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Elevation: 10,049 ft
GPS: 39.76827, -105.74296
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 56,600 total · 200/month
Shared By: Richard M. Wright on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC

Description Suggest change

Ra is a 400 feet high fin of stone in an alpine setting at close to 10,000 foot elevation. Several sport routes, a long mixed route, and some trad lines have been developed on this West-facing crag. Numbering begins on the right with the second bolted route encountered, "Empire of the Air" (#1), at four pitches with bolts and trad encountered in each pitch. "Miner's Delight" is an adjacent bolted line that runs up two pitches and has a variation with its own belay and a separate second pitch. "Windows on the World" takes the major, obvious South-facing shield to a super exposed arete finish. More trad routes can be found uphill from these. Development has continued in 2003, and as a result, the landscape can be evolving - I'll try to keep it up to date. 

As of 2020, references to location based on the number of routes from the first one encountered are all out of date due to new route development. Best to use the photos to locate routes

Getting There Suggest change

3.2 miles North on US 40, outside of Empire. Set the odometer at the light by the Post Office. Park in the second of two large pullouts. A trail system has now been worked into the landscape. Across the street from the second major turnout is a short wash just left of a clean, fifteen foot, granite face. Start here. The trail takes off from the top of the wash, and it is well cairned at this point. Presently, the cairned trail seems to be the most user-friendly approach. The hike to Ra takes about 20 minutes despite the fact that the crag appears to lie almost on top of the road.

As Per claytown, the best parking area is at 39.764855,-105.744384. Look for the trail across the street and slightly right.

Ticks

Suggest change
Per Zach Smithee:  **BE AWARE.*** Ticks are infested here. Make sure to do plenty of tick checks on the journey up.

15 Total Climbs

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Location: Ra Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Ra

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 22
The Rohan Face
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 64
Empire of the Air
Trad, Sport 4 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 37
Training Day
Sport 3 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 43
Miner's Delight
Sport 2 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 33
Smeagol's Way
Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 44
Nearer To Thee
Sport 2 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 43
Higher Calling
Sport 3 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 19
Eternal Sunshine
Sport 4 pitches
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 11
Strike It Rich
Sport 2 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 57
Windows On the World
Sport 4 pitches
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 7
Wanted Out West
Sport 2 pitches
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 9
Moving Zen
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 9
Waimea
Sport 3 pitches
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 8
Walk On Water
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Rohan Face
 22
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Empire of the Air
 64
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad, Sport 4 pitches
Training Day
 37
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Sport 3 pitches
Miner's Delight
 43
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport 2 pitches
Smeagol's Way
 33
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Nearer To Thee
 44
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport 2 pitches
Higher Calling
 43
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport 3 pitches
Eternal Sunshine
 19
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport 4 pitches
Strike It Rich
 11
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Sport 2 pitches
Windows On the World
 57
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport 4 pitches
Wanted Out West
 7
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport 2 pitches
Moving Zen
 9
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Waimea
 9
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport 3 pitches
Walk On Water
 8
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
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