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Elevation: 9,801 ft
GPS: 36.79435, -105.53466
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Shared By: George Perkins on Nov 28, 2009 · Updates
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Description Suggest change

Questa Dome is a 600-ft tall south-facing granite dome in the secluded Latir Peaks Wilderness area in northern New Mexico. The climbs on the main dome range from 5.10 to 5.12 linking crack systems with thin face climbing up the best granite in northern NM. While its classic 5-pitch 5.11, A Question of Balance, is on every aspiring NM trad climber's hit list, other climbs are sure to be excellent and rewarding too.

The 5.8 on the Legs formation is also popular among those not up for 5.10.

The granite bouldering along the trail to the Dome is okay too.

Season: May through October, typically. Can be hot on hot summer days. Watch out for thunderstorms, especially in July and August. It can be warm enough in April, but the approach may still be snowy.

Guidebooks: A guidebook or at least a topo is recommended. 'Taos Rock' and 'Rock Climbing: New Mexico' are both excellent guides to the area, and both include the best climbs. 'Taos Rock' includes 2 or 3 more routes that aren't in RC:NM, and a section on the bouldering. Easier low-angle crack systems (undocumented) can be found on the slabs between the Legs and Questa Dome proper.

Getting There Suggest change

From Taos: Take NM 522 north past the village of Questa. 6 miles past Questa take a right at a sign to El Rito. Go just under a mile to where the road turns (at a house) to dirt. Veer right and then climb up the steep road for just under a mile farther. At the T-junction, go right, and continue for 0.2 miles a small parking and the trailhead on the left. With high clearance you can get to the trailhead, without, you'll probably need to stop earlier (less than 10 minutes extra walk).

The trailhead is an ok place to camp. Don't drink the water from the stream without treating it, livestock are upstream.

Trailhead Location: N 36°47.8597 W 105°32.8762

Approach:

The trail climbs through the pine forest and soon meets a beautiful creek. In early season, the trail may be flooded by the creek in some places, but should not be a problem. As the trail gets steeper, the dome is obvious on the left. Stay on the trail until about level with the base, then traverse left to the base of the rock. This will take 45 minutes or so.

To get to "the Legs" formation, head up on a faint cairned trail at the first place the trail meets the boulderfield.

18 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Questa Dome

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 43
Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre (O…
Trad 3 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 19
The Ancient Ones
Trad 4 pitches
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 5
No Questa About It
Trad 3 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 5
Questando La Via Sin Arboles
Trad 6 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b PG13
 9
Tostadas Comquesta
Trad 5 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b R
 10
Jonny Questa
Trad 5 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c PG13
 39
Question of Balance
Trad 5 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 6
Questar
Trad 4 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13
 7
Another Pretty Face
Trad 2 pitches
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b PG13
 5
Questionable Timing
Trad 3 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bear Mountain Picnic Massac… Legs
 43
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 3 pitches
The Ancient Ones Questa Dome
 19
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 4 pitches
No Questa About It Legs
 5
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 3 pitches
Questando La Via Sin Arboles Questa Dome
 5
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
Tostadas Comquesta Questa Dome
 9
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b PG13 Trad 5 pitches
Jonny Questa Questa Dome
 10
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b R Trad 5 pitches
Question of Balance Questa Dome
 39
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c PG13 Trad 5 pitches
Questar Questa Dome
 6
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 4 pitches
Another Pretty Face Questa Dome
 7
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13 Trad 2 pitches
Questionable Timing Questa Dome
 5
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b PG13 Trad 3 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Questa Dome »

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