Advise on AZ

yello!

Traveling with a friend to AZ on Feb 15th for a few days. She is not much of the climber but willing to be a belay bitch, and try to climb outside of the gym setting. Mostly, we are just planning on driving, hiking, tourism and all that. . But some climbing would be nice.

Looking for recommendations on sport climbs around Grand Canyon, Phoenix, Antelope. Also, if you want to climb with us- pm me. Beer on us.

Thanks

Grand Canyon and Antelope are going to be really cold around mid February. Theres a spot about an hour and 15 outside of Phoenix called "The Pond" with pretty easy access and good temps during that time of the year. A decent fold out guide is available at local gyms and the Tempe or Paradise Valley REI's.

Sounds like you are going to be driving from North AZ down to Phoenix so you might also consider Jack's Canyon. Easy approach, well protected routes with a wide range of grades. Also, unless there is unusual inclement weather, it is nice in February with at least one or two areas in the direct sun at any given time of day. The Pit is also an option if the weather is good as it catches a lot of sun also. It is just a 10 minute detour off the I-17, practically in Flagstaff.

Antelope canyon is 25 minutes from:
mountainproject.com/v/the-m…
which is a shameless plug at a local chosspile. Pretty good bouldering if you find the right lines though.

The Grand Canyon is going to suck due to the elevation mostly. Temps are not ideal there right now.

Climb at The Pit outside of Flagstaff on a sunny day. Access is super easy and the mountainproject beta is highly functional. Very fun limestone.

Watch the weather, Flagstaff has various areas. the pit, priest draw for bouldering oak creek canyon, pump house, going down to phnx you then have Sedona lots of multi pitch probably not the best for someone who isnt much into climbing. But there is sport in a few areas. You then have the option to go to Prescott and chino valley. Prescott has groom creek (bouldering) granite dells (Ropes) Thumb Butte (ropes and bouldering) Granite mountain (ropes and bouldering) and chino has a sweet hidden area called the promised land (ropes) you then have some areas heading to phnx from Prescott none that i have really dived into. phnx has south mountain and camel back also the superstitions. If you want to know anymore I used to live in Prescott for years and have most of the guides for the state just pm me.

There are A LOT of options around Flagstaff! For sport climbing, The Pit is a popular local pick being so close to town. But if its too cold, then going into Sedona to The Planetarium is another great option. Then theres some other areas further away such as Jacks Canyon or Hobo Jungle. There is some good bouldering too at Priest Draw, but depending on the weather it may be hard to get back there. In my opinion The Anvils in Sedona has some of the best bouldering in NAZ, but you'll have to cross the creek, which is quite cold this time of year.
Have safe, and be fun!

A fun climb around phoenix is the Praying Monk on Camelback. Easy, but a fun climb. You can even get your friend to lead it maybe.

Try the Mine area of Queen Creek. About an hour east of Phoenix. I think you have to register these days. Short sport in a unique area in which access is now threatened by a massive copper mine.

queencreekclimbing.com/why-…

If you only lead 5.5 your options are limited in Flagstaff, Jacks Canyon was flooded yesterday. If it is warm, you may try the Overlook in Oak Creek CAnyon. Further south you may find lots to do in your range in the McDowells or Queen Creek/Oak Flat area.