El Norte Rock Climbing
Elevation: | 7,704 ft | 2,348 m |
GPS: |
36.39508, -106.1954 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
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Page Views: | 10,632 total · 77/month | |
Shared By: | David Kozak on Sep 18, 2013 | |
Admins: | Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown |
This climbing area is shared with raptors that nest on the cliffs. Help us maintain access and please avoid climbing near active nests/ledges that raptors are using. If a raptor is disturbed during nesting season it may exhibit aggressive defensive behaviors like vocalizing or dive-bombing. If you witness this behavior, retreat from your climb immediately and find a location on a different formation or a different part of the wall far enough away from the raptors that they are no longer noticeably agitated. If they remain agitated, then please leave the area immediately.
Raptor awareness is especially important during nesting season from mid-February to late May but needs to be considered through the end of August. Please report disturbed and/or nesting raptors to the Carson National Forest the appropriate district office (see below) and share relevant information here on MP. Human-raptor encounters can have negative impacts for the birds and climbers in the area. The Cason NF wants to maintain climbing access while protecting raptor reproduction and relies on climbers to recreate responsibly and share information in order to avoid the need for formal raptor closures.
Questa Ranger District
(575) 586-0520
Camino Real (Comales Canyon) Ranger District
(575) 587-2255
Tres Piedras Ranger District
(575) 758-8678
El Rito Ranger District
(575) 581-4554
Description
The rock is cobble conglomerate and is the same as El RIto. The area is divided into two sectors, a lower slab and a treed grotto above. The lower slab is cleaned of loose rock while the upper grotto area still needs significant cleaning. The routes are between 40 and 60 feet in length and are fully equipped. Please do not top rope on the anchors.
Getting There
From the parking area for El Rito follow the El RIto trail for about ten minutes and about 50 feet before the scree field that crosses the trail. Cut up left on a general path toward the lower slab (not visible for much of the approach). This takes about 5 to ten minutes from the El Rito trail. There are three routes here. To get to the Grotto (not recommended at this time) scramble over a five foot wall about 60 feet left of the left-most lower slab route and go up and left to a steep gully. Twenty feet of Class 4 scrambling leads you into The Grotto. There is currently a fixed blue rope to help negotiate this section. Be advised that this scramble is too steep for dogs and small kids to negotiate safely. The Grotto area is a cool place. Please be respectful and don't use the area as a toilet.
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