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5 - Bee Cave

Arizona > Southern Arizona > Dry Canyon

Description

Bee cave is one of the better sectors at The Dry. You can expect most of the routes here to be pretty easy for the first few bolts until you hit the prime section of rock about 30 feet above the ground, then the real fun begins. A lot of work has been done here over the past few seasons to fill in the area with good rock climbs in all styles from steep roofs to interesting face climbs and none of them are to be missed.

Bee Cave is also one of the first spots along the cliff to get shade which makes it a great place to stop on the hike or to make your base camp for the day as you tour the other nearby sectors. The name will lead you to believe that bee's are heavy in the area but that is not true. There used to be a hive in the cave itself but that has been removed for some time now. If you are greeted with bee's in the area be advised, they are docile and only visit the cliff for water. If you are to get stung they will likely to go for your ankles so wear pants or some socks and you should be alright.

Getting There

The Bee Cave is approached via the sole access trail which makes a single large switchback. Upon reaching the wall continue hiking east, gaining elevation. A fixed metal guideline protects the narrow corner at the start of the cave.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 32
Hood Love
Sport
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a
 5
Honey Seeker
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 10
All Choked Up
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 33
Stranglehoff
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 10
Cream Filling
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 37
Veganator
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 2
Veganator Extension
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 18
Saxophone Potluck
Sport
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
 6
Life in Color
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 42
A Climb Called Quest
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 38
Unicorn Infestation
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 20
Tammy Birkenstock Rides Again
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 6
Empty Nest Syndrome
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 24
Dragged Out and Dusted
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Hood Love
 32
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Honey Seeker
 5
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a Sport
All Choked Up
 10
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Stranglehoff
 33
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Cream Filling
 10
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Veganator
 37
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Veganator Extension
 2
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Saxophone Potluck
 18
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Life in Color
 6
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b Sport
A Climb Called Quest
 42
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Unicorn Infestation
 38
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Tammy Birkenstock Rides Again
 20
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Empty Nest Syndrome
 6
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Dragged Out and Dusted
 24
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Sept 16th - 70 degrees in the shade with nice clouds and a light breeze all day.  Jilian climbs the start of Veganator and Cory nears the top of Unicorn Infestation.
<br>
Photo: Kemper Brightman
[Hide Photo] Sept 16th - 70 degrees in the shade with nice clouds and a light breeze all day. Jilian climbs the start of Veganator and Cory nears the top of Unicorn Infestation. Photo: Kemper Brightman
New routes - order up.  
<br>
Summer 2017
[Hide Photo] New routes - order up. Summer 2017
Socked in during a summer monsoon.  Notice the profusely healthy Ocotillo on the left.
[Hide Photo] Socked in during a summer monsoon. Notice the profusely healthy Ocotillo on the left.
Bee Cave: Hood Love and the start of Veganator (5.10a to the roof chain)
[Hide Photo] Bee Cave: Hood Love and the start of Veganator (5.10a to the roof chain)
It ain't a bad view from up here.
[Hide Photo] It ain't a bad view from up here.
Beta for Bee Cave routes
[Hide Photo] Beta for Bee Cave routes