Solar Cave

Aaron on "unnamed" 12c to the right of the "Solar ...

Description 

Quote from random climber while working one of the routes in this area: "this is good choss!"

The routes here may look a little crumbly, but the rock is quite solid! Home of the most difficult climbs in Diablo, exciting and overhung routes will push you to the limit!

Getting There 

Walk down to the arroyo and head straight as if going through the canyon between the cliffs. Before you enter between the cliff walls you will see a trail off to the right, heading up toward an obvious south facing area with overhanging rock on the north side of the canyon. The area is adjacent to Sun Devil on the same cliff band.

Misc. 

There are some great routes on this wall! I was not unable to take any pictures of them. I am writing the best descriptions I can here of the routes that I did, and will add photos of these routes when I take them.

Climbs, left to right (see Aaron's topo for details) 

Voyage of the Beagle 5.11b/c
Hominid 5.11b/c
Intelligent Design 5.11c - shares most of 1st pitch with Hominid, move right to belay, then go up 2nd pitch
Natural Selection 5.12+
Mastodont 5.13b/c
Evolution 5.12c
Lucy 5.12a - start shared with Cro-Magnon, then left
Cro-Magnon 5.12a
Meanderthal 5.11+ - start shared with Cro-Magnon, then move right into Neanderthal
Neanderthal 5.12b
Sapien 5.12c/d
Erectus 5.12c - start as for Sapien, then right
Clovis Hunter 5.12b
Native Rituals 5.13b
Tribal Moves (aka Sacred Stone?) 5.12d - start shared with Native Rituals, then right
The ILL (Ian and Lance Line) Route? (AKA Unnamed 12c) 5.12c
Decomp 5.13a - ???
Suicidal Society 5.11c - 2 pitches, missing some bolts?

The Classics

Featured Route For Solar Cave

Clovis Hunter 5.12a/b  NM : Santa Fe Area : ... : Solar Cave

Start on broken rock that is harder than it looks, reach good holds and set up for the small roof and overhang. Original finish heads right with technical face climbing. A new alternate finish heads straight and pulls the next roof. Both finishes are supposed to be the same grade....[more]   Browse More Classics in NM

Photos of Solar Cave Slideshow

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Picture of Solar Cave from The Grotto (AKA: The Notch).

BETA PHOTO: sketch topo of the routes in the cave