Arizona · Rock climbing · Sells

West Face/ Southwest Arete

West Face/ Southwest AretePhoto: Ken Bosma, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
6 routes
5.5 – 5.10c
Trad · Mixed · Sport
Mar–Jul, Sep–Nov
best months

West Face/Southwest Arete is a climbing area in Arizona, about 4.8 miles from the town of Chutum Vaya. It sits on land managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the East Face climbing area lies just 0.1 mile away. The area holds six routes, with grades ranging from 5.5 to 5.10c. Most are traditional, and a few are mixed. The Standard Route, also known as the Forbes-Montoya Route on the west approach, is the easiest at 5.5. Cloud Man Got Angry and Born of Water are mixed routes at 5.10 and 5.10c. Watcher of the Skies is a sport route at 5.9. For a change from the rock, the Jaguar Canyon Trail and Waw Giwulk Trail are both about 2 miles away. Brown Canyon Arch Trail is roughly 2.4 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jul, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit West Face/ Southwest Arete

    Best months: March–July and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      51° / 34°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      51° / 34°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 37°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 41°

      2 wet

    5. May

      71° / 49°

      1 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 59°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 61°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 60°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 57°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 49°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      58° / 40°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      50° / 34°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Kitt Peak, AZ, 13 mi away at 6,790 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (6)

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