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Quartz Mountain

Oklahoma

Description

Specifically known as Baldy Point Climbing Area within Quartz Mountain State Park (QMSP).

Most routes at this winter spot see shade only early in the morning and then sun almost all day long. World class granite will test your friction skills and the bold routes will test your nerve. RX climbing at its best. The locals are a very friendly, tight knit community who all seem to share a kinship with the "rock in the farmer’s wheatfield".

Please be sure to pack out all your trash, avoid impacting any sensitive areas, and leave your hammer-n-nails or your drills at home. All the climbing is clean and new fixed pro requires pre-authorization from QMSP who reviews bolting applications with the WMCC’s Quartz Bolting Committee. You can email the QBC at abc.wmcc@gmail.com for information on the bolting application process.

Be warned that most lines designated as “sport” here on mountain project just mean that it is only bolt protected and there are unlikely to be any opportunities for natural gear. It does NOT guarantee the route to be a safe sport route. Here at Quartz long runouts are common.

Getting There

From Altus, OK, drive north on 283/6 about 20 miles till you intersect with 44 where you will take a right. 4-5 miles until you will see a left turn for Quartz Mountain on 44a which you take for about 3 miles staying to the left until you cross a small creek with a wellhouse on the right (this dirt road will take you straight over to the base but is rough and can be muddy) which you pass up looking for the next paved right. The sign here has been removed due to the repave job as of Fall 2007. Taking this paved road north a mile take another right which is still clearly marked, over to the wall and park in the lot next to the picnic tables.

Guidebook

The latest guide is Oklahoma Rock A Climber's Guide by Tony Mayse. Available at most local gyms and shops, as well as at Sharp End Books.

Quote from Mark Herndon

"I've been to the Valley, Yosemite, but the face climbing at Quartz Mountain in Oklahoma is much better."

taken from Oklahoma Rock - written by Doug Robinson

The rock at Quartz had been a pleasant surprise, but the climbs were downright unbelievable, bold to a standard seldom seen elsewhere. They bespoke committed vision backed solidly by technique--the boys had learned a lot since the days of leather belts and moldy ropes--and seemingly unshakable mind control. Scanning the guidebook, I could see many such routes designated by an "xx" after the rating. The definition was chilling: "xx means a ground fall is very possible."

Read the full story here at the WMCC site

Gear

Rope: A 70m rope is really helpful at Quartz as there is a descent route from most areas that can be done with 1 (or sometimes 2) rap(s) using a single 70m, rather than one rappel using 2 ropes. A few exceptions like South America wall exist, and will require 2 ropes anyway. Always knot your rope ends and when in doubt, trail a second rope!

Rack: many of the routes have few enough protection opportunites to make use of more than a single rack, but some of the easier crack are long enough that you could make use of doubles in every size. 6-12 draws/slings for clipping bolts and extending gear placements. It’s handy to have a couple locking draws for extra reassurance on the sparsely bolted slabs. When in doubt take extra gear.

Camping

Camping is available at Quartz Mountain Nature Park

https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6151

There is no overnight camping/parking at Mount Baldy, with 2 exceptions. The annual Fall Gathering (typically the first weekend of November) and the Spring Fling (typically the first weekend of April). These dates can vary.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Starscape at the 2019 Fall Gathering
[Hide Photo] Starscape at the 2019 Fall Gathering
Elisha
[Hide Photo] Elisha
Chase enjoying the rock after bolt replacement work. 2019 Fall Gathering.
[Hide Photo] Chase enjoying the rock after bolt replacement work. 2019 Fall Gathering.
On the NW side not sure what climb it is but an obvious line
[Hide Photo] On the NW side not sure what climb it is but an obvious line
First light on Baldy
[Hide Photo] First light on Baldy
some okc boys making the jump after soloing the snake's head at the 2016 fall gathering
[Hide Photo] some okc boys making the jump after soloing the snake's head at the 2016 fall gathering
Brian Jung mid leap from the snakes head to the boulder
[Hide Photo] Brian Jung mid leap from the snakes head to the boulder
Matt King on Moose head<br>
<br>
Photo: Ryan Ray
[Hide Photo] Matt King on Moose head Photo: Ryan Ray
Leap Off Snakes Head
[Hide Photo] Leap Off Snakes Head
View from the parking lot BITD, Russel Hooper's Cherokee and Raleigh's van by the fence. Note fliers for the first "gathering" in the back window of the van.
[Hide Photo] View from the parking lot BITD, Russel Hooper's Cherokee and Raleigh's van by the fence. Note fliers for the first "gathering" in the back window of the van.
View from the parking lot during the Fall Gathering of 2006.  Such an incredible close knit group of climbers at Quartz.
[Hide Photo] View from the parking lot during the Fall Gathering of 2006. Such an incredible close knit group of climbers at Quartz.
Rosemary Carlisle on Amazon Woman! Vintage Quartz vibes taken from Oklahoma Today, Sept-Oct 1987 issue.
[Hide Photo] Rosemary Carlisle on Amazon Woman! Vintage Quartz vibes taken from Oklahoma Today, Sept-Oct 1987 issue.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Travis Timm
Austin, tx
[Hide Comment] I love how the stats for this wall make it seem pretty chill. It's like, "Oh yeah most the routs are a moderate grade and almost half of them are bolted!" Wrong. Read the discription, this little mountain will test the nerves of even the boldest climbers. Yet, this is why we love it :). My point: If you are planning a trip to quartz, do your research first and be prepared. Oct 30, 2013
Preston Pettigrew
Denver, CO
[Hide Comment] Baldy Point Bouldering Guides are available through me! They are homemade and I have a few left! Feb 1, 2017
[Hide Comment] the Baldy point marker is in the wrong spot it is actually where the Atlantic route marker is. Nov 28, 2017
[Hide Comment] Is there any camping available around Quartz Mountain? Jul 16, 2020
Drew Nevius
Tulsa, OK
[Hide Comment] Camping is just east down the road at the state park Jul 23, 2020
John Penca
North Little Rock
[Hide Comment] Whoever wrote the above ratings is delusional. Any route at Quartz that has an R designation is hardly a sport route (unless it has been retro-bolted since I climbed there). The routes put up by Raleigh, Thomas and Frank are bold unless you are climbing several grades below your limit. If you get on an R rated route, you need to have your head game in place and your belayer has to pay attention.. Nov 30, 2020
[Hide Comment] Howdy Okie ballers, I'm in the area for a week or so and wanna go bouldering . I've done a ton of lines out in Charon's and at Quarts over the last 15 years , many i think are FAs. Anyone wanna go out with a sort of veteran of the area ? Nov 6, 2021