South Ridge (Little Squaretop Massif) 5.8
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BETA PHOTO: Little Squaretop
South ridge
Viewed from Organ Nee...
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Description This route climbs a large slashing crack on the southern ridge of Little Squaretop Massif up to a large shoulder, and then continues along the ridge taking a the path of least resistance to the summit. The first pitch is a short scramble from the saddle (5.4) up to a large ledge beneath the steep South ridge which has an obvious slashing crack which ascends the entire ridge up to a large shoulder. The Slash/crack is the crux pitch and currently harbors some nice lichen growths. Despite this, the rock is predominately solid, and there are nice rest-stances between steep sections. The remaining pitches follow the ridge to the summit and many variations are possible.
Location This route starts from the Saddle between Organ Needle and Little Squaretop. Approach to the saddle is the same as the approach for Northwest Ridge on the Organ Needle.
Protection Light alpine rack. Large cams (#3 or 4) could be used more security for the crux pitch, but a resourceful leader can get by without them.
| Comments on South Ridge (Little Squaretop Massif) |
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By Aaron Hobson
Administrator
From: Las Cruces, NM
Nov 2, 2008
| I'd be curious if any Organ Mountain climbers know if this route has been climbed before. Unlike many of the routes I have done in the Organs, there was no evidence of climbers having been up this ridge. But it is an obvious line and it's hard to imagine that it hadn't been explored by someone. Ingraham's guide simply states "a number of routes up the South Eastern end of the massif can be found" but it appears to me that he is talking about 4rth class routes to the summit. |
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