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Routes Sorted
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Baradur 
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Corner, The 
Helm's Deep 
Lude 
Not So Easy Arch 
Other Way, The 
Quick Death 
Standard Route 
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Voodoo Child (direct start) 
Unsorted Routes:

Rappel Rock 


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Administrators: Kristine Hoffman, Greg Opland, James DeRoussel, JJ Schlick, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: James DeRoussel on Oct 28, 2002

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  • Rap Rock.

    Description 

    Rappel Rock is located near the summit of Mt Lemmon at an elevation of over 9000 feet. Like the other summit crags, Rap Rock offers cool temps and spectacular views of Tucson to the south.

    There are a number of high quality routes, including some of the longest moderate routes on the mountain.


    Getting There 

    Driving up the Catalina Highway, turn right on the road to the ski valley. Continue past the ski valley, through a gate, and down a rough paved road. Drive to the gravel parking lot on the left just before the observatory. Park here and continue on foot, up the road, following the 'trail' sign. (Stay left when you see the sign at the observatory).

    Ten minutes will bring you to a metal shed on the right hand side of the road. There is a spring here on the left...its probably safe, but drink at your own risk.

    Continue past this shed for another hundred yards until you see a trail lead off left, downhill toward the crags. There is a large boulder in this area just below the trail. A few minutes on this trail will put you down in plain view of Rap Rock. Follow the trail down and around the west (right) end of two smaller formations. You will be deposited at the back side of Rap Rock.

    Many parties rack up here to avoid hiking back down for gear after summiting. Its also a good idea to scramble up and check out the descent.

    To find the climbs, follow vague, steep trail down and around east end of Rappel Rock.


    The Classics

    Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Rappel Rock:
    Not So Easy Arch   5.5     Trad, 2 pitches, 300 feet   
    Standard Route   5.6     Trad, 4 pitches, 450 feet   
    Charadras   5.7     Trad, 1 pitch, 120 feet   
    Black Quacker   5.7     Trad, 450 feet   
    Bender-Axen   5.8     Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet   
    The Corner   5.8+ PG13     Trad, 1 pitch   
    Quick Death   5.9     Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet   
    Chiboni   5.9+     Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet   
    Helm's Deep   5.10+     Trad, 3 pitches, 400 feet   
    Voodoo Child   5.10+     Sport, 1 pitch, 100 feet   
    Browse More Classics in Rappel Rock

    Featured Route For Rappel Rock
    Peter Jackson’s version of Baradur, courtesy of Wikipedia. <br />

    Baradur 5.11d  AZ : Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalin... : ... : Rappel Rock
    A number of us locals were competing for the FA of this line in the late 70s, a right-facing, right-leaning corner that just disappeared into an apparently blank face. Until Steve’s lead in 1979, those of us who tried it didn’t even make it to the end of the crack. Some of us called it the Crack of No Return, which doesn’t make sense now, but seemed to then – something to do with what appeared to be oblivion waiting at crack’s end. Steve didn’t have an easy time of it, though, taking several...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ


    Photos of Rappel Rock Slideshow Add Photo
    Rappel Rock

    Rappel Rock

    Aaron M. at the top of Rap Rock.  September 2007

    Aaron M. at the top of Rap Rock. September 2007

    Rappel Rock from the Orifice Wall after a storm.

    Rappel Rock from the Orifice Wall after a storm.

    Ryan enjoying the view

    Ryan enjoying the view

    Finishing the third pitch of Black Quacker. <br /> <br />photo credit: Dave Lammers

    Finishing the third pitch of Black Quacker.

    photo...


    Dawn approaching Rap rock. February 2010

    Dawn approaching Rap rock. February 2010

    Here ya go...Took this Saturday Sep.18th 2010...On the 4th pitch of Bender Axen 5.8

    Here ya go...Took this Saturday Sep.18th 2010...On...

    The infamous tree belay at the first ledge.

    The infamous tree belay at the first ledge.

    The notch in the Obituary Column with a two bolt anchor.

    The notch in the Obituary Column with a two bolt a...

    Rappel Rock from Orifice Wall

    Rappel Rock from Orifice Wall

    Me on the summit of Rappel Rock after climbing the 5 pitch Standard Route-Black Quacker link up.

    Me on the summit of Rappel Rock after climbing the...


    Comments on Rappel Rock Add Comment
    Show which comments
    By Anonymous Coward
    Apr 12, 2004

    We did this route back in 2002.

    We started on the 5.9+ at the bottom for the first pitch and then did the 5.7 variation to finish out.

    The hanging belay was a bit uncomfortable as I had to wait for a long while due to some rope management issues.

    The chicken head pitch was fun.

    Overall, the views from this route are incredible.

    By Christian
    From: Tucson, Az
    Jul 10, 2006

    What's the belay situation at the tree ledge where the first pitch of most of these climbs ends up?

    Is there just one tree or other belays to be had i.e. can more than one party belay on this ledge at the same time?

    Thanks

    By 1Eric Rhicard
    Jul 10, 2006

    More than enough anchors and room for more than one party Christian.

    By Jerry Cagle
    From: Tucson, AZ
    Jul 20, 2012

    Does anyone ever actually rappel Rappel Rock...?

    By Thomas R. Aguilera
    From: Tucson, AZ
    Oct 15, 2012

    Just did a night ascent of Bender Axen Black Quaker and all that good stuff. Makes for an excellent night outing.

    By Geir
    From: Tucson, AZ
    Oct 15, 2012

    Nice!! How were the temperatures?

    By Thomas R. Aguilera
    From: Tucson, AZ
    Oct 19, 2012

    Temps were a breezy 50 degrees, Tucson looks pretty beautiful up there at night.