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The Great Potato (Mt. Ore Ida) Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Great Potato (Mt. Ore Ida)

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East Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R

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Elevation:	8,666 ft
GPS:	33.884, -107.473 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	1,801 total · 45/month
Shared By:	Jason Halladay on Sep 30, 2017
Admins:	Jason Halladay, Anthony Stout, LeeAB Brinckerhoff, Marta Reece, Drew Chojnowski Page Updates (admin only)

Access Issue: COVID-19 New Mexico Requirements - Updated Nov. 16, 2020 Details

Effective November 16th, 2020, please do not travel into New Mexico to climb.

On November 16, 2020, the New Mexico state governor updated the executive order (cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/…) requiring all visitors from out of state to self-isolate or self-quarantine for a period of at least 14 days from the date of their entry into the State of New Mexico or for the duration of their presence in the State, whichever is shorter. The terms "self-isolate" or "self-quarantine" refer the voluntary physical separation of a person or group of people in a residence or other place of lodging. Any person who is self-isolating or self-quarantining may only leave a residence or place of lodging to receive medical care and should not allow others into the residence or place of lodging except for those providing medical care, emergency response, or other individuals designated by the New Mexico Department of Health.

The executive order also closes all New Mexico State Parks to non-NM residents.

This Executive Order shall take effect on November 16, 2020 and shall remain in effect through the duration of the public health emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-004 and any extensions of that emergency declaration or until it is rescinded.

Additionally, NM state guidance requires all persons to wear a mask anytime they are out in public, including outdoor recreation areas.

Description

The Great Potato (a.k.a. Mt. Ore Ida) is the most obvious and impressive tower formation in Potato Canyon. At about 200’ high on its south side and over a 100’ high on the north side (it’s on the side of a small ridge so the downhill side is taller) it’s an awesome sight to be seen. I first read about the formation in Philip Simon’s “Tower Tales” story where the tower is fabled to have pockets and huecos all over it. In reality, it’s a relatively poor-quality rock for climbing with, as best I can tell, not a single pocket or hueco on it. This helps explain the lack of traffic climbing on this awesome formation.
Nonetheless, there is a single route to its complex, wild summit...the two pitch east ridge. While the east ridge goes at a modest 5.6, the rock is highly friable and natural protection opportunities are completely non-existent. This is a not a climb for those new to choss--one must pull down, not out and steel the nerves despite the easy climbing grade.