New Mexico · Rock climbing · Vadito

The Block

Block, The is a climbing area in New Mexico with 7 routes.

7 routes
5.2 – 5.11c
Sport · Trad

Is Block, The open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Carson National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Carson National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit The Block

Best months: May–October. 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

    44° / 18°

    5 wet · 5 snow

  2. Feb

    45° / 20°

    5 wet · 5 snow

  3. Mar

    51° / 24°

    6 wet · 5 snow

  4. Apr

    57° / 29°

    6 wet · 3 snow

  5. May

    65° / 36°

    6 wet · 1 snow

  6. Jun

    75° / 43°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    76° / 47°

    12 wet

  8. Aug

    74° / 46°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    69° / 41°

    7 wet

  10. Oct

    61° / 32°

    5 wet · 1 snow

  11. Nov

    52° / 24°

    4 wet · 3 snow

  12. Dec

    44° / 18°

    4 wet · 4 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gascon, NM, 19.8 mi away at 8,250 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Block is a climbing area in the Camino Real Ranger District of Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits in the heart of a cluster of climbing spots, with the Fire Wall and Tim's Thumb climbing areas both about 0.1 mile away. The area has seven climbing routes, six of them sport and one trad. The grades run from 5.2 to 5.11c, with the hardest being Shadows Edge at 5.11c. Among the sport routes are Sammy's First Steps at 5.6, Into the Light at 5.10b and Shadow Caster at 5.10b/c. Aaron's Route, a 5.8, was first climbed by Gina Hawryluk and Dan Greenwald. For timing, the most comfortable months are typically June through September. A nearby weather station at Gascon, about 20 miles away, averages highs in the mid-70s and lows around 40 from June through September, while winter brings highs in the mid-40s and a few snow days a month from December through February. Camping is close by, with Comales campground 0.4 mile away and Agua Piedra Campground about 3.5 miles off. Paddlers can head to the Rio Pueblo, roughly half a mile away, and hikers to Tio Maes Canyon at about 0.7 mile.

Routes (7)