The Overlook Rock Climbing

An enjoyable basalt, mostly sport climbing crag that also offers some nice gear-protected crack climbs, the Overlook is generally regarded as the finest crag at White Rock.

There are two sides to the Overlook--a northwest aspect and a southeast aspect --so climbing can be done year round. Warm winter days are awesome on the southeast side. Almost all climbs have bolted anchors, included the gear-protected crack climbs.

Most cracks were toproped in the 70s, with bolted routes put up in the 80s and no more new route potential really exists, although the original White Rock bolting agreement (1989) along with the amended agreement (2004) allows for new bolted face climbs to be established at the Overlook [per this agreement, establishing new bolted routes is not permitted at some of the other White Rock "trad" cliffs].

Although there are some new climbs in this area, the original guide to the Overlook, the 1991 Sport Climbing in New Mexico book by Samet & Jett, covers it well. The author of that book was kind enough to allow the Los Alamos Mountaineers to reproduce it digitally and post it on the club's website.