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Millet Silver Triaxiale Climbing Rope

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Petzl Fuse Dry Climbing Rope - 9.4mm

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Arivaca Lake 
Baboquivari Peak 
Chiricahua National Monument 
Cholla Mountain 
Cochise Stronghold 
Dry Canyon, The 
End of the Road, The 
Kitt Peak 
Mendoza Canyon (aka Coyote Domes) 
Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalina Mountains) 
Mustang, The 
Newman Peak- "The Shady Lady?" 
Rincon Mountains 
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Texas Canyon 
Tinajas Altas 
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Tucson Area Bouldering 
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Tucson Mountains 

Rest Day:
Nearby Mountain Bike Rides

Canada del Oro
One of the only Tucson area trails running along a water source. Near Oro Valley, AZ
CDO
An amazing trail traversing from the top of Mt Lemmon to the bottom. Near Oro Valley, AZ
Full Lemmon Drop
High alpine to the desert floor - a 9,000' difficult drop. Near Tucson, AZ
Aspen Draw
A short & sweet all-downhill run. Near Tucson, AZ
Green Mountain
A bit of work, but good slightly technical riding. Near Oro Valley, AZ
Lemmon Drop
A long, mostly downhill tour of Mt. Lemmon. Near Oro Valley, AZ
From MP's sister site: MTB Project

Southern Arizona 


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Submitted By: 1Eric Rhicard on Jan 23, 2012

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Saguaros and approaching storm, Mt. Lemmon

Description 

Southern Arizona has a lot to offer most rock climbers. There are classic old school trad routes and super safe bolted climbs. Most of the climbing is lower angle to vertical face climbing. This is not to say that there isn't any steep stuff as a few crags have sections of steep to very steep (45 degrees) rock. There is some crack climbing but not many pure crack climbs. The majority of routes are between 5.8 and 5.12. For the 5.10 to 5.11 climber thousands of routes will keep you busy for a lifetime. There are only two 5.14s and 15 or so 5.13s on Mt. Lemmon at this time so super hard climbers usually move away.

The approaches range from sixty seconds to three or more hours. Most however, are between fifteen minutes and one hour. Elevations range from 2300 feet to 9100 feet. The ability to climb at various elevations make it possible to climb all year. On top of that the scenery is pretty spectacular with some of the prettiest sunsets you can watch. You can climb next to giant Saguaro Cactus or in the tall Ponderosa pines at the top of Mount Lemmon.

The West Stronghold on a gorgeous November night. <br /> <br />flickr.com/thedan86
The West Stronghold on a gorgeous November night.

flickr.com/thedan86
Submitted By: Dan.Heacock on Nov 28, 2009


Cochise Stronghold and the Catalina Mountains, more often referred to as Mt. Lemmon are where most of the climbing activity occurs. The Stronghold has lots of old school sphincter puckering trad routes and a higher number of more heavily bolted lines that make for a less terrifying day. The climbs reach to the summits of majestic domes of granite that are highlighted by green and yellow lichen. Late afternoon sunsets lighting these walls will take your breath away.

Orifice Politics, Mount Lemmon, Arizona.  <br /> <br />Photo by: Aaron Lavinsky
Orifice Politics, Mount Lemmon, Arizona.

Photo by: Aaron Lavinsky
Submitted By: RyanJames on Apr 4, 2011


The Catalina Mountains have hundreds of multi pitch routes but most think of it as a cragging area. Located on the northern edge of Tucson it sees the highest concentration of climbers. The 30 mile long Catalina highway has a couple of thousand climbs within 30 minutes of the road. Even so if you walk a short distance you can often have the crag to yourself.

If you get away from these two areas and visit the less traveled areas you can easily eliminate contact with other climbers and still find some great climbing.

Wherever you end up the weather will usually cooperate and the warmth of the desert will have you smiling.


Getting There 

Tucson is the epicenter of southern Arizona. If you are flying in you might find direct flights can be a bit more expensive. Many fly into Phoenix and rent a car and head south. Most cars will get you to most areas but a few will require a high clearance vehicle. If you are driving find your way to I-10 and it will lead you to Tucson.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Southern Arizona:
Inner Passage   5.3     Trad, 500 feet   Rockfellow Group : Rockfellow Dome
What's My Line?   5.6 A0 R     Trad, Aid, 3 pitches, 400 feet   East Stronghold : Cochise Dome (What's My Lin...
Ewephoria   5.7     Trad, Sport, 5 pitches, 750 feet   Sheepshead Area (Southwest) : The Sheepshead
Slippery When Wet   5.7     Trad, 2 pitches, 130 feet   Windy Point West : North Fin
Moby Dick   5.8     Trad, 6 pitches, 700 feet, Grade II   West Stronghold : Whale Dome
The Wasteland   5.8     Trad, 6 pitches, 600 feet   East Stronghold : The Wasteland
Nightstalker   5.9     Trad, Sport, 1 pitch, 120 feet   East Stronghold : Owl Rock
Bee Line   5.9 R     Trad, 3 pitches, 280 feet   East Stronghold : Stronghold Dome
Steel Crazy   5.9     Sport, 4 pitches, 450 feet   Summit Crags : The Fortress
Absinthe of Mallet   5.9+     Trad, 7 pitches, Grade III   Sheepshead Area (Southwest) : The Sheepshead
Forest Lawn   5.9+     Trad, 3 pitches, 300 feet   Rockfellow Group : Bastion Towers
Endgame   5.10a     Trad, 5 pitches, 600 feet   Rockfellow Group : End Pinnacle
The Peacemaker   5.10a     Sport, 7 pitches, Grade III   Sheepshead Area (Southwest) : The Sheepshead
Days of Future Passed   5.10b PG13     Trad, 4 pitches, 400 feet, Grade III   Rockfellow Group : End Pinnacle
Warpaint   5.10c PG13     Trad, 5 pitches, 680 feet, Grade III   West Stronghold : Westworld Dome
Steve's Arete   5.11a     Sport, 1 pitch, 40 feet   Windy Point East : Hunchback Pinnacle
Abracadaver   5.11a     Trad, 6 pitches, 500 feet, Grade III   Rockfellow Group : Rockfellow Dome
Hard Day at The Orifice   5.12b     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Summit Crags : The Fortress
Orifice Politics   5.12     Sport, 105 feet   Summit Crags : The Fortress
Coup de' tat   5.13     Sport, 100 feet   Summit Crags : The Fortress
Browse More Classics in Southern Arizona

Featured Route For Southern Arizona

Agatha Christie (Direct) 5.8  AZ : Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalin... : ... : North Fin
This Lemmon classic is a must-do for tradsters solid in the grade. Fun, but sustained and not entirely casual. Climb broken, blocky dihedrals up to large corner. Layback a beautiful flake up and right for about 12 ft. Exit this flake and finish straight up face to chains. Either lower or walk off....[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ


Photos of Southern Arizona Slideshow Add Photo
Orifice Politics, Mount Lemmon, Arizona.  <br /> <br />Photo by: Aaron Lavinsky

Orifice Politics, Mount Lemmon, Arizona.

Photo b...


Maybe a barrel cactus?  September 2012.

Maybe a barrel cactus? September 2012.

Another shot.  September 2012.

Another shot. September 2012.

In Saguaro national park.  September 2012.

In Saguaro national park. September 2012.

Saguaro NP, Southern Arizona

Saguaro NP, Southern Arizona

Organ Pipe Cactus NM, Southern Arizona

Organ Pipe Cactus NM, Southern Arizona

Coronado NM, Southern Arizona

Coronado NM, Southern Arizona