Looking for a spring break trip

Hey MP,

I'm looking for a good spring break climbing destination. I'm in Western North Carolina and driving somewhere isn't to big of an issue. it will probably be a group of 4 people of varying climbing abilities. I was considering J-Tree, Sinks Canyon and Vedauwoo, preferably somewhere that will be warm-ish during the day in early March. What kind of ideas do you have?

Fisher Towers?

El Potrero Chico

magicedspotrerochico.com

Great blog Ed! I've been following it for a while and always get psyched to head down there when I do.

Cochise Stronghold in S. AZ rocks! Not sure but I think the weather will be good that time of year. Good selection of climbs at all grades. Mostly multipitch climbing, some routes are bolted and some take gear. Some people seem to think it's run out but if you're used to NC then you'll be fine.

It's a long drive for a spring break trip though. You could always fly to Tucson and rent a minivan. It would give you at least an extra day or two of climbing. Mt. Lemmon has a lot of good cragging and is close to Tucson as well.

Fisher Towers sounded cool but I'm not a super strong climber or very experienced with aid climbing. Red Rocks is the other serious option. What is the best guide book for Red Rocks?

The Red Rocks guide by Jerry Handren is pretty good. The place offers a lot of good moderate long trads routes. Zion and Indian Creek are nice in March, too.

We were actually talking about taking a SB trip out to NC for stone mtn and rumbling bald. Whats the weather usually like around mid-late march out that way? Ik cold, but how cold?

Red Rocks and Joshua tree should both be in prime time climbing season in March. They both offer different types of climbing, and they're only a few hours apart, so if you're traveling all the way across the country to get here you might as well hit them both.

RE Red Rocks, the Handren guide is excellent.

BSU_Zac wrote:We were actually talking about taking a SB trip out to NC for stone mtn and rumbling bald. Whats the weather usually like around mid-late march out that way? Ik cold, but how cold?

Both Stone mtn and the Bald are good in cold weather. For warm weather, I'd say go to Moore's wall and/or north side of Looking Glass. Don't forget to check out Laurel Knob while you are there. The place is amazing to say the least.

I wouldn't go to the Fischer Towers if you enjoy climbing on good rock. If you're overjoyed at the thought of climbing on vertical dirt, then you may enjoy it.

All my friends always went to El Potrero Chico for spring break (Driving from Montreal!) while I stayed back and went ice climbing. I think it's just about all sport climbing down there though.

Cory wrote:Red Rocks and Joshua tree should both be in prime time climbing season in March. They both offer different types of climbing, and they're only a few hours apart, so if you're traveling all the way across the country to get here you might as well hit them both. RE Red Rocks, the Handren guide is excellent.

+1 - we have great climbing here in March, and the Handren guide is all I use anymore. Have a great trip!

You might want to check out the Red Rock Rendezvous as well, March 18-20th - great clinics and all kinds of climbing!

mountaingear.com/events/def…

I would love to go to Red Rocks Rendezvous but out spring break is early March. Red Rocks is a definite though.

As for the NC question climbing in March is great here and it shouldn't be to cold. (50ish). Laurel Knob is a must see. Rumbling Bald and Stone are great too, my two favorite places in NC to climb. Let me know when you get here. I would love to meet some more climbers.

As everyone else is suggesting, Red Rocks is great at that time. I'v been there my last three spring breaks and have had great weather every time. J-tree and Vedawoo are both good, but if you haven't climbed in RR then go there, or as Ed suggested, El Potrero Chico is supposed to be awesome too. Good luck!