The Arizona Strip Rock Climbing

The Arizona Strip is the northwest corner of the state which is somewhat logistically isolated from the rest of the state due to the Grand Canyon. This arid land is a playground for Southern Utah and Nevada climbers looking for limestone sport crags and predictable conditions.

The Virgin River Gorge is perhaps the most recognizable crag and known for the route Necessary Evil. Bolted by Boone Speed and first climbed by Chris Sharma in 1997, this route was one of the earliest to receive the 5.14c grade in the United States. Interstate 15 winds it’s way through this large canyon. Mesquite sits just over the state line in Nevada to the west, and St. George is not that far into Utah to the east. The routes are tall, the stone is immaculate, and the approaches are short. For the past couple decades many of the best climbers in the country have spent days and months redpointing the confirmed, elite level classics on these walls despite the air braking echoes from the big rigs rolling through.

Lime Kiln Canyon has been growing in popularity for the last fifteen years and offers a markedly different ambiance than its neighbor to the north. Lime Kiln is south of Mesquite, NV and near the state line. Again the walls are tall, the routes are long, and offer up slabby to slightly overhanging terrain. The Kiln also boasts a handful of multi pitch sport routes with modest grades. This is a somewhat fragile area, so please be respectful all around and please help keep it clean.