PRINT: Rock Climb It Takes a Thief, Northern Arizona

It Takes a Thief

5.10d, Sport,

Avg: 1.9 from 19 votes
FA: unknown
Arizona > Northern Arizona > Flagstaff Area > Pit (aka Le Pet… > (F) Swiss Tower

Access Issue: Annual Nesting Closure Details

Nose Rock, Shooting Gallery, Bedrock, Pulse Roof, and "Shock Treatment" route on White Wall are all closed for Mexican Spotted Owl nesting from March 1st until August 31st, unless lifted sooner. The Forest Service and Northern AZ Climbers Coalition request that climbers avoid certain routes during critical nesting periods (typically April through early August).

The USFS will be frequently monitoring the Peregrine Falcons so that they can open areas as soon as possible. Successful partnership with the Forest Service biologists has allowed for closure of select routes, instead of the entire walls or crags, and we ask that climbers adhere to these closures. If you have questions, concerns, or would like to report a bird sighting, please reach out to the Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition at nazcc@nazcc.org or the US Forest Service @ 928-526-0866 and ask to speak with a biologist.

Description

The seldom climbed, often neglected, not really classic route that lies in the shadow of the indomitable Mr. Slate. Just to the right of Slate is a line of bolts ascending to the top of the tower. Another one of those routes that you climb so you can say yeah, I've done that. Expect some dirty holds.

Location

Accessed from the same ledge as Popeye, the start is probably R due to the fact that if you blow the first clip you'll probably take a bit of a tumble.

Protection

Some bolts

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Stay left

Cruising

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

tom kaiser
Flagstaff

5.10b PG13

The Crux is definitely from the 1st to 2nd clip , because of the exposure / potentially bad swing. It has good holds tho, so it’s unlikely you take a bad swing if you lead 5.10 comfortably . I could clip the 1st bolt from a nice undercling very safely. Also the top has a bit of loose small rocks closer to the anchor so watch out . Nice shady climb in the afternoon Jul 12, 2020

Connor Jones
SL UT

5.11- PG13

This route is pretty hard right of the start with too many dangerous features for it to get any stars. Staying true to the bolt line without hoping on Mr. Slate is tough, but if you stay left it goes easier. Topping out (as of 12/7/21) is almost impossible as the top is layered with small rocks making this route dangerous to climb for everyone near this area. Instead, look for climbs like Sporte, Mordor, or hop on a classic 11 to have more fun with similar difficulty. Perhaps if the arete of Slate was bolted instead, it could make for fun link ups and a better time. Dec 7, 2021