Best climbing destination in December?

Anyone have recommendations for climbing in December? Got a new job and looking to celebrate before I start. Ideally, I want to climb somewhere I haven't been to before. I've already been to

• Joshua Tree
• Red Rocks
• Yosemite Valley
• Moab

I follow 5.9/5.10 sport or trad outdoors, but I don't lead yet (just at the gym). I boulder V2 outdoors. Can do multi-pitch but no big wall yet. 

I'm also open to international destinations! Never have climbed outside the US so it'd be awesome if I could fit it in maybe. 

Zion was a good time. We just left after a few weeks there and temps were very enjoyable during the day and not too cold at night. 

ZT Gwrote:

Zion was a good time. We just left after a few weeks there and temps were very enjoyable during the day and not too cold at night. 

Hoping to do big wall someday, but not right now haha. The park is absolutely gorgeous though and the walls look amazing. 

Cochise Stronghold could be very nice. 

• Do you have a partner?

If not, your options are going to be pretty limited.

Cochise is great but not if you are solo. Same for Tucson/Mt Lemon.

You could go to Hueco and stay at the Rock Ranch, try to find a group to hook up with, but you will need to scrounge for North Mountain permits or pay for a guide.

Maybe someone who’s been to EPC can chime in- seems like a spot you could rustle up a partner.

Bishop could be ok if the weather cooperated

Puerto Rico

Cayman Brac is a great tropical climbing destination

Chattanooga

Squamish! Super dry right now. 

Joshua and red rock are a good place in December. Although last time I went it rained and we couldn’t climb for 3 days

Mark E Dixonwrote:

• Do you have a partner?

If not, your options are going to be pretty limited.

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Maybe someone who’s been to EPC can chime in- seems like a spot you could rustle up a partner.

As Mark mentioned, having a partner lined up vs. needing to find partners is an important detail. There are places that are great destinations, but you really need to show up with a partner (like Cochise). Other places you can show up solo and easily meet people 

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Potrero Chico is a great option. Nice weather in December, lots of climbing at OPs grades, great vacation spot.

I can't comment on what the scene thereis like currently, regarding how Covid has impacted travel patterns and visitation. But in the before times there were lots and lots of climbers around in-season and it would be easy to find partners. Probably true again this winter?

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Bouldering in Bishop would likely be nice also. The Happy Boulders, in particular, offer a lot to beginner boulderer,  and are nice in December. Good options low in the V scale, and a fun, accessible climbing style.

You can rent crash pads from the shop in Bishop pretty cheaply, and it is easy to meet people in the boulders. So this would be a reliable option for a partnerless climber.

Brent Walmsleywrote:

Anyone have recommendations for climbing in December? Got a new job and looking to celebrate before I start. Ideally, I want to climb somewhere I haven't been to before. I've already been to

• Joshua Tree
• Red Rocks
• Yosemite Valley
• Moab

I follow 5.9/5.10 sport or trad outdoors, but I don't lead yet (just at the gym). I boulder V2 outdoors. Can do multi-pitch but no big wall yet. 

I'm also open to international destinations! Never have climbed outside the US so it'd be awesome if I could fit it in maybe. 

I am somewhat confused by "can do multi-pitch" in combination with "don't lead yet".  I don't know of any top-rope multi-pitch climbs.

If you don't have a partner, then you're likely going to need to hire a guide.  You might... might... be able to find the occasional pick-up partner at some places (EPC used to be pretty good for this, for example) -- but if you're looking for a partner who will, also, lead everything, rope-gun stuff for you, haul you up a multi-pitch climb... well that's mostly looking for a free guide.  And, you're likely to have trouble finding partners, unless you're bringing a LOT of beer to the equation.

If you have a partner, then you're better off.  El Potrero Chico is a great choice -- lots and lots of moderate climbing, good food, friendly area, and relatively inexpensive.  And, generally good climbing in December -- it is a common Christmas vacation climbing spot, for example.  

David Gibbswrote:

I am somewhat confused by "can do multi-pitch" in combination with "don't lead yet".  I don't know of any top-rope multi-pitch climbs.

I'd guess he means, he doesn't lead, but follows multipitch and is familiar with the routine (cleaning, belaying, etc.). 

Hope that helps.

David Gibbswrote:

If you're looking for a partner who will, also, lead everything, rope-gun stuff for you, haul you up a multi-pitch climb... well that's mostly looking for a free guide.  And, you're likely to have trouble finding partners, unless you're bringing a LOT of beer to the equation.

I disagree. A few of my best climbing partners over the years have been people that don't lead. Being psyched, fun to hang out with, and a good/attentive belayer are way more important than you being able to lead. I enjoy getting to lead every pitch, so that's no issue either. I wouldn't see a lack of interest in leading as a deal breaker in a potential partner. I'm sure many other people think similarly. There's a lot of other things someone can offer - being a good belayer and a solid second is one of them. 

That said, there is some truth that a non-leader is going to be more dependent on others and possibly have a harder time finding the right partner if showing up at a destination solo. I'd be a bit hesitant in OPs position to travel to a far away area on the gamble you'd be able to find suitable partners, if there wasn't a good Plan B in case partners were not available.

Based on this, somewhere like Bishop is a safe bet. If you find partners and the weather is good, you can sport climb in the Owens. If weather is cold or you can't find partners, you can rent a crash pad and go to the boulders, where it's really easy to meet people and leading ability is irrelevant. Either way you have a good time.  

JTree, Red Rocks, and Chattanooga all offer this feature also - good routes if you have a partner for them, or good bouldering options if you lack a partner on any given day.

I agree with JCM. 

One thing about red rock tho, I was extremely surprised at how many sport climbs are primarily south facing and if there is a large grade difference in climbers it’s kinda hard to compromise on which crag to go to.

JCMwrote:

I disagree. A few of my best climbing partners over the years have been people that don't lead. Being psyched, fun to hang out with, and a good/attentive belayer are way more important than you being able to lead. I enjoy getting to lead every pitch, so that's no issue either. I wouldn't see a lack of interest in leading as a deal breaker in a potential partner. I'm sure many other people think similarly. There's a lot of other things someone can offer - being a good belayer and a solid second is one of them. 

That said, there is some truth that a non-leader is going to be more dependent on others and possibly have a harder time finding the right partner if showing up at a destination solo. I'd be a bit hesitant in OPs position to travel to a far away area on the gamble you'd be able to find suitable partners, if there wasn't a good Plan B in case partners were not available.

I was, perhaps, a bit over-strong in my phrasing -- and I have done climbing trips with friends who were good companionship, a solid belayers and good at cleaning gear, but generally didn't lead anything.  I guess, generally, I'm happy climbing with friends who have that limitation as a climbing partner.  

But, I'm talking in the specific context of showing up at, say, El Potrero Chico solo, and looking for a climbing partner.  "I only follow stuff, up to about 5.10" vs "I'm a solid leader up to 5.10".  (And, even better, if you can say I'm a solid leader up to 5.11+,  but I"m happy climbing anything".).   Someone who can pull their own weight is going to find it far easier to pick up climbing partners than someone who can only follow stuff.  At minimum, it eliminates every other potential partner who is at a similar level of "doesn't lead" from the potential partner equation.