Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Black Arrow

5.10, Trad, 330 ft (100 m), 4 pitches,  Avg: 2.8 from 18 votes
FA: John Burcham, Zack Bastow
Arizona > Northern Arizona > Sedona Area > W Sedona > Dry Creek Rd Area > Dry Creek Spires > Dry Creek Spire

Description

P1: (5.9) A short pitch. Climb up and left past a couple bolts to the limestone band. Place a small-ish piece, the up and left to a bolted belay.

P2: (5.10) Up and left to a hand crack. Up the crack to a bulge with a finger crack. Climb this (crux) to a nice crack above, then slightly left to a bolted belay.

P3: (5.9/5.10) Continue up a nice hand crack to a roof. Traverse left under the roof to a bolt, which protects a reachy move (maybe height dependant?) then up & left to a bolted anchor.

P4: (5.10-) Work up and right through a crack, then left to a bolt, then up to a bolted belay.

Location

Starts about the middle, at a couple bolts going up & left to the limestone band. The first belay bolts are visible from just down & left of the start of the route.

Protection

A few small cams, doubles through #3 camalot, slings & a couple quickdraws.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Tim about to pull the crux on P3
[Hide Photo] Tim about to pull the crux on P3
Manny leading the second (crux) pitch of Black Arrow in Sedona, with Catherine belaying.
[Hide Photo] Manny leading the second (crux) pitch of Black Arrow in Sedona, with Catherine belaying.
Black Arrow.
[Hide Photo] Black Arrow.
Catherine leading pitch 1 of Black Arrow with Manny belaying.
[Hide Photo] Catherine leading pitch 1 of Black Arrow with Manny belaying.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Beautiful route, but it gets a lot of sun. P2 is definitely the crux and most sustained. The bolt-protected moves on P3 are not a problem if you're short, as there are many reasonable options to pull pass the bulge. Apr 26, 2014
SummitSender
  5.10-
[Hide Comment] Warning Beta Info:
Hardest section is 10- at the hardest! Rest is 5.6 - 5.9
Single rack - red c3 to #3 double rack was way too much gear
1 70 meter
link 1&2 3&4 otherwise ur climbing 4 tiny pitches 15-35 feet each...
After the 4th pitch anchor is a huge bee hive up in crack so be warned. Apr 8, 2016
Derek Field
Nevada
  5.10-
[Hide Comment] Awesome... a bit of everything packed into a relatively short wall. First few moves off the ground are surprisingly sporty, second pitch is stellar, third great as well with splitter crack. Three stars for varied movements, consistently great exposure, and memorable cruxes. Single rack up to BD #2 is plenty, and a single 70-m will get you down. Aug 29, 2016
Nolan B
Flagstaff, AZ
  5.10-
[Hide Comment] WARNING! Do not go above the pitch 4 anchors! As we attempted to top out the formation, we disturbed the huge bee hive and got swarmed. The bees were aggressive and relentless as both my partner and I were stung hundreds of times. Besides that the climbing was great. Bring runners to link pitches 1&2 and 3&4. Jul 11, 2020