El Rito

Yeah, I don’t think that there is anything wrong with climbing responsibly and self sufficiently within your own viral pod during the pandemic, but this past weekend we ran into two huge groups (7+), one of them from out of state. Makes me question the climbing community’s ability to police itself.

I've been to El Rito three times in the past four years and M-F it was pretty empty but Sat/Sun got a little crazy.  I do trad but stick well below my limit on gear and prefer sport unless it's worth the view (Flat Irons comes to mind).  I've had friends hit the trad area and I hear it's pretty cool but long way to drive for a 5.6 trad route.  HCR weather is looking up next week and is only a 5 hr trip from my place.  Still might be a bit crowded for me but man that place is easy and fun.

Jemez (Las Conchas area) was pretty zoo-like this last weekend as it was Memorial Day on Monday.  It is usually full of hikers, people fishing, kids playing in the river, but it was some of the climbers that were doing a little too much.  Large groups, multiple crag doggos walking on your rope, and a general lack of respect for personal space was the name of the game.  In the end, it was not the amount of people but rather their etiquette.   But hey, I love it when you throw your gear on top of mine, or use my pack as a bench to put on you climbing shoes.......

the schmuck wrote: Yeah, I don’t think that there is anything wrong with climbing responsibly and self sufficiently within your own viral pod during the pandemic, but this past weekend we ran into two huge groups (7+), one of them from out of state. Makes me question the climbing community’s ability to police itself.

The climbing community is no better at policing themselves than any other user group. No reason to think they would be. Once the inmates are set free all bets are off. My entire career was as a therapist for inmates. All bets are off, unless you bet on people finally free again.

Parking for El Rito Sport Area was full on Sunday 6/7. Mostly CO plates. I don't climb there on weekends, and I'm not complaining. If you want to avoid COVID transmission, you might avoid El Rito on weekends.
--An entitled local who doesn't want to be responsible for your grandma's death.

Logan Petersonwrote: Parking for El Rito Sport Area was full on Sunday 6/7. Mostly CO plates. I don't climb there on weekends, and I'm not complaining. If you want to avoid COVID transmission, you might avoid El Rito on weekends.
--An entitled local who doesn't want to be responsible for your grandma's death.

As someone planning a trip to the Rad Wall this weekend, this is exactly what I DIDN'T want to hear! Thank's for the heads up. Changing plans to find some solitude in the Sandias.

Bravo Foxtrot wrote:
Like CosSprings is really any better than Texas.  Fuck all y’all, seriously.

Funny to read these comments while great and uncrowded routes await in the Rio Grande Gorge. Uptopian Vistas, Vista Verde, The Bend, Eagles Nest, Panoramic Wall and other cliffs rarely see more a handful of climbers on any given day.   

So perhaps let’s not mention these “other cliffs.” The crowds can have El Rito, the shit saturated camping, and its 80 choss-pile routes. 

Frank Steinwrote: So perhaps let’s not mention these “other cliffs.” The crowds can have El Rito, the shit saturated camping, and its 80 choss-pile routes. 

Funny, willing to bet you haven't been to half the ones mention.