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Trad destination for December?

Original Post
Sherpthederp · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 40

I am planning on taking 10 days in late December to go on a trad climbing trip somewhere from the San Francisco Bay Area. I was hoping to get out so somewhere with some sandstone crack climbing as I would like to change it up for a bit from Valley and Tahoe granite. I'm confident leading 5.9 and willing to hop on a couple 5.10s and my partner leads 5.7/5.8 confidently.

Our initial thought was Zion, Moab, or Indian Creek but I am concerned about potential adverse weather there, so now we are looking into Red Rocks due to the lower monthly rainfall there in December.

Any advise on those destinations during that time of year or have any suggestions?

Cheers,
Norm

monkeyvanya · · Denver · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 265

Joshua Tree (CA), Cochise Stronghold(AZ). I've heard locals saying you can climb at Paradise Forks(AZ) in winter.

Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415

Plan for any and all, then simply decide based on weather before you leave. Could be perfect or snowing. Kinda hard to guess 6 months out.

chuck claude · · Flagstaff, Az · Joined Jul 2006 · Points: 225

Paradise Forks (which is about 30 miles west of Flagstaff) will be a major crap shoot in December. I have plenty of times, but thats because I am a local. It could also be under 2-3ft of snow by then. you'd have better luck in Sedona (about 30miles south of Flagstaff) and there are a few high quality multipitch trad climbs in the ran ge you are describing

fng · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 40

In 10 days you can hit several spots along the east on 395. Alabama Hills is old granite JT like with no people. Near by is Fossil Falls for an afternoon and to the north is Bishop, Buttermilks and Owens River Gorge and a ton more. Look on RC.com. plus there are hot springs to chill in after climbing.

Rob WardenSpaceLizard · · las Vegans, the cosmic void · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 130

you dont want to come to Zion unless you confidently lead 5.10 with shitty rock and runouts. Also the rack for stuff here is nuts... wanna climb a hand crack better have 2 fives and some fours for the mandatory banana pod between the "Easy" climbing and the "Hand Crack"

W L · · NEVADASTAN · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 851

If yer solid at sustained 5.10 crack climbing, Zion is awesome. Conversely, if you want low commitment entertainment (see what I did there?) come to Vegas and enjoy what Red Rock has to offer. A lot of folks have talked up Cochise as a great mid-winter destination, que calor!

Sherpthederp · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 40

Thanks for all of the advice. I have access to an rv for the trip now so Red Rocks will be perfect since if the weather turns there we can head any direction and find somewhere with the potential for decent weather.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Trad Climbing
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