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1 - Lower Highway
Arizona
> Southern Arizona
> Mt Lemmon (Sant…
> Mt Lemmon (Catalina H…
Description
This area covers climbs from the bottom of the highway (milepost 0) up to Kessler's Corner (milepost 8.6).
The lower portion of the Catalina Highway offers varied climbing in a Sonoran Desert setting. Warm temps among towering saguaro cactus make climbing here a unique experience.
Rock quality in this area tends to be poorer and more varied than higher on the mountain, so take that under consideration. Still, in the winter months, the crags here are hard to beat for climate and accessibility.
Getting There
From Tanque Verde Road take the Catalina HIghway (General Hitchcock Highway) heading NNE.
Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
to try the bolted lines there let us know what you think, ;) Jan 10, 2011
The two on the right were good. Worth the stop for sure. 5.9ish maybe easy .10.
The left hand one was bolted strangly and contrived if you tried to stay one the line of the bolts. Still worth doing but the worst of the 3 for sure. Some 5.10 moving on this one. Jan 11, 2011
Tucson, AZ
n az
Tucson, AZ
I found three bolted lines. From left to right, they go 5.10a, 5.9, and 5.6 (imo). Leftmost climb offers a contrived 5.10a first half, then fun juggy climbing above. Middle climb sports a blocky start up to a roof/arete, pulling left around the arete is the fun 5.9 crux (watch crumbly left hand sidepull here - it blew on me). Rightmost climb is a blocky 5.6 that is consistent to the grade the entire way with solid clipping stances making for a good potential first lead. There may be other lines here that I didn't see (since bolts and chains are camoed) but I took a pretty thorough look around.
Some of the rock here is hollow/crumbly and belayers should definitely wear a helmet. Nice camoed bolts and 2 minute approach. Still unsure of who put it up but thanks for bolting and camoing! Curious to know the FA's thoughts on names/ratings for these climbs. Oct 18, 2015
The Old Pueblo, AZ
tucson, az
Mariposa