dirty Guera. Great label, but only 3.2 ABV.
Photo ...


Nimbus Red Ale. From Tucson.  <br />Photo by Blitzo.

Nimbus Red Ale. From Tucson.
Photo by Blitzo.


crimping the steep stuff.....

crimping the steep stuff.....

Monsoon.

Monsoon.

Respect thy lieback.

Respect thy lieback.

Desert Monsoon Bloom

Desert Monsoon Bloom

Photo by: Caleb A.

Photo by: Caleb A.

Peace of Mind...

Peace of Mind...

Somewhere near Phoenix, not sure where this was, 2005.

Somewhere near Phoenix, not sure where this was, 2...


Comments on Arizona Add Comment
Show which comments
Comments displayed oldest to newestSkip Ahead to the Most Recent Dated Apr 22, 2010
By Anthony Stout
Administrator
From: Albuquerque, NM
May 10, 2008

It appears that the GPS coordinate for Winslow Wall need to be deleted or re-done. It puts the area up beyond the North Pole and distorts the entire Arizona map!

By JellieBean
From: Lakewood
May 29, 2008

I was driving from Phoenix to Tucson and saw some beautiful rock in the Picacho area. Or at least I think that's where it was. Is this area developed. Does it have a different name? What's the scoop?

By kirra
Jun 2, 2008

Hey Jellie, the large formation on your right is the Picacho Peak State Park, a protected area with camping, hiking and a scramble with steel-cables to the summit

Picacho Peak will be closed from July 1 to Oct 2008 for construction of a new visitor center. A plethora of pics & historical beta is available online by googling. Best time is cooler temps Nov-March

By manuel rangel
From: tempe, az
Jul 10, 2008

Across from Picacho is a climbing area known as Newman Pk; it has some big rock. It is also an adventurous climbing area, rickd has some info on this site.

By Ken Isaacson
Mar 21, 2009

Arizona is a nice place to climb, but a serious climber really needs to go to Hueco, Yosemite, or J-Tree.

By Pete Hickman
From: Phoenix, az
Mar 25, 2009

That's absolutely preposterous!

By manuel rangel
From: tempe, az
Mar 28, 2009

Not true, serious climbers must leave arizona now!

By Shiloh
From: Mesa AZ
Mar 30, 2009

word...except those older guys from Colorado that we met that were working on routes in the Upper Devils Canyon area...Any 70 year old woman that can climb 5.10 is alright by me - come on back!

By Ken Isaacson
Aug 27, 2009

Climbing at Seneca Falls on the San Carlos Apache is usually an unknown. I called San Carlos about camping reservations on 8/27/2009 and asked about a climbing permit. The reply was a short and rude "No." So if anyone else who has climbed there in the past is curious about Seneca Falls, don't get your hopes up.

By jbaker
From: Tucson, AZ
Oct 26, 2009

You can download Vince Bates' guide to The Dry by going to this page, find the link, right click and "Save target as"...http://members.cox.net/johnnlindabaker/index.shtml

By Kris Graff
Mar 30, 2010

I just moved to Phoenix a month ago. I'm from WA but have lived on the road for the last 10 years. I have all my gear here and am looking for people to climb with. I work nights from Sun to Thurs and have most weekends off. I would like to climb locally to get my endurance back but will travel to climb. I have friends in Vegas that I stay at when climbing there. Any trip would be good.

Chris

509-230-2690

By elena j
Apr 22, 2010

If anyone is heading to the homestead and finds a pair of sunglasses at bonetown PLEASE let me know! Thanks guys