Sandias, Pino Wall, Red Dawn

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skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
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Sandias, Pino Wall, Red Dawn

Post by skykilo »

Best January day of alpine rock climbing EVAR!? This might be it for me. George and I had the pleasure to climb Red Dawn yesterday. This is a highly rewarding outing consisting of four long pitches, nominally rated 5.10a, 5.10c, 5.11c and 5.11c.

Hello. We approach by taking the tram.
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Ross might remember these shenanigans from our aborted attempt. The snow makes it more interesting still.
red-dawn, approach

George begins the first of four double-rope rappels to the base of the cliff.
red-dawn, rap1

We were both intrigued by the second-to-last pitch during the second rappel. The difficult section consisted of awesome finger locks and steep stemming into a thin corner, capped with a big roof.
red-dawn, rap2

We did an improvised coin toss to decide whose lead it was at the base. I led the first pitch. It consisted of some scary loose garbage and a couple fun moves at the end after one ugly fight with a bush in between.
red-dawn, p1

George starts up the second pitch, which begins with a fun wide hand crack.
red-dawn, p2

Here I'm getting into the business on the third pitch. It delivered with very stimulating climbing.
red-dawn, p3

What would the fourth pitch hold? George prepares for the thin face climbing crux.
red-dawn, p4crux

The finish on the arete was every bit as spectacular as one might hope.
red-dawn, p4finish
George persevered through the thin face moves for the on-sight ascent of this pitch. Nice!

The first two pitches aren't so special, but the last two pitches deserve maximum quality rating!

Oh yeah, January on SkiSickness -- here are a couple ski photos from the winter holidays around Santa Fe.
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teleross
TeleRoss
from on the beach
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Re: Sandias, Pino Wall, Red Dawn

Post by teleross »

Yeah dawg! Looks like a sweet route! I think Trish and I are going to make a trip to the land of enchantment sometime later this winter/spring.

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skykilo
olikyks
from Santa Fe
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Re: Sandias, Pino Wall, Red Dawn

Post by skykilo »

Sounds good -- let me know!

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