All Locations > New Mexico > Albuquerque Area > Sandia Mountains > La Cueva Canyon (Upper)

Science Friction Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in Science Friction

L › R R › L A › Z

	1993: A Face Odyssey T 5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
	Little Bits T 5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
	Pub Draught Guinness T 5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
	Short Timing T 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c

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Elevation:	9,973 ft	3,040 m
GPS:	35.20375, -106.44908 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	7,523 total · 33/month
Shared By:	Shirtless Mike on Aug 22, 2007 · Updates
Admins:	Jason Halladay, Mike Hoskins, Anna Brown Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: 2026/2027 SANDIA CREST CLOSURE ALERT - Beginning as early as APRIL 1, 2026, 140 acres at the top of the Sandia Mountains will be under a closure order. Details

Beginning as early as APRIL 1, 2026, 140 acres at the top of the Sandia Mountains will be under a closure order so the Forest Service can complete two different projects. The first project is an extensive "fuel reduction project" and the second is the demolition/remodeling of the whole upper parking lot and crest house. The Crest Road and all parking areas above the 10k parking lot will be closed in addition to the 140 acres of forest that will be under going the fuel reduction work. The Forest Service will be actively maintaining a project page on their website to communicate with the public: fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/news…

Description

See Mick Schein's Sandia Rock guide for a complete description.

A hidden area with clean steep faces. These areas consist of a few easier trad climbs along with some harder mixed climbs. Consists of two different levels, Science Friction being the upper wall and Windward wall being the lower wall.

Getting There

Approach from the crest from the crest spur trail to the junction with the La Luz. At the junction head west (towards Albuquerque) on a primitive climber trail head up to the ridge above Echo Canyon.

Follow the ridge first south then west until you reach the cliffband. You will pass several don't disturb boundary marker signs on the way. Locate a pair of rap anchors (tough to spot) and do a 150' rappel down A Face Odyssey to the base of Science Friction Wall. There is a huge bolt halfway down which you might be able to stop and do a second rappel if needed.

4 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Science Friction

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

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 29 ● Pub Draught Guinness Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 5 ● Little Bits Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 5 ● Short Timing Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 13 ● 1993: A Face Odyssey Trad 2 pitches