New Mexico · Rock climbing · El Rito

Pirate's Wall

13 sport climbing routes at Pirate's Wall in New Mexico range from easy to hard.

13 routes
5.9 – 5.12a
Sport

Is Pirate's Wall 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 Pirate's Wall

Best months: April–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

    41° / 18°

    5 wet

  2. Feb

    46° / 21°

    4 wet

  3. Mar

    54° / 26°

    4 wet

  4. Apr

    63° / 32°

    4 wet

  5. May

    72° / 40°

    5 wet

  6. Jun

    81° / 47°

    5 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 54°

    9 wet

  8. Aug

    82° / 53°

    10 wet

  9. Sep

    76° / 46°

    6 wet

  10. Oct

    65° / 36°

    5 wet

  11. Nov

    51° / 25°

    4 wet

  12. Dec

    41° / 19°

    4 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at El Rito, NM, 3.2 mi away at 6,870 ft. The station sits about 700 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.

Pirate's Wall is a sport climbing area in the El Rito Ranger District of Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing areas, with Super Slab, Big Pine Wall and The Balcony all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all sport, and the routes run from about 5.9 up to 5.12a. The median grade is 5.10c. Among the named routes are Scurvy Dog at 5.9, Pirates of the Carabiner at 5.10a and Pirated at 5.12a. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the El Rito weather station, about 3 miles away, show May highs near 72°F and September highs near 76°F, with July and August the wettest months. El Rito campground is about 3 miles away, and the Cdt - New Mexico Section hike is about 8 miles off.

Routes (13)