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East Animas Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in East Animas

A. Triple Tree Area 9 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 9

B. Yosemite Crack Zone 9 / 1 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 9

C. Stargazer 4 / 7 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 11

D. Bedrock 10 / 8 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 16

E. Byrd's 5 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 8

F. Maxx 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 3

G. Apple Cider 21 / 10 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 29

H. Overview & Waterfall 2 / 11 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 13

I. Watch Crystal 22 / 15 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 33

J. Jabba Buttress 10 / 14 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 24

K. Boundary Line Wall 3 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 4

K. Solarium 2 / 3 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 7

Explore this area in 3D

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Elevation:	6,593 ft	2,010 m
GPS:	37.3183, -107.836 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	332,868 total · 1,471/month
Shared By:	e Dixon on Apr 28, 2006 · Updates
Admins:	Leo Paik, John McNamee, Frances Fierst, Monty, Monomaniac, Tyler KC Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

East Animas (East A) is located just outside town and is the local trad climbing hangout. Nowadays there are many fine bolted climbs as well, however, many of these do require some gear. The rock is Sandstone of varying quality. The routes are one or two pitches in length and range in difficulty from 5.6 to 5.14. There are several area classics on the Watch Crystal, which is one of the best pieces of stone in the Durango area. There are many other scattered gems, plenty of adventure, some loose rock, good old-fashion sandbags, and overall good fun to be had!

East A is west facing and the cliff is shady in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. Typically the best seasons are spring and fall. Summer mornings and winter afternoons can also be pleasant.

Getting There

The area is located on the east side of the Animas Valley. You can see the rock when driving north out of town. Take County Road 250 north from Durango for almost a couple of miles, and locate a dirt parking lot on the east side of the road (37.318202, -107.836032). It is just past an old barn. There is a sign for East Animas Climbing in the parking lot. The approach trail leads to the base of the Watch Crystal. The surrounding land is private, so respect the locals that live in the area. PLEASE PICK UP YOUR BUTTS AND BEER CANS. The parking area has seen some abuse and none of us want that kind of attention being drawn to the area or the local climbing community.

Google Earth Map

166 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at East Animas

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 98 ● Byrd's Classic Trad 2 pitches E Byrd's
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a 110 ● Simians to the Sun Trad, Sport 2 pitches I. Watch Crystal
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 127 ● Pale Skinned Nebraskan (submitte… Sport J. Jabba Buttress
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b 80 ● Apes of Wrath Sport 2 pitches I. Watch Crystal
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 60 ● Durangutan Trad, Sport 3 pitches I. Watch Crystal
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 81 ● Watch Crystal Crack Trad 2 pitches I. Watch Crystal
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 50 ● Crime & Punishment Sport I. Watch Crystal
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a PG13 23 ● Punta Magna Trad 2 pitches G. Apple Cider
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 24 ● Jailhouse Monkey (on dope) Trad, Sport 2 pitches I. Watch Crystal
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 38 ● The Love Movement Sport J. Jabba Buttress
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a 22 ● Blue Light Special Trad J. Jabba Buttress
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a 21 ● Barney's Crack Trad D. Bedrock
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b 25 ● Power Glide Sport I. Watch Crystal
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b 14 ● Valhalla Trad, Sport 2 pitches G. Apple Cider
5.14a 8b+ 32 X+ 32 E8 7a 4 ● Lost In Space Sport C. Stargazer