The rock formations in Navajolands are some of the most unique and beautiful formations in the world. This is an area which is full of beauty, mystery, and discovery. It is a quiet peaceful area, yet one of excitement and thrills. It is one of the most awesome places on earth. Navajolands has Shiprock, which was North American's number one climbing objective back it the day. It has The Totem Pole, which is the tallest skinniest spire in the world. It has Spyder Rock, one of the tallest spires in North America (along with The Titan), and it has Cleopatra's Needle, the skinniest spire on the planet. These wonderful spires are a climber's dream, and there are countless other spires to challenge the mind and the skills of climbers. Unfortunately, there is presently a ban on all climbing on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Although only Shiprock and Spyder Rock are the only "official"sacred rocks , the Navajos have chosen , presently, to ban all climbing. These routes are only listed for historical purposes.
Getting There
Navajolands is located in the 4 corners area of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. It is over 25,000 square miles of land.
The Classics
Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Navajolands:
Eric's Desert Rock says that Spider Rock is 9 pitches , but it's been done in 6 pitches. Pitch 1; Thin groove (5.9) to a 5.8 squeeze leads to a traverse right (one bolt) and a 3 bolt anchor. Pitch 2; 5.10 hands and O W (on the right) lead to a 5.10 chimney and a squeeze. Pitch 3; a fixed pin and a fixed chock lead to another chimney (5.9) and the 3 bolts traversing left into a steep finger/hand section to a bel...[more]Browse More Classics in AZ
By John J. Glime From: Salt Lake City, UT May 22, 2007
For arguments sake, should this area be listed in the "International" section? Is it on U.S. land or not? I always thought not. Just curious.
By toddgordon From: Joshua Tree, California May 22, 2007
The Navajo Tribe have their own leaders, laws, rules, language, religion. We already have the Indian Gambling;...I'm waiting for the legalized marajuana and prostitution to REALLY make some Indian bucks and snub our whitebread vanilla-puddin' conservative rightist imperialist psuedo-christian over-weight, out-of -shape, McDonalds/prozac scarfing society. Damn that alcohol on the Res;....I enjoyed living on the Res for 3 years of my life, but damn that alcohol.
I thought I read recently that, despite the ban on climbing here, the way Navajo rules work is that as long as you get permission from the landowner, you can climb. What they don't appreciate is climbers just coming onto their land and recreating on it without saying hello, how are you, can I climb here. (Hence maybe why the ban occurred in the first place?)
I believe I read this in a dude's account of climbing Venus Needle in the last few years--after getting the landowner's permission to do so.
By toddgordon From: Joshua Tree, California May 25, 2007
Most Navajo have never heard of a rock climbing ban on the Reservation. If you go climbing outside of The Tribal Loop, Shiprock, and Spider Rock, you are just another soul out cruising around the Res.
By Anthony Stout Administrator From: Albuquerque, NM May 10, 2008
John J. Glime wrote:
For arguments sake, should this area be listed in the "International" section? Is it on U.S. land or not? I always thought not. Just curious.
Tribes are still part of the US and must abide by national law. However, they are not bound to the laws of the states they exist in.
Yaa'eh t'eeh (yah-ah-eh-teh-EH)Hello. My name is Quentin and I am full blooded Navajo or Dine. I've live in the Four Corners area (NM, AZ, UT & CO) most of my life and I have been actively climbing for 4 yrs now and to see it posted that the Navajo Nation does not allow climbing is really discouraging. I've been climbing here all my life and the only advice I can give to the outsiders is befriend a Navajo...like me! I've been seeking out alot of bouldering areas and some crack climbs around the Four Corners area now for the last 3 yrs. So, if you're interested at all, please feel free to contact me at qetutt@yahoo.com and I'll do my best to accommodate you in your adventure here on the reservation. For the most part, I usually just ask locals if it's ok to climb around and usually it's ok. You just gotta know the language. Peace.
By toddgordon From: Joshua Tree, California Apr 2, 2009
Quentin;.....great to read your post! Maybe after reading your message, climbers won't be so afraid of guys like you, and perhaps even contact you for some of the planets most awesome climbing adventures and opportunities....it's tough to find climbing partners out there..it's not Boulder Colorado or Los Angeles with thousands of climbers and rock gyms to boot. I'd be honored to rope up with you.....It's unfortunate about the legal restrictions, and the fears and funkiness that accompany these restrictions...makes it difficult for guys like you...Thanks for the invite, and rock on!
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