Isolation Canyon

I had a lot of fun with Susan at Isolation Canyon a couple weekends ago and wanted to do a quick post about it with some photos while I have the chance. Isolation is a bit of both wild and tame climbing all packed into one...with tons of bolts and good gear protection in super hard quartzite but also a SERIOUS amount of choss. I am not joking about the choss, with car sized blocks ready to fall that have sport routes on 'em along with countless smaller hollow and loose blocks ready to go. But, with the piles of bolts and good gear it all seems a little less scary for some reason and many of the lines are extremely aesthetic, just begging to be climbed. Thus, I had a really good time, got on whatever looked good and chalking it up to adventure...and since it is only an hour and a half from home I'm sure we will be back to sample some more of the climbing. To get more information about Isolation including route descriptions go here (there is no print guide for this area at this time). Note: If you print the routes off the web to take with you, make sure to print the route descriptions too or you will be totally lost like we were (I will most definitely be printing route descriptions next time). Have fun!

Below are a few shots from the weekend. We did a ton of routes and I wish I would have gotten photos of all of 'em...but a few is better than none. Here ya go...

(Camping near the Trailhead)

(On the way to the cliff...part of the approach is on the Arizona Trail. Gave me visions of running from here to Flagstaff on the AZ Trail or maybe running south for some distance. Hmmmm...)

(Susan near the beginning the 40 minute approach)

(The Main Wall at Isolation. Up to 3 pitch routes on this thing. Good fun.)

(Someone on the 3 pitch, Walking Dead Arete, that we climbed on the trip. AWESOME ROUTE! It follows a very obvious and striking arete for over 200 feet.)

(Susan on another great arete called Great Race. A little chossy but really cool feature.)

(Wandering the base off the Main Wall and deciding what to climb...so much choss, so little time.)

(Susan on Spinous Process. On one of the more unchossy sections of the wall. Good climbing.)

(Susan on La Nariz a good route over all but with a super awkward crux on the first roof.)

(One of the best ways to finish a good day of climbing!)