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Elevation: 7,649 ft
GPS: 36.39246, -106.19555
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 271,209 total · 1,227/month
Shared By: Anthony Stout on Jan 20, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown
Warning Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Nesting Warning DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Fun, vertical to overhanging conglomerate matrix of metamorphosed sand and mud with inclusions of smooth, rounded cobbles of all sizes. The cobbles, and the holes they leave when they fall out of the matrix, form excellent holds that allow relatively moderate climbing for such steep rock. Fully overhanging routes can be below 5.11, and anything less than vertical will probably clock in at 5.8 or below. All routes are sport bolted, so you can concentrate on the climbing instead of the protection. Text copied from Gary Clark's online guide.

No toilet paper fairy

Getting There Suggest change

GOOGLE MAP DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM HIGHWAY 84: goo.gl/maps/QFZtcTFEYe2mc6xv6

El Rito is located about 50 miles north of Santa Fe (please see a road map to find El Rito). From the east end of the village, turn north on Forest Road 44 (dirt). Drive 3.75 miles from the pavement, and park to the left just after the sign "Cañada del Potrero." Camping is available at several locations up this spur road, which ends in about a half-mile. Now walk across the road to a trail paralleling it headed south. The trail crosses a bridge, then turns south up the sidehill to the crags. (~15 min.)
The primary parking area is relatively small. Please park head-in and save space for other vehicles.

More Beta

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Gary Clark created free PDF guides for the El Rito sport and trad climbing areas. Gary has moved away from New Mexico and Jason Halladay has adopted the guide updates. The most recent update is from 2017 but is still quite valuable and helpful for navigating the areas.

Pack Out Your Used Toilet Paper (Leave No Trace ethics)

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It is imperative climbers pack out their used toilet paper. The sport climbing area is very concentrated. The steep, loose slopes make it more difficult to find a place to use the bathroom resulting in some very popular "poop spots." Unfortunately. there is a large amount of used toilet paper floating around these popular spots. This is gross and disrespectful to the area and other climbers. Do your part--put your used toilet paper (and poop for bonus points) in a baggie and take it home for disposal. Also, always pack out what trash you brought in. 

No toilet paper fairy

137 Total Climbs

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Location: El Rito Sport Area Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at El Rito Sport Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V4 6B
 7
Basecamp
Boulder
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 172
Super Arete
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 193
Scurvy Dog
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 141
Clast Action
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 134
Boltaneer
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 131
Blackballed
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 143
Balls to the Wall
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 226
Cobble Wobble
Sport
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 80
Squeeze My Cobbles
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 61
Walking the Plank (aka The Buzz)
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 176
Bolting Barbie
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 81
Stroke Me
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 129
Crack Attack
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 40
Stoker
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 42
Against All Cobbs
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Basecamp 45 Degree Boulder
 7
V4 6B Boulder
Super Arete Super Slab
 172
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Scurvy Dog Pirate's Wall
 193
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Clast Action Super Slab
 141
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Boltaneer Super Slab
 134
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Blackballed Gnar Wall & Route Canal
 131
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Balls to the Wall Gnar Wall & Route Canal
 143
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Cobble Wobble Big Pine Wall
 226
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Squeeze My Cobbles Big Pine Wall
 80
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Walking the Plank (aka The… Pirate's Wall
 61
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Bolting Barbie Rad Wall
 176
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
Stroke Me Rad Wall
 81
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Crack Attack Rad Wall
 129
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Stoker Rad Wall
 40
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Against All Cobbs Rad Wall
 42
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in El Rito Sport Area »

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