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Checkmate

5.9, Trad, Sport, 150 ft (45 m),  Avg: 2.3 from 12 votes
FA: Jim Campbell
New Mexico > Las Cruces Area… > Dona Ana Mountains > Checkerboard Wall

Description

A mixed, mostly bolted climb offering good face climbing and an interesting overlap to surmount. The angle of the rock is just barely enough to make the tiny holds available work. It's the kind of a place where you take every mono because that's going to be the best you are going to get. It is intimidating, but in the end satisfying.

Location

This climb is a short ways northeast of Cross-trainer and can be seen from the 2nd-3rd pitch of that route. To reach the start of the climb requires some 4th class scrambling up to a nice grassy ledge. Start at the ledge and climb an 8' crack to the slab above where the first bolt is found.

The small and somewhat chossy holds make leading this route a challenge, but it can be easily top-roped for an additional fun to be had while rappelling Cross-trainer. Just take the second two-rope rap more to the climber's right below the Lunch Ledge looking for light-colored tat found at the Checkmate bolts.

Two ropes will allow you to rappel the route, but one can also do a traversing rappel to the Cross-trainer and descend that route with a single rope. Alternatively, you can continue climbing up. Getting to the Lunch Ledge of Cross-trainer can be done following a ramp to the left and the crack above it.

Protection

7 bolts and a few small to mid-sized cams/wires. After the 3rd bolt there is a short crack which protects the 30ft to the next bolt. Bolt anchors on a spacious ledge are equipped with manky slings for your rappelling pleasure.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Josh Hamling
Las Cruces, NM
  5.9
[Hide Comment] You can continue up and left on easy rock to the Lunch Ledge of Cross-trainer in one total pitch with a 60 meter rope.

It's easier to do this if you start from the grassy ledge just below and to climber's right of the pitch two anchor of Cross-trainer. Jan 5, 2009
Coury Dorn
New Mexico
  5.9+
[Hide Comment] A largely uninspiring route. If you like thin slab climbing on often questionable rock, go for it. It might get better once it cleans up. Echoing the description, I didn’t place anything larger than a 0.75 Friend. Dec 20, 2022