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Castle Wall
5.9,
Trad, TR, 30 ft (9 m),
Avg: 2 from 2
votes
FA: unknown
New Mexico
> Las Cruces Area…
> Organ Mountains
> S Organs
> Pena Blanca
> Garden
> Crown
Access Issue: Power drilling is prohibited in the Organ Mountains Wilderness.
Details
Description
2 bolts provide a top-rope anchor for the left side of the slab. To reach these bolts though, one must lead up the crack/corner to the left. The climbing isn't hard, maybe 5.7, but the rock quality is definitely suspect. There are a number of thin cracks which will take nuts and small cams, but test them out carefully, as some appear fragile.
Once the anchor is reached, top-roping the slab is quite enjoyable. The divots provide interesting hand/foot holds, and there are even some deep huecos scattered about on the route.
Supposedly, one can finish up to the top, but it looks sketchy. The one account I've found (see
vcrux.com/penablancathegard…) describes it as "adventure climbing".
Location
Left side of the prominent slab.
Protection
Small cams or nuts can protect the climb to reach the anchors. the anchors are two solid looking 3/8" bolts. One of them has a locking carabiner (that no longer can be unlocked) attached to it.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
the listing in the book is 5.9R 55 feet 2 pitches, the first is a runnout to the chains, and the second is the adventure climbing. I have not climbed this myself, if/when I do I will post any relevant information I gain from the climb.
oh also here is a good image that I'm not sure if it is linked here.
mountainproject.com/v/10607…
but there it is the book I have shows another variation to the second pitch which just reinforces the "adventure climbing" Jan 17, 2013