All Locations > New Mexico > Santa Fe Area > Diablo Canyon > Early Wall

Observatory Wall (Upper Tier) Rock Climbing

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Routes in Observatory Wall (Upper Tier)

L › R R › L A › Z

	Airbus T 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13
	Diablo Standard T 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Goodnight Moon T 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
	La Naris S 5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
	Lichening The Serpent S 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Luna Lumina T 5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c PG13
	Solar Eclipse T 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Soul Sacrifice S 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	You're Scaring the Horses S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b

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Elevation:	5,500 ft
GPS:	35.80501, -106.14174 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	10,396 total · 48/month
Shared By:	A Miller on Jun 7, 2006 · Updates
Admins:	Shirtless Mike, Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown Page Updates (admin only)

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Access Issue: Access Issue for Areas in BLM Taos Field Office Lands Details

Per the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Taos Field Office's ( blm.gov/office/taos-field-o…) 2012 Taos Resource Management Plan (RMP) ( bit.ly/2Kab3HO), "Installation of new rock climbing routes or hardware will require pre-approval by the BLM." The RMP is the document that guides all the BLM management in a given field office. Climbers are asked to respect this guidance and not install new bolts or fixed hardware on Taos Field Office BLM land without pre-approval from the BLM. NM CRAG ( nmcrag.org/) is currently working with the BLM Taos Field Office to establish specific guidance for new route development in the district and they hope to have a formal process in the near future.

Diablo areas within the BLM Taos Field Office management area are: The Shack, Winter Wall, Solar Cave, Lake Street and Styx.

Description

The Observatory Wall is the tier of rock above the Runway, on Early Wall. North-facing and shaded (good in summer). Reach these climbs by climbing the Runway (Lower Tier) routes below them, usually continuing past the anchors through a blocky section to a higher belay at the base of the Observatory Wall routes. Due to loose rocks, you can't easily/safely traverse very far along the base of the upper tier.

To descend, some climbs may require a 70m rope, 2nd rope, or shenanigans, or walk off to the left. Check the route descriptions to see the best approach pitches, and to see if you'll want a 2nd rope.

It's worth it, the rock quality and views are great.

Getting There

Follow the approach for The Grotto but head left (east) before entering the Grotto proper. Climb a route on the Runway (Lower Tier) to reach the upper tier, the Observatory Wall.

9 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Observatory Wall (Upper Tier)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 4 ● Solar Eclipse Trad 2 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c PG13 4 ● Luna Lumina Trad 2 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 6 ● La Naris Sport
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c PG13 7 ● Airbus Trad 2 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a 9 ● Lichening The Serpent Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b 4 ● You're Scaring the Horses Sport