Red Wall  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  3,390. Good page?    Administrators:  Aaron Hobson, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  George Perkins on Jan 25, 2008 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Left side of Red Wall. Photo and description by S...

Description 

Red Wall is the tallest cliff at Socorro Box, about 170' tall. It faces southwest and gets sun from late morning to late afternoon. About 15 climbs are on Red Wall- some are decent moderate sport climbs, and some trad climbs. Many of these stop about halfway up, but a few lines continue all the way up. In general, the 2nd pitches (other than "Big Red Roof") are not worth it; the rock is less good, the climbing easier and most of the 2-pitch climbs require a walk off if you do not have two ropes. The Corner Block, at the left end of Red Wall, hosts 5 more routes too. Despite its height and fun climbing, Red Wall is less popular than some of the other cliffs nearby, perhaps because of incomplete info and that many older climbs require gear to supplement bolts for protection.

As with the rest of the Box, the rock looks suspect but is quite solid.

Getting There 

This is the big cliff on the East side of the Box Canyon. Hike north from the parking area about 300 yards; you could also park off US-60, which is closer. To get to the base of the climbs, it is easiest to follow the trail up near the Red Wall's left side (near the Corner Block -a 40' boulder with bolted lines on it), rather than going straight up the slope.

Climbs, left to right (with lots of help from Karl Kiser) 

Fledgling (5.8, bolts + gear, anchor shared with Left Wing)
Left Wing (5.9+, bolts + gear)
Air France (5.11c, bolts + gear, optional 5.8 trad 2nd pitch)

These climbs share a 2-bolt anchor, or you can continue to the top of the cliff on the 2nd pitch of Hawk's Nest:
Hawk's Nest (5.7, 5.7, 2 pitches, trad)
Gun Powder (5.10c, trad)
TNT (5.11+, bolted)

Molotov Cocktail (5.11a, bolted, anchor shared with Fire Cracker)
Fire Cracker (5.10, bolted)
Big Red Roof (5.10b, 5.11a, 2 pitches, bolts + gear, start shared with 'Diagonal')

These climbs share a 2-bolt anchor, or you can continue to the top of the cliff on the 2nd pitch of Red Wall:
The Diagonal (5.9R, 2 bolts + gear)
Earwig (5.10-, 2 pitches, 1st pitch: bolts + several pieces, 2nd pitch: 5.7 mixed bolts/gear, same as Red Wall)
Red Wall (5.7, bolts + gear, 2 pitches)

Spiderman (5.8, 5.6, 2 pitches, bolts + gear)
Phase Dance (5.11a)
Unknown (5.10, bolts + gear, anchor shared with 'Monkey Business')
Monkey Business (5.11a, bolts + gear)
Narcolepsy Nightmare(?) (5.10, all bolted; also a bolted 2nd pitch prob. not worth doing)
La Sombra (aka Lopsy Lou) (5.9, extension to 5.8 var. of Lucid Fairyland, all bolted)
Unknown (5.8 variation to Lucid Fairyland, all bolted)
Lucid Fairyland (5.10, all bolted)
Leisure Sport (5.8/5.8+, all bolted, short)
Trunk Monkey (5.8, bolts + gear)

The Classics

Featured Route For Red Wall

Spiderman 5.9  NM : Socorro Area : ... : Red Wall

Gave this a "Great" rating just for P1. P2 is okay. Can rap from the top of P1 with a 60 meter rope. Don't let the 5.9 rating scare you away as it applies to the P1 variation and is well protected.P1 5.8R?: Trend left over ledges, then up and back right to first lone bolt (run-out). Then move right and up to a nice left-trending finger crack with good pro on easier terrain. At end of this crack find bolt above and continue up to a horizontal weakness with gear placements. Make a move or t...[more]   Browse More Classics in NM

Photos of Red Wall Slideshow

Add Photo

BETA PHOTO: Some two-pitch trad / mixed routes on Red Wall.