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El Rito Sport Area 
El Rito Traditional Area 


El Rito

Submitted By: Anthony Stout on Jan 20, 2006
Administrators: Aaron Hobson, Anthony Stout, George Perkins
Latitude: 36.2972  Longitude: -106.1960 
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Patric Climbing at El Rito (route unknown).


Description 

There are two sections to this area, one area is sport, while another is traditional. The climbing here is really fun, steep, and full of boulders and pockets.

The "trad" area has less steep, moderate routes and is a great area for the beginning traditional climber to learn his or her skills.

The sport area contains well protected, cobblestone sport climbing with routes up to 5.13. If you have ever been to maple canyon in Utah, this place is very similar, but not quite as steep, and the area is not nearly as large.

Because an extensive online guidebook is already available, it makes little sense to rehash the information here. It seems unnecessary to post any maps, etc, just click on the web link below for detailed information about the area.


Resources 

- Web guide: http://www.lamountaineers.org/Elrito/index.htm
(This was updated by J.Halladay in June 08 to include recent additions at the sport area)

- "Taos Rock Climbs & Boulders of Northern New Mexico" by Jay Foley, Sharp End Books, 2005.

- "Rock Climbing: New Mexico" by Dennis Jackson, Falcon.


Getting There 

Both are just a few miles north of the small community of El Rito. See area descriptions.



Featured Route For El Rito
Moving into the optional-but-worth-it smooth rock section near the top of the second pitch.

Packrat Dihedral 5.6  NM : El Rito : El Rito Traditional Area
P1: Follow the obvious dihedral on the right hand side of the cliff up to a bolted belay anchor under the right hand side of the large roof.P2: Turn the roof on the right and continue straight up to the top. Excellent....[more]


Add Photo Photos of El Rito
Super Slab, one of the crags at the El Rito sport climbing area.

Super Slab, one of the crags at the El Rito sport ...

El Rito Sport Crag

El Rito Sport Crag

El Rito Cattle Drive, Don't park on the Road

El Rito Cattle Drive, Don't park on the Road

El Rito Sport Crag 2

El Rito Sport Crag 2

Natural hallway with large wedged steps dubbed the "Route Canal".  There are a few shady routes on the left side (Big pine wall).

Natural hallway with large wedged steps dubbed the...


Add Comment Comments on El Rito
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By Ben Bruestle
From: Nashvegas
Jan 27, 2006

The conglomerate climbing here is very similar to Maple Canyon, UT, except no crowds.

By Jennifer Hare
From: Westminster, CO
Jan 8, 2007

Question- How often do cobbles pull out per the large amount that are scattered on the ground? Any ideas? -Thanks, Jen

By Monomaniac
From: Morrison, CO
Jan 10, 2007

I've climbed almost every route at El Rito and I;ve never pulled off a cobble, or seen once come off. If I were you, I'd be more concerned about the sandstone matrix. But it all seems really solid to me.

By Jason Halladay
From: Los Alamos, NM
Jun 25, 2007

The NAclassics.com content has moved the Los Alamos Mountaineers website. This includes the El Rito Trad and Sport online guides as well as all of the contents of the CD that one used to have to pay for. This is quality material and we're lucky to have free access to it now!

By Anthony Stout
Administrator
From: Albuquerque, NM
Jun 26, 2007

Great! Uhhhh, makes me glad that I paid for the CD just a few months ago. Oh well, guess you gotta chalk it up to a donation for all the great work they put into it.

By ElyseSokoloff
From: Flagstaff, AZ
Feb 19, 2008

So El Rito next week..issues with climbing there re: cold and access? We were there in April last year and it was perfect. Temps look like they'll be high 40's...too cold? Also, I can't remember how bad the road was out there. Will the snow be too much of an issue? TIA.

By Monomaniac
From: Morrison, CO
Feb 19, 2008

Hard to say, this time of year. I haven't been out this winter. I've climbed there in November before, but it was pretty cold. Most of the good cliffs face west, but the Super Slab & the Schoolhouse Slab face South, so they would be ok if its sunny.

The real questin will be the road, as you suggested. That road can get really muddy at times. I would be worried that snowmelt will make the road a mess.

By drusch
Mar 24, 2008

Supplemental directions: To get to the trad area travel north on FR 44. At the intersection for road 248 stay to the right (the sign for 248 was in the middle of the fork and unclear which road was 248 and which was FR 44). Continue on FR44, you will pass spur road 44A on the left. Go about .6 miles further and you will come to an unmarked road on the left. This is the road to the trad area. Take this left and drive about a mile until you get to the gate mentioned in the guide book and park on the right (obvious parking area). Look for the fire ring on the southeast corner of the parking area and follow the cairns to the wall. The trad wall is east and south of the fire ring.