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best AZ climbing areas? Advice, please

Original Post
richard aiken · · El Chorro Spain · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 20

for a road trip, which are the best climbing areas in AZ ?

I'd like just the places which are as good as Red Rock or Jtree, if there are any. Good rock (no choss, safe approaches, good weather in Feb and March.

Sport or trad, no bouldering.

I'm looking for up to 5.10s, not harder and prefer 1-3 pitches, not longer.

thanks!

RyanWBaker · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 0

waterfall area, oak creek canyon outside sedona. basalt cracks, over 115 routes 5.10-5.12, weather is perfect there now.

Joe Cayer · · Mesa, Az · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 360

Richard, Depending on the area of Az, there's a lot here to choose from.
Phoenix and north area...
mountainproject.com/v/queen…
mountainproject.com/v/homes…
mountainproject.com/v/mcdow…
mountainproject.com/v/isola…
mountainproject.com/v/jacks…

Tucson and south...
mountainproject.com/v/mount…
mountainproject.com/v/cochi…

Just suggestions of some of my favorite areas...

K-Tanz · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 211

Gorgeous multipitch domes (mostly trad but a few sport multipitch) can be found at the Cochise Stronghold. Lots in that grade range. mountainproject.com/v/cochi… . It has been featured in more than a few magazine articles. Kinda like J-Tree but minus the crowds and with a higher concentration of longer routes. The Kerry Guide is up online.

Isolation canyon is a gem for single pitch trad and sport with lots at the grade you want. Mt. Lemmon is probably the best option if you want a mix of sport and trad single and multi pitch. The bottom of the mountain (milagrosa)has awesome T shirt temps right now and if you want some long stuff you can throw on a jacket and do that too. Literally thousands of routes to be found and the guide can be bought in Tucson or Phoenix.

Kevin D · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 160

Granite mountain near prescott

The ovelook near flag has awesome single pitch moderate trad

richard aiken · · El Chorro Spain · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 20

thanks, everyone, for the good info
Richard

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241

K-Tanz is on the money. Isolation Canyon will satisfy trad/sport yens in a supremely Arizona locale and has multi pitch to boot. Cochise is known as J Tree for adults. Jacks Canyon will satisfy limestone clipping needs and has a very chill camping situation.

Eric D · · Gnarnia · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 235

Waterfall may not be good if you are climbing "up to 5.10." There is one 5.9, a handful of 10s, and up from there. Paradise forks is much better for that level of climbing.

NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

Lots of good suggestions. I think that Iso is a great place for those looking for 5.10 and below. There is a bunch of stuff to do in that range, and although not as big as RR or Jtree, the setting is amazing.

RyanJames · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 505

Cochise is definitely where it's at! Imagine Joshua Tree, but higher quality, larger routes, fewer people, and the best: SLAB! (JK, the chickenheads are way better!)

NC Rock Climber · · The Oven, AKA Phoenix · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 60

The op wanted climbs less than 3 pitches. That rules out a lot of stuff at Cochise.

CJ K · · Northern, NM · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 280

I'm surprised more of you didn't suggest Jack's Canyon... Some of highest quality rock in the state aside from Cochise and Lemmon. Solid limestone with plenty of protection to push your limits on the harder stuff. Enjoy your trip!

pkeds · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 30

paradise forks. 'nuff said

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,241

Yeah, kinda shied away from suggesting the Flagstaff/Sedona area because they get a bit of winter there? Then again, Cochise can be cold as balls too. Where I'd want to hit is the stuff in the Sedona book, the secret cragging around Flag, and Winslow wall. There are many more crags too, secret and not.

richard aiken · · El Chorro Spain · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 20

OK, a further question:

Which of those sites will be easy to find partners on weekdays, assuming I don't get any partners lined up ahead of time?

I hope to head out next week, if I either have partners or will likely find some

thanks again
Richard

wwwcochiseclimbing com · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 140

Please feel fee to post on the Southern Arizona Climbers Coalition Facebook page that you are looking for partners. Also, the meet up group. We never plan that far in advance but most likely we will be in the Stronghold. Some of the best routes are around 6 pitches though you could do some sport climbing at Zappa or Lebowski wall. I posted the topo for Zappa at cochiseclimbing.com and finally got to climb Beeline, 5.9 fingers. Highly recommended and not effected by the peregrine falcon closure at the higher domes. Email us if you want more information.

Luke Bertelsen · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Feb 2005 · Points: 4,867
Colonel Mustard wrote:Cochise is known as J Tree for adults.
Cochise is known as J-tree, but 1000 times better.
richard aiken · · El Chorro Spain · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 20

is it easy to find partners at Cochise on weekdays?
thanks

Manny Rangel · · PAYSON · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 4,788

If you went during Beanfest it would be no problem to find a partner. Otherwise, it would be hit or miss if you found anybody at a campground. Only one pay campground on the east side; many unpaid on the west side.

wwwcochiseclimbing com · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 140

I think you would have a hard time finding people just "out there". Most people plan their weekend trips and there is not a real campground like other climbing areas where you can walk around and meet other climbers. We have been out there every week end for the past 2 months and have hardly ran into anyone-especially without a partner. What are your dates? The Beanfest is April11

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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