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South Face Central

5.6, Trad,  Avg: 1 from 1 vote
FA: Bill Hackett and Dick Ingraham
New Mexico > Las Cruces Area… > Organ Mountains > Rabbit Ears Area > Middle Rabbit Ear
Warning Access Issue: Power drilling is prohibited in the Organ Mountains Wilderness. DetailsDrop down

Description

The description below, found in NMSU archives, was created by the legendary Southwest Mountaineers. It is at a minimum twenty years old, but likely dates as far back as 1970’s. The rock itself may have changed since that time. The rating system certainly has. You will want to add at least a point to it. For comparison, the Normal Route, considered by many to be seriously sandbagged at 5.6, is listed in the same document as 5.5, the West Face as 5.6. So please treat what follows as a rough guide to an adventure, not as a solid and current info. If you do climb the route, sharing of what you learn would be appreciated.

Go as in South Face Cutoff about 2 roped pitches to the middle of the great concave bowl of a face (hot in the summer). Go straight up the smooth dihedral in the middle for about 120 feet where a possible belay spot opens up. The next pitch continues straight up the dihedral which is now more broken up but quite steep in spots. Then easier climbing leads up to the summit.

Protection

Unknown.