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Elevation: 6,704 ft
GPS: 35.12919, -111.59727
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 585,825 total · 2,649/month
Shared By: Josh Janes on Jan 19, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

The Pit, once known as Le Petit Verdon, with its pocketed white Kaibab limestone, was Arizona's first foray into the realm of sport climbing in the mid to late 1980's. Today, it's northern Arizona's prime sport area. Well, if by prime one means most convenient for Flagstaff locals.

 It's a popular area that offers average quality climbing on average quality limestone, but is nice for an afternoon workout and certainly beats the gym. The area is pleasant and climbable year-round. Routes are well bolted, generally short, and distinctively pocketed and edgy in style.

 

Kevin sending Sling Fest

"Eagles, falcons, hawks, and migratory birds build nests in shallow depressions on ledges, cliffs and rock walls, often returning to the same site year after year. The Forest Service and Northern AZ Climbers Coalition request that climbers avoid certain routes during critical nesting periods (typically March through early August).

In 2024, 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. Signage will be placed at the crag to indicate the closure area - please do not cross those barriers or use trails passing by any of these walls. Additionally, selected routes "Total Recall," "Fruit Bowl," and "No Joke" will be closed for nesting Peregrine Falcons from April 1st until August 31st, unless lifted sooner.

The USFS will be frequently monitoring the Mexican Spotted Owls and 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 and walls, instead of the entire crag, 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."

Getting There Suggest change

Drive south of Flagstaff on Lake Mary Road. The new Pit and Sandys Canyon Trail head is located just west on Lake Mary Rd. from the old parking area at Canyon Vista Campground. When driving out Lake Mary Rd. look for the dirt road just after the Hecketthorn neighborhood. DO NOT PARK AT THE CANYON VISTA CAMPGROUND.

116 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Pit (aka Le Petit Verdon) Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Pit (aka Le Petit Verdon)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 210
Sunshine Daydream
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 180
R.E.M. (Rapid Eye Movement)
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 508
Mr. Slate
Sport
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 264
Popeye Meets The Burrito Master
Sport 2 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 211
Sporte
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 252
True Value
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 247
The Abyss
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 96
Shark Bait
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a PG13
 97
The Energizer (aka Aerial Vermin)
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 122
Purple Shark
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 109
The Joker
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 16
The Pulse
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 10
No Joke
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 4
[Redacted]
Sport
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a
 16
Total Recall
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Sunshine Daydream (N) The Son Tower
 210
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
R.E.M. (Rapid Eye Movement) (N) The Son Tower
 180
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Mr. Slate (F) Swiss Tower
 508
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Popeye Meets The Burrito Ma… (G) Mall Wall
 264
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport 2 pitches
Sporte (E) The White Wall
 211
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
True Value (F) Swiss Tower
 252
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
The Abyss (F) Swiss Tower
 247
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Shark Bait (F) Swiss Tower
 96
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
The Energizer (aka Aerial V… (I) Way Gone Wall
 97
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a PG13 Sport
Purple Shark (F) Swiss Tower
 122
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
The Joker (E) The White Wall
 109
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
The Pulse (D) Pulse Roof
 16
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
No Joke (E) The White Wall
 10
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
[Redacted] (J) The Oven
 4
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Total Recall (E) The White Wall
 16
5.13c 8a+ 30 X- 31 E7 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Pit (aka Le Petit Verdon) »

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