My partner and I are considering a trip to AZ this winter, we have 11 days so really only about a week for climbing. We want to stay in the Tucson area and are looking at Mount Lemmon and Cochise Stronghold. Given the time frame are there any suggestions out there for areas or specific routes out there in the 5.9-5.12 range? We are keeping it sporty so we can travel a bit lighter (trad for the next visit!). Thanks for any and all suggestions!!
Adam R
·
Nov 3, 2023
·
Southwest mostly
· Joined Jun 2020
· Points: 0
Check out La Milagrosa Canyon, they don't call it 5.11 heaven for nothing! Beautiful hike on its own and I recommend going all the way in to see the pools up top, avoid it on the weekend though if you don't like crowds.
Isle of You area in the West Stronghold at Cochise has a nice concentration of single pitch sport climbs with free camping, so also a good area to base yourself for other sport climbs on the west side.
Also check out The Farmhouse. Tons of awesome limestone sport climbs up to 40m long. Easy drive (100% paved), slightly hard approach but you're in the shade pretty much all day. All grades 5.7 - 5.13+ with some real gems in the 5.10-5.12 range.
Mt Lemmon is absolutely a great spot for getting as much sport climbing as you want in. Windy Point area has some cool towers to climb but there are great spots all up and down the highway depending on the weather while you're there. If it is cold high on the mt I always loved the Gordon Hirabayashi/Prison Camp area. If it isn't too bad up top the summit crags have a lot of single or multi pitch sport or trad. Highly recommended.