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sidepull
Nov 6, 2007, 8:36 AM
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Registered: Sep 11, 2001
Posts: 2056
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Looking for beta, opinions, travelogues, rambling narratives, . . .
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joek
Nov 6, 2007, 9:19 AM
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Registered: Nov 14, 2003
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I bouldered there a few times last January when we were living there for a month. Since I'm not a local, I can't give good beta, but I can give you my opinion...
Easy to get to from Tucson, short approach, beautiful setting. The first little area has a few good problems, but nothing spectacular. The upper area has some good easier stuff and a few really good problems that are a little tougher (maybe v4 and up) but the landings aren't too good and you would definitely want a spot. If you are in Tucson or passing through, it's worth a stop. I wouldn't go out of your way to visit. There is a topo of the area at drtopo.com.
There is an area about 20 minutes north of town that has a little bit better bouldering, I think it was called silverbell (I think it was off silverbell road in marana). There is info online if you search. Again, not a great area, but if you are in town it is a fun afternoon of pulling.
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sidepull
Nov 6, 2007, 9:43 AM
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Registered: Sep 11, 2001
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thanks, I actually found a youtube vid of someone climbing at silverbell - looks like it might be fun.
It mentions here (http://www.climbingsource.com/...p;do_pdf=1&id=62) that there might be bouldering in Saguaro National Monument - anyone heard about that?
more info on silverbell?
more info on gates pass?
Thanks
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deschamps1000
Nov 6, 2007, 10:08 AM
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Registered: Apr 29, 2004
Posts: 295
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Gates pass is okay if you have nothing better to do. It is definitely not a destination. Tucson is really not a bouldering destination.
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k.l.k
Nov 6, 2007, 10:30 AM
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Registered: May 9, 2007
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The main area at Gates Pass is a good option if you are in the area. It's small but concentrated. Most of the boulders are smaller with lots of moderate and easy routes. If you are looking for harder things, then you will be working obscure eliminates. The upside is the easy (and legal) access.
The prinicipal area used to be Silverbell. The two main boulders at Silverbell were developed extensively by Bob Murray and some of his partners. I bouldered there with John Gault and George Smith (?) back in the late 80s-early 90s. Most of the routes began around V5 and then went up very rapidly. There was a classic Murray traverse-- low, maybe 50 feet, probably 13b or so before eliminates--on the backside. But the last I heard, that area was closed.
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contactclimbing
Nov 6, 2007, 10:33 AM
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Registered: Mar 28, 2006
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There is not much (good) bouldering in Tucson. Gates pass is a waste of time. Silverbell is OK, if you like drilled eliminates. There are few good v6's there. You can find info on mountainproject.com. Mount Lemmon has a few Bob Murray classics, but again, not really worth it. Go to Rocks and Ropes, and boulder there.
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climbsomething
Nov 6, 2007, 11:00 AM
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Registered: May 29, 2002
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deschamps1000 wrote: Gates pass is okay if you have nothing better to do. It is definitely not a destination. Tucson is really not a bouldering destination.
I wouldn't go so far as to say it sucks but it's not exactly... how you say... "good." In my first few months of living in Flagstaff I've been to Buffalo Park, which is a comparable drive from my house, more than the times I went to Gates Pass in the 5 years I lived and climbed in Tucson. *Buffalo Park.*
I assume you're in Tucson for some real grown-up reason and not to boulder the local choss. That said, it's close choss and it's better than no choss at all, and the area is pretty. PM me, I think I can help you...
(This post was edited by climbsomething on Nov 6, 2007, 11:02 AM)
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