Sandias, License and Visa

Skiing and mountain literature, photos, and innovative media
Post Reply
User avatar
skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
Contact:

Sandias, License and Visa

Post by skykilo »

Just had a great day in the Sandias with Micah. We climbed License and Visa and Pino Wall. Ross and I tried to climb on this formation while he was here but it just didn't happen. We found the other anchor today, Ross. Anyhow.

Ross and I found this rap station but it wasn't right.
license, station

This is four pitches of high quality climbing on really great rock. It's the best rock quality I've seen sustained on a route of this length in the Sandias.

Micah on pitch 1. He was going to lead it but we got the ropes stuck in a crack so he top-rope soloed for his first time. An entertaining 5.8.
license, licensep1

Pitch 2 is rated 5.11c depending where you look. I thought it was sustained and engaging for the grade. All bolts but they are not so close that you never think about it.

Getting into the bidness.
license, skylead

Micah follows
license, licensep2

Look how that trailing rope dangles. This pitch stays steep.
license, licensep2mid

Micah prepares for the sting in the tail final crux before the belay.
license, licensep2last

Pitch 3 is pure fun. Some weirdness off the belay then a big roof at the top, a series of several overhanging moves with chimney and knee bar rests in the mix.

In the chimney rest.
license, chimneyrest

Micah follows.
license, licensep3

Micah leads the final 5.8 pitch to the top. Usually 5.8 pitches to the top in the Sandias feature some questionable rock but not here.
license, licensefinish

We had some coffee at the top before the long (for the Sandias) hike back to the crest parking lot.
license, coffee

What a fall day in the Sandias! The shady aspects have snow all along the crest and in the gullies. Yeah.

User avatar
skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
Contact:

Re: Sandias, License and Visa

Post by skykilo »

And now for something weird

teleross
TeleRoss
from on the beach
Contact:

Re: Sandias, License and Visa

Post by teleross »

That does look like some stellar rock!
Where were the anchors? Were we even in the right place when we were there?
Looks like fun!
Had a great weekend in Yosemite with Trish...fall has been STELLAR around these parts :)

User avatar
skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
Contact:

Re: Sandias, License and Visa

Post by skykilo »

We were at the Red Dawn anchor. The anchor for the other two routes actually has a proper rap rig. We can hit it next time you come here! Probably the best winter wall in the Sandias.

teleross
TeleRoss
from on the beach
Contact:

Re: Sandias, License and Visa

Post by teleross »

right on...ha...that could have been exciting if we had rapped into Red Dawn with only quickdraws!

Post Reply