Skinnyclimber leading NM State Route 2. A very fun 10a that moves up a dihedral to a roof. There is some nice exposure as you move around the roof, making this my favorite RP route to date.

Climber on TR almost at top, this is the wide angle view. He will do the dihedral and then head right and turn the face. This route is about .10a...

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

Topo photo of he East Main Wall. This photo is just for reference. One can start the high traverse and go until the exposure is too much as one heads right.

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

This is just a reference photo of the route NM State Route 2. The TR set at the top is dangling free over all those roof problems. I believe it is rated about .10a..

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

This is Undiscovered Wall. It can be protected by setting TR's on the trees above, which are not visible in this photo above. Not many people go here as there is plenty to do on Main wall. Notice Big Dihedral on the left, adjacent to High wall.

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

This is just a photo of the Wasted Area from atop Big Block. It is called that because no one hardly goes there. It is across the creek and varies in height from 2m to 7m for traversing or toping out. It faces south and would be an excellent winter area, but is too warm in summer, everyone likes the shade at the Main Area.

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

This little dihedral / scramble is about 5.2 and is the method one goes to set TR from anchors or trees above. It is located at the end of the West Main area, continuing right from the outside corner one would be facing High Wall. This is just a reference photo.

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

Here is a picture of a TR hanging from this route. I believe it is .11a. My friend TR it and I was busy on the belay to take a picture of him on lead. So here is a reference photo for future visitors. To start this route you jump up to a two handed jug and do some heal hooks to work your hand up and then clip the first bolt. There are about 2 roofs you will have to negotiate.

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

Climber on TR in a rest spot, he must now do the little dihedral to his left, then at the top of the roof hand over hand right to and turn the face and head up..

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

Here an unknown climber has made the traverse under and is coming about on the face. This route is about .10a but this person is on TR. He already did the overhangs below.

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

This is about 40 feet high. 6 hangers so, and medium cams or tricams for the inbetween cracks if you have them. Plus 2 will mean 8 draws will get you to the top chains. Sorry there wasn't a TR set or people to show relative size. Some of us are trying to put Topos in the route dB. This is my atttempt to do so.

It took all day and two cans of spray paint to set the toprope to rappel down the line and get this done. I didn't get any paint on my lycra climbing shorts which would have been way unckewl. I had to wait a bit for the paint to dry to move down or I would get paint on my rope. That would be a bummer to wash out.( Just kidding, I used MS paint editor to process the photo, gotcha!) The labels below read: Route 1, Route 2, Route 3, and Route 4. The other label reads "Not going to give you the beta because you can flash onsite this route when you are ready route."

Click here for Escale’s Recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

Fazer looking for a good left hand hold to make it to the start of the West High Traverse. It is rather committing as one can have a bad landing or a tough downclimb.

Click here for Escale’s recon 26..50 of 100 photos of Big Block

The dark roof area is called the Main area. The East Main area is to the left of the dark roof area. The west Main area is covered by those trees on the right. This was taken from on top of the "Big Block" sitting in front of these walls. (04/18/04) .

Click here for Escale’s recon 51..75 of 100 photos of Big Block

Escale checking to see if the sloper will be enough to make the next move. Next hold is the high left hand from here..

Click here for Escale’s recon 26..50 of 100 photos of Big Block

Fazer600 working the left side of the "Big Block". This traverse goes from left to right on 1/2 inch foot and hand holds There are 3 anchors on the top for setting TR's..

Click here for Escale’s recon 26..50 of 100 photos of Big Block

This is the right side of the east facing side of the "Big Block". It has only 1/2 to 3/4 inch slopers and goes up about 25 feet. One could also traverse right from here for about 35 feet..

Click here for Escale’s recon 26..50 of 100 photos of Big Block

Escale starting the Tijeras shuffle. This is the start area for this 30 foot traverse that heads right from here. Another direction would be to go left, which is easier or try to turn this roof by going straight up...

Click here for Escale’s recon 26..50 of 100 photos of Big Block

Escale, after doing the sit start, checks the holds and gets ready for some high stepping. With the 25 degree slope back, it can be committing. From the top, there is a 5.3 down climb on the south side..

Click here for Escale’s recon 26..50 of 100 photos of Big Block

These Topropers were taking in the view from atop Big Block. Behind them from left to right is High wall, Big Dihedral, making a dihedral in the middle and Undiscovered Wall. UW must have routes above 5.12 because I have never seen anyone on this wall, but everyone say that one can set TR's from the trees above, which are not pictured. ..

Click here for Escale’s recon 26..50 of 100 photos of Big Block

This is a pumpy traverse, The Tijeras Shuffle, moving from left to right. Those with some power can try to move high to the top ledge. If you stay below the roof there are about 20 jugs to work with along the 30 feet of traverse.

Click here for Escale’s recon 1..25 of 100 photos of Big Block

This traverse starts low and heads east for about 30 feet. Problem is the feet run out as it gets higher and higher.

Click here for Escale’s recon 1..25 of 100 photos of Big Block

Once you get finished with the low traverse, one can move up and do the high traverse. Here Fazer600 is "feeling for some holds to make it work.

Click here for Escale’s recon 1..25 of 100 photos of Big Block