This is the crux on Elephant Butte. Some of us climbed it on the left and some went to the right.

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This is the crux on Elephant Butte. Some of us climbed it on the left and some went to the right.

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Starting down the first rap. October 2012

yee ha

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Brian C.

Feb 13, 2010

“This is the crux on Elephant Butte. Some of us climbed it on the left and some went to the right.”

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Jeff Christbaum
Muskego, WI

Jeff Christbaum Muskego, WI

The party of three I was in all went to the right. It wasn't a bad move, but maybe that we were all tall helped? The biggest issue is not looking behind you at the potential slide if you fall! :) Jun 6, 2012

Nearby Photos

topo

Down the canyon marked 'view' on the toppo. Another great spot at the end too. Not to be missed while doing this route.

A google-eye view of the route. The biggest route finding issues are spotting the right turn to go up to the second basin and, on descent, traversing under the small vertical wall until past the obvious gash before heading down.

From the summit

Taking a beginner to the summit. Not a bad day out.

The hard to see pinnacle straight down in this photo is the left border of the gully leading to the descent rappel.

Entrance to the first canyon-y part, looking out towards Rocky/Bullwinkle

This is the first meadow. The way to the crux is the gully leading up and to the right.

Second rappel.

last rapp off of Elephant Butte

Highpoint of Arches NP.

7' headwall crux with anchor cord as of 10-28-16. (Did it in Chocko sandals, so not too bad.)

This is above the first meadow. The crux is straight up the gully at the back of this meadow.

The 3 pitons for with some old webbing for the final rappel. They are old but all seemed very solid.

Us on Elephant Butte - 2009

This is the final scramble to the summit. It's a weird class 4 move but not bad.

This is looking towards the summit from above the first rappel. The slabs are what you must scramble up to reach the summit.

Getting close to the summit from the slabs. The cairn marking the weakness in the cliffs is straight ahead.

scrambling above the slabby ascent into the next part of the canyon, good spot for lunch

Looking back down the rubble-filled gully. The short rib that needs to be climbed is visible coming out of the gully on the left.

Starting down the first rap. October 2012

This is the crux on Elephant Butte. Some of us climbed it on the left and some went to the right.

yee ha

On top of the crux. The rappel anchors are just out of sight over the lip.

Coming down the second and final rap. October 2012

from owl rock

at last rap

last rap has air

The golden hour beginning to show at the high point.

The rubble filled gully is the key to this route on Elephant Butte.