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Crescendo

5.11+, Trad, 215 ft (65 m), 2 pitches, Grade II,  Avg: 3 from 3 votes
FA: Matt Twyman, Adam Mitchell
New Mexico > Las Cruces Area… > Organ Mountains > Sugarloaf Area > Sugarloaf
Warning Access Issue: Power drilling is prohibited in the Organ Mountains Wilderness. DetailsDrop down

Description

Bouldery crux until just after pulling the lip. Then eases to 5.8 and a very enjoyable cruise through nice cracks, cool features & two gorgeous arcs with a chill slab finish.

If aided through the overhang, estimated @ II C2 5.9.

There was an old rap sling on a horn ~ 2/3 way up to new p1 anchors. Left in place. Line has likely seen effort before. Any history / credits due is much appreciated.

Location

Just below (west) of south saddle. Last continuous finger-sized crack system before saddle ridge. Starts in overhang/pod. Ends up slab above two beautiful & obvious arcs (can alternately bail left to large bivy ledge with homemade anchors and lizard patterned webbing over small hump before last arc peters out but beware of heinous drag for belaying the 2nd). New SS Powers 3/8-3.5" 5pc + rap rings at both pitches.

The slab is an obvious finish and saves drag but it spits you out half way up the south summit ridge descent ramp (Descents 'A' & 'B' detailed by Bill Lowry). No anchors could be built without walking up the rest of the ramp to the summit blocks. This just didn't feel right so we figured it would be best to install additional anchors to support the natural finish to the route as well as offer a bomber rap option.

Protection

Small gear the whole way. Bring 1ea #1, .75, .5 & multiples of smaller. Start takes good gear but the crux sequence demands a BD #2 TCU or similar to save space for a minimal slot jam.

If aiding, bring same gear + a couple of beaks.

70m rope if you plan to rap using the 2nd pitch anchors as your descent. Otherwise you can use a 60m and utilize Descent 'A' as detailed by Bill Lowry.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

View from southern outcrops
[Hide Photo] View from southern outcrops
1st pitch SS anchors.  ~25m rap to ground.  Could use some sealant to prevent water entry / freeze.  Also, if anyone's so kind, please upgrade to rap ring hangers if I don't get to it soon enough.  Please don't nab biners/rap rings.  Keep it nice and easy for all to use.
[Hide Photo] 1st pitch SS anchors. ~25m rap to ground. Could use some sealant to prevent water entry / freeze. Also, if anyone's so kind, please upgrade to rap ring hangers if I don't get to it soon enough.…
slightly more west
[Hide Photo] slightly more west
Belaying Matt on the FA
[Hide Photo] Belaying Matt on the FA
SS rap ring anchors ~ 1/2 way down summit south ramp.  33m rap to next anchors.  Could use some sealant to prevent water entry / freeze.
[Hide Photo] SS rap ring anchors ~ 1/2 way down summit south ramp. 33m rap to next anchors. Could use some sealant to prevent water entry / freeze.
Adam Mitchell after aiding through the crux and leaving me the hammer to extract the beaks.
[Hide Photo] Adam Mitchell after aiding through the crux and leaving me the hammer to extract the beaks.