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Santa Fe Area - First Week of April

Original Post
Nick G · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2024 · Points: 0

Upcoming trip to Santa Fe the first week of April and planning to do some sport climbing. Diablos Canyon is one area I’m looking at.
Just a couple questions:

What are the conditions like?
suggestions on areas to climb?

any advise is greatly appreciated

Stu Hardin · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 140

Conditions should be great though new mexico in general can get quite windy this time of year...I would climb at the Grotto since there are walls facing east and west so you can choose sun/shade accordingly based on time of day/temperature. Its a great spring/fall crag. I would avoid Winter wall, Solar cave, Mordor if it is warmer than 60 degrees since they get a lot of sun, but everyone has different tolerances for climbing in the sun. The early wall (which is the wall you pass on the way to the Grotto) and the Shack also get good shade for most of the day. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes. Enjoy 

Nick G · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2024 · Points: 0

Thank you very much for the info and recommendations.

Being from the North I guess am more concerned with snow and ice being an issue this time of the year. Last year was in the Jemez Mountains / Las Conchas mid April; there was still a decent amount of snow on the ground, but the walls were pretty much dry. Will actually be driving through Las Conchas area Sunday / Monday so will stop and crack out the gear if it is all good. 

We are going to be based out of Santa Fe, but have no issues driving 2ish hours for the more ideal locations. Are Pecos River Canyon or Taos areas climbable right now?

Anyone have any input on areas around Santa Fe that are not recommended at this time due to snowpack or roads not being very accessible?

slo ta · · ABQ · Joined Jan 2019 · Points: 257

This is the worst snow year for the state in almost a decade. Pretty much everything below ~8-9k feet or so should be almost completely free of snow by then, especially given the well above average temperatures coming for the end of March. Anything that gets even a bit of sun will probably be free of ice at even higher elevations. All SF and Jemez crags should be accessible, as well as all the big Taos crags that are at lower elevations.

Though someone who has been to the Jemez or Taos more recently might have a more informed opinion...

Owen S · · Los Alamos, NM · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 3,375

Las Conchas is good to go.

Nick G · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2024 · Points: 0

Thank you all for the feedback! Have a few places to finish deciding upon and quite excited to head up to Las Conchas tomorrow. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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