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Summit Crags
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Fortress, The 
Murray Wall, The 
PPG Rock 
Rappel Rock 
Ravelin, The 
Ravens, The 

Summit Crags 


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Elevation: 8,500'
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Administrators: Kristine Hoffman, Greg Opland, James DeRoussel, JJ Schlick, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: James DeRoussel on Jul 11, 2010

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Closed to climbing, March 15-June 30 MORE INFO >>>


The summit crags, from left to right: Rappel Rock,...

Description 

The Summit Crags, as the name implies, are located near the uppermost elevations of Mount Lemmon. They are home to some of the longest and highest quality routes in the Santa Catalinas.

The seasonal raptor nesting closures limit the season here to late summer and autumn. Be particularly aware of afternoon storms and lightning if visiting this area early in the season.


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).


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Summit Crags:
Not So Easy Arch   5.5     Trad, 2 pitches, 300 feet   Rappel Rock
Standard Route   5.6     Trad, 4 pitches, 450 feet   Rappel Rock
Black Quacker   5.7     Trad, 450 feet   Rappel Rock
Bender-Axen   5.8     Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Rappel Rock
The Rupley Route   5.9     Trad, 4 pitches, 450 feet   The Fortress
Quick Death   5.9     Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Rappel Rock
Steel Crazy   5.9     Sport, 4 pitches, 450 feet   The Fortress
Chiboni   5.9+     Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet   Rappel Rock
MoMo Buttress   5.9+     Sport, 1 pitch, 140 feet   The Ravens
Fort Stress   5.9+     Sport, 4 pitches, 400 feet   The Fortress
If You Bolt It They Will Come   5.10     Sport, 1 pitch, 145 feet   The Ravens
Voodoo Child   5.10+     Sport, 1 pitch, 100 feet   Rappel Rock
Helm's Deep   5.10+     Trad, 3 pitches, 400 feet   Rappel Rock
El Curvo   5.10+     Sport, 1 pitch, 130 feet   The Ravens
Swing Set   5.11+     Sport, 1 pitch, 140 feet   The Ravens
Hard Day at The Orifice   5.12b     Sport, 1 pitch, 60 feet   The Fortress
Orifice Politics   5.12     Sport, 105 feet   The Fortress
Eureka   5.13-     Sport, 75 feet   The Fortress
Coup de' tat   5.13     Sport, 100 feet   The Fortress
Granite of the Apes   5.13     Sport, 90 feet   The Fortress
Browse More Classics in Summit Crags

Featured Route For Summit Crags
Brigette with the Yo You tower beneath her on pitch 3, Rupley Rt.

The Rupley Route 5.9  AZ : Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalin... : ... : The Fortress
The Rupley Route is a great mixed face and crack line that runs all the way up the Fortress. Although rated a moderate 5.9, the short crux face bit on first pitch was a little surprising in it's difficulty. It felt harder to me than some of the 10's at Munchkin Wall. Having said that, the bolts are pretty close together and you can always yard on the draws to get through the hard part if you get stuck.The route starts kinda left-middle at the base of the south face. The route Steel Crazy starts ...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ


Photos of Summit Crags Slideshow Add Photo
smiles all around

smiles all around

The end of summer.

The end of summer.

Tucson from 9,000 ft.

Tucson from 9,000 ft.

Toofast enjoying a bit of winter near the summit

Toofast enjoying a bit of winter near the summit


Comments on Summit Crags Add Comment
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By Jimbo
Jun 13, 2012

+1 Andy. Lots and lots of other crags on the Lemmon. Be patient everyone.