Elevation: 6,800 ft
GPS: 36.342, -105.7394
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Shared By: Mike Howard on Dec 15, 2006
Admins: Mike Howard, Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB Brinckerhoff, Marta Reece, Drew Chojnowski

Bat Cave, Afterburner and beyond

Steep face to overhanging cave climbing on tall Rio Grande Corridor basalt. Classic high-desert setting overlooking the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Rio Pueblo southwest of Taos. East-facing with great early morning sun. Cool in the late afternoon during the summer months. This is the half-mile-long cliff band left of the Bat Cave. Approach on climbers' trail about 15 min from the car. The walls from north to south include: Bat Cave, Time Bandits, Gold Rush, Afterburner, Monster, New Era and Wayne Manor. Look for ratings at base of each climb sharpied on small stones.

Expect secluded climbing with beautiful views to the Rio Grande Gorge and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.

Long sport routes (up to 100 feet) on mostly good basalt. Bring gear for established cracks. Some routes are mixed and most are bolts only. About 40 routes so far with a number of them in the 5.12 range.

World class whitewater, fly fishing and mountain biking surround the area. The stunning camping sites available along the class II float of the Orilla Verde State Park a few miles below this wall make this a multisport destination.

Helmets recommended. Not easily top-roped.

Getting There

From south: Turn west at Pilar on NM 570 toward Carson. After several riverside miles, cross the Taos Junction Bridge over the Rio Grande onto NM 567 and climb out of the gorge on a gravel 2-wheel-drive road. Park at the La Vista Verde trailhead halfway up to the rim.

From north: Take NM 64 West across Rio Grande Gorge Bridge to West Rim Road South. Turn left onto pavement at junction with road to Carson (NM567) and then descend east into Rio Grande Gorge on gravel road (toward Pilar). Continue down to small parking area at La Vista Verde (North side of road).

To find climbers' trail, cross over wash on road heading uphill. Immediately after wash look for cairns on the other side of the road and pick up trail through boulders on the northwest side of the wash. This climbs steeply up to the Bat Cave, Afterburner and other walls.

Guidebook: Taos Rock: Climbs and Boulders of Northern New Mexico. Author:Jay Foley Publisher: Sharp End Publishing, 2005
Best resource for the established climbs in this area.

Guide Service - Mountain Skills climbingschoolusa.com/index…

54 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Vista Verde Crag

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 11
Gavilan
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 26
Raya Negra
Sport
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 12
Traditionally Incorrect
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 25
Holeistic Healing
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 7
Cracula
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 9
Tacoma Man
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 8
Rifle-esque
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 12
Afterburner
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 12
Crystal Therapy
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 18
Big Howie
Sport
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 3
Gorge Us
Sport
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 4
Flying Squirrel
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 4
Path to Enlightenment
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 7
Fang Shui
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 3
Letting Go
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Gavilan 3. Gold Rush Wall
 11
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Raya Negra 3. Gold Rush Wall
 26
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
Traditionally Incorrect 3. Gold Rush Wall
 12
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Sport
Holeistic Healing 1. Bat Cave
 25
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Cracula 5. Monster Wall
 7
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Tacoma Man 1. Bat Cave
 9
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
Rifle-esque 1. Bat Cave
 8
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Afterburner 4. Afterburner Face
 12
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Crystal Therapy 1. Bat Cave
 12
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Big Howie 4. Afterburner Face
 18
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Gorge Us 3. Gold Rush Wall
 3
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Flying Squirrel 6. Wayne Manor
 4
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Path to Enlightenment 1. Bat Cave
 4
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Fang Shui 1. Bat Cave
 7
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Letting Go 1. Bat Cave
 3
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Vista Verde Crag »

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