Clear Light Cave Rock Climbing
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Elevation: | 6,198 ft | 1,889 m |
GPS: |
35.97018, -115.47445 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 71,083 total · 472/month | |
Shared By: | Andrew Raether on Jul 5, 2012 | |
Admins: | Luke EF, Justin Johnsen |
Description
Sunny and shady walls. The deepest part of the cave almost never gets sun. The left wall gets morning shade. The cave gets morning sun. The right wall gets sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
It is possible to climb at Mt. Potosi through the winter, though January through March can have some days that are just too cold - even snowing. Too hot in the summer (June through September).
Dan McQuade was the first person to develop routes in the cave around 1997 or 1998 - starting with the classic 5.12a, Moment of Clarity. Soon after, Joe Brooks, Brian McCray, Roxanna Brock, and Jared McMillan spent a lot of time in the cave opening new routes. Mike Lewis also added a number of natural routes in the 5.11 to 5.13a range.
The cave routes are mostly steep, long, and gymnastic.
Whether you disagree with the ethics involved in developing some of the routes, the cave is a beautifully majestic place to hang out and climb.
It is possible to climb at Mt. Potosi through the winter, though January through March can have some days that are just too cold - even snowing. Too hot in the summer (June through September).
Dan McQuade was the first person to develop routes in the cave around 1997 or 1998 - starting with the classic 5.12a, Moment of Clarity. Soon after, Joe Brooks, Brian McCray, Roxanna Brock, and Jared McMillan spent a lot of time in the cave opening new routes. Mike Lewis also added a number of natural routes in the 5.11 to 5.13a range.
The cave routes are mostly steep, long, and gymnastic.
Whether you disagree with the ethics involved in developing some of the routes, the cave is a beautifully majestic place to hang out and climb.
Getting There
40 to 50 minutes. You cannot see the Clear Light Cave from the parking lot, nor during most of the hike. From the parking lot, follow the road west until it ends in the wash. Continue up the wash, following where other climbers have hiked. Stay in the wash until you can see the cave up to your right - follow a steep and loose trail up to the cave.
Classic Climbing Routes at Clear Light Cave
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
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Photos
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