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Guidebook reccomendations for 4 corners area

Original Post
Ira OMC · · Hardwick, VT · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 273

Hello, westerners. I am flying out to the Albaquerque at the end of February for a week or two, meeting my girlfriend out there who is road tripping. We plan on driving into southern Colorado, Moab area, then to Vegas, doing some hiking in the area and the usual stuff. Not bringing trad gear as I don't want to be to weighed down to much but wondering which guidebooks are the best for northern NM, Durango area, southern utah, etc. This is not purely a climbing trip (sadly) but we'd like to get out a much as possible. Recommendations on areas and book much appreciated!
Thanks,
Ira

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

What style of climbing?

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Ira O'Meara wrote:Hello, westerners. I am flying out to the Albaquerque at the end of February for a week or two, meeting my girlfriend out there who is road tripping. We plan on driving into southern Colorado, Moab area, then to Vegas, doing some hiking in the area and the usual stuff. Not bringing trad gear as I don't want to be to weighed down to much but wondering which guidebooks are the best for northern NM, Durango area, southern utah, etc. This is not purely a climbing trip (sadly) but we'd like to get out a much as possible. Recommendations on areas and book much appreciated! Thanks, Ira
You sure about not bringing trad gear? A number of the areas you mention are almost exclusively trad. Not to say sport doesn't exist, but you will be limiting yourselves if you don't have trad gear.
Paul Davidson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 607

Marc is right on.
Sport and desert climbing are not totally exclusive but ....
Moab is a world class crack climbers dream.

Feb could be pretty cold and wet depending...

Ira OMC · · Hardwick, VT · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 273

Thanks, Gentlemen. I guess I am bringing trad gear now. Like I said though, this is not totally a climbing trip and we are mostly looking to go to some cool areas where camping and hiking and climbing are all good. I have climbed up in Moab a bit but we are looking to avoid the crowds. I am very intrigued by the San Raphael Swell in UT, El Rito area in NM. Hoping for good weather, but coming from VT, the weather is definately be better out there. If the sandstone is wet we can always go hiking.

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

Regarding El Rito - you may strike lucky with an unseasonal warm spell in late feb, but chances are el rito will be too cold to climb at then. Diablo canyon and white rock area have sunny sport climbs that are good in cold weather.

Ira OMC · · Hardwick, VT · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 273

Thanks! Is there a good source for beta besides what is online?

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

Online is best by far.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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