RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Riverside Quarry
Mt. Rubidoux

Back to Index

RIVERSIDE QUARRY

Area Description

Directions

THE SLAB

Route Descriptions (beginning at far left of crag, and going left to right)

1) UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES (5.11 PG or 5.9, A3)

Obvious 5.9 hand/fist crack at far left edge of THE SLAB. Follow crack through roof (5.11) to sling belay. Pitch 2 begins with 5.4 slab climbing past a false belay to a 5.11 thin crack up the slab. Watch rope drag on Pitch 2. Please don't use pins in fingerlocks.

Pro: 4 RURPS, 3 KBs, 2 Bugs, 2 LAs (long), Gear to 3.5".

2) PUNISH THE PUPPY (5.9, A2)

Step off large block to the right of large roof (or do the A4 direct start). Climb 40 feet of A2, pass a roof on its left side, then traverse left around a second roof. Thin A3 leads to the sling belay of UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES. Finish on UD or traverse right via poorly protected 5.5 to join FEETAL REARRANGEMENT.

Pro: 4 KBs (mostly short), 3 Bugs, 4 LAs, Gear to 2.5".

3) BREEZE (5.9)

Face climb past 3 bolts to 3 bolt anchor left of FEETAL REARRANGEMENT. Rap or continue left to finish via FR.
Pro: Quickdraws.

4) FEETAL REARRANGEMENT (5.8 PG, A2)

Climb face past 4 bolts to a bolt and fixed pin belay. Pitch 2 traverses far left to the left side of a large alcove/cave. Awkward A2 climbing thru the roof reaches the next belay. Pitch 3 is moderate A2 up thin crack to a loose, unprotected 5.6 R bulge before the anchors on the rim.

Pro: 2 KBs, 2 Bugs, 6 LAs (incl. long and thicks), 3 ea. 1/2" - 5/8", Gear to 4".

5) PUCKER POWER (5.4, A3+)

Climb Pitch 1 of FEETAL REARRANGEMENT. Pitch 2 angles out the right side of the large alcove/cave via hard nailing (A3) and passing two bolts to the belay ledge.Pitch 2 heads up and left to reach a right diagonalling thin crack (A3+) which is followed to the rim.

6) THE FINE LINE (5.10+ PG or A3)

This variation begins at the second belay for FEETAL REARRANGEMENT. Traverse right following a very thin crack to a gear belay partway up VERTICAL VEE's second pitch. Finish on VV. Please don't use pins in fingerlocks.

Pro: RURPs, 8 KBs, 5 Bugs, Gear to 2.5".

7) VERTICAL VEE (5.8 PG, A3)

Pitch 1 is poorly protected 5.7 R past some loose rock to an alcove above a bad landing. Be careful, this pitch has already claimed one life. From the alcove, follow a crack past a roof to reach a pair of ultra thin V cracks. KBs take you straight up, or LAs if you decide to head right. Both cracks deposit you on a slab. Follow the crack in the center of the slab through a bulge (A1) to the belay in an obvious alcove. Pitch 2 begins with 5.8 stemming out of the alcove to reach the easy crack and slab above. Walkoff left via easy but grungy 5.2 climbing (Left Walkoff).

Pro: 2 KBs, 2 Bugs, 3 LAs, Gear to 2.5"

7a) VERTICAL VEE A4 VAR:

Instead of taking one of the thin V cracks, stay in the corner via heads and hooks to the belay.

8) ROMP (5.8 PG, A2)

Climb the face 25' right of VV to a bolt at the lip of the obvious roof. Nail (A2) right along underside of roof to a short free romp into the belay. Pitch 2 ascends the steep headwall to easier slab climbing. Belay at the base of the upper wall. Left Walkoff: Traverse left via 3rd class rock to join the 5.2 walkoff for VV and the other LEFT SLAB routes or Upper Walkoff: Right and up 4th class direct to the rim.

Pro: 8 Bugs, 2 ea. 1/2" to 3/4", Gear to 2".

8a) ROMP A3 VAR:

At the beginning of the roof on Pitch 1 continue up to a secondary roof instead of traversing right. Rap from anchors.

9) GULP SWALLOW (5.10+)

Start beneath yellow face with roof, climb a crack past the roof to an overhanging arch to a barndoor lieback. Once past the crux jog left on easier moves to the belay of ROMP.

Pro: Gear to 2.5".

10) SWALLOW RIGHT (5.10, A2)

Climb GULP SWALLOW for 40 feet but continue right on the arching crack (A2). At the end of the crack tackle a large block to an interesting 5.7 traverse onto the belay ledge. Top out via ONE FOR THE ROAD or Lower Walkoff, 4th class (down and right).

Pro: 3 KBs, 2 Bugs, 2 LAs, 2 ea. 1/2", Gear to 4".

11) ONE FOR THE ROAD (5.7 PG)

From belay ledge head up and left. Airy, weird and sometimes scary...sounds fun eh? Exit via Upper Walkoff to rim.

Pro: 5 pins (LA long, thin to 3/4"), Gear to 2".

12) ASS OVER TEACUPS (5.9 PG)

Begin atop some large boulders at the extreme right of the THE SLAB. Follow finger crack past a bolt to small roof. Work into the ramp to the right via slopers (crux), then face climb past a second bolt to belay ledge. Top out via ONE FOR THE ROAD or Lower Walkoff.

Pro: 2 KBs, 2 Bugs, 1 ea. 1/2" and 3/4", Gear to 1.5".

THE ROOF

Route Descriptions (going left to right)

13) HERCULES HAND CRACK (5.8)

Overhung fist crack with good exposure up and to the left of The Roof. Reach the climb's start by downclimbing and traversing in on a ledge from the rim.

Pro: Gear to 3.5".

14) PURSUIT OF PAIN (5.9 PG, A4)

Begins under the rightmost side of the huge roof that gives the area its name. Face climb past 3 bolts to finger crack with 4 fixed pins. A 5.9 mantle and 2 more bolts put you at the first sling belay. Pitch 2 traverses left out a small roof (A2) to a short, overhung crack with a bathook (an ex-dowel) to a ledge. From the ledge climb a 5.7 dihedral to the belay. Pitch 3 is a 130' left traversing series of thin cracks (A4) to a belay in an alcove. Pitch 4 is more difficult nailing, but bolt protected. Top out via 5.6 stemming and mantles. NOTE: Pitch 2 contains a very sharp edge. To avoid chopping your rope, clip the rope into the double bolts on STAY OF EXECUTION.

Pro: 8 RURPs, 10 KBs, 10 Bugs, 8 LAs, 2 ea. 1/2", 4 ea. 3/4", RPs, heads, Gear to 2".

15) STAY OF EXECUTION (5.8 PG, A3)

Obvious line to the right of the big roof. Climb vertical crack (A2) to a bad bolt. A1 climbing leads left into an arch where a tension traverse reaches the sling belay of PURSUIT OF PAIN. Pitch 2 follows PoP up to the slab below a roof. Climb up (5.8) onto the upper slab passing 3 bolts (one is doubled) to the second belay in a crack in the slab. Watch rope drag. Pitch 3 tackles the dramatic line out the roof (A2) via the top crack to an airy sling belay. Pitch 4 starts with 5.6 free climbing to a ledge overhead, then hooks right into an A2 crack. From this crack's end, unprotected 5.5 climbing reaches the rim. Watch rope drag.

Pro: 1 RURP, 2 KBs, 2 Bugs, 8 LAs, 4 ea. 1/2" to 3/4", hooks including bathooks, Gear to 3".

16) FOWL PLAY (5.6, A3)

Begin in the same crack as STAY OF EXECUTION but continue straight up (A3) to a ledge. Pitch 2 traverses right (A2) for a very short pitch. Pitch 3 begins with an easy free section, finishing via an easy, but double-overhung corner to the rim.

Pro: 1 RURP, 2 KBs, 2 Bugs, 5 LAs, 2 ea. 1/2" to 3/4", hooks, Gear to 2".

THE DIHEDRAL

Route Descriptions (going left to right)

17) DUNLAP BOLT LADDER (C1)

Starting at the "Wacky" graffiti, follow six good bolts/rivets up the face below the obvious dihedral right of the Roof area to a good ledge. The gear list below is for the last few moves after the bolts. Traverse left to reach anchors.

Pro: Black and Green Aliens, .5 Camalot, rivet hangers, biners.

18) UNKNOWN (?)

From the ledge at the top of DUNLAP BOLT LADDER, this route heads left and ascends a chimney to the summit.

Pro: Unknown. Do it and give us the beta.

19) RIVETS AND BITS (A2)

From the ledge at the top of DUNLAP BOLT LADDER, go straight to the summit where you'll find anchors on a sloping ledge. Some bunk rivets and blown heads.

Pro: Copperheads, rivet hangers. Probably needs other gear too. May want a cheat stick.

20) THE DIHEDRAL (5.8, A3)

From the ledge at the top of DUNLAP BOLT LADDER, freeclimb (5.8) up and right towards the dihedral. Ascend the stellar dihedral passing one bolt. At the top of the dihedral the rock is very LOOSE. Traverse left along a thin crack to the sloping ledge that has the top anchors for RIVETS AND BITS. This is pretty ugly. Alternately, instead of traversing completely left from the top of the dihedral, continue up when a micro vertical crack is reached. Upon topping out, walk over to the RIVETS AND BITS anchor.

Pro: Gear from Aliens (mostly blue and green) to #3 Camalot. Peckers, RURP, 1-2 ea. #1-#2 KBs, 1 ea. 1/2", 1 ea. 3/4", cam hooks.

21) RIVET LADDER (A2)

Two routes start at a single bolt to the left of the white graffiti dinosaur, this is the left one. Begin with some large TCUs and Camalot Jr.-sized pro up an expanding crack to reach the rivet ladder. Four 1/4" buttonheads, some with fixed cable hangers lead up to some fixed heads. Nine more bolts get you to the anchor.

Pro: 1 ea. Yellow and Red Aliens, 1 ea .5 and .75 Camalot, cam hooks, rivet hangers, big circle heads, long runners.

22) A THIN SEAM (A3+)

Starting at the "dino" graffiti, freeclimb the obvious dihedral (5.9 R) to a spot just below the first bolt. Smallest Leeper Cam Hook will get you to the 1/4" bolt. Continue up the thin seam using pins to a good ledge. Second pitch is a short, 4 bolt ladder which leads into a thin and loose-looking crack/flake system. Third pitch looks awesome. Guesstimate rating at A2 at the bottom and A3 at the top.

Pro for Pitch 1: No nuts, only a couple cams. 1 Pecker, many #1 -#2 KBs, thin LAs, 1 ea. .75 Camalot, wire brush. Pitch 2-3: You're on your own.

23) UNKNOWN (A2)

This is the route to the right of A THIN SEAM.

Pro: ?

RIGHT END OF MAIN WALL

Route Descriptions (going left to right). No photo.

25) UNKNOWN (A2)

See RUN AMOK for starting location. This route climbs a series of curving flakes left of RUN AMOK. Begin with some 3rd class climbing up to a left curving flake/arch. Follow this up and left, past a bolt. Continue up a loose, right-facing flake (A2), passing a fixed pin and ending on a ledge.

Pro: Unknown.

25) RUN AMOK (5.9, A3)

This 3 pitch route is left of a 5.11a glue-up with 4 bolts near a Pepper Tree. Easy face climb up to a left facing corner. Climb this corner (5.6) to a section of thin aid (A3) up to a ledge with 3 bolts. The second pitch is a left-facing fist crack (5.9) which passes some loose flakes. Third pitch is a series of bolt protected mantles and finger cracks in blocks leading to a flared chimney. This chimney ends in an alcove which requires an improbable-looking mantle with awesome exposure. Caution, many loose blocks on this route.

Pro: 1 ea. RURP, 3 KBs, 2 Bugaboos, 6 LAs, several 1/2" and 5/8" angles, 1 ea. Gear from 3/4" to 3 1/2".

END BUTTRESS

Route Descriptions (going left to right). No photo.

A) ARETE (5.11 or A2)

The sharp arete to a right facing corner on the south face of the Main Wall (around the corner to the right).
Pro: Quickdraws, hooks (?)

B) AGONY ARCH (5.11 or A1)

Difficult overhanging and curving crack to the right of a roof. Fist/OW or easy aid.
Pro: Gear to 3".

C) AGONY ARCH A2 VAR:

At 2/3rds height, take the thin left leaning crack and climb to roof. Rejoin AGONY ARCH to the top.

Pro: Gear to 3". Thin pins.

D) HUMP OR DUMP (5.8)

Sweet 5.8 finger crack right of AGONY ARCH.

Pro: Gear to 2".

E) QUAKE AND SHAKE FLAKES (5.10d)

Begin up an easy crack to the right of HUMP OR DUMP and face climb past two bolts via large and partially detatched flakes. Head right after the last bolt. Be careful not to pull off the flakes on this fun route.

Pro: Quickdraws.

F) VALIANT FLAIL TO NO AVAIL (5.11) not shown

Difficult face climbing past one bolt at midheight. Shares anchor with QUAKE AND SHAKE FLAKES. Height dependent.

Pro: Quickdraws.

MT. RUBIDOUX

Area Description

Directions

CROSS ROCK AREA

Route Descriptions (beginning at Northeast corner of crag, and going left to right)

1) MAJOR BOLT LADDER (C1)

Northwest of the summit cross is Major/Cross Rock. Overhanging bolt ladder on northeast face of Major/Cross Rock.
Pro: Biners.

2) MAJOR ARETE (A2)

Climb the arete between the A MAJOR CONCEPT route and the MAJOR BOLT LADDER. Begin with a fixed RURP, to a small Leeper cam hook, up to a nut placement. Then 3 or 4 1/4" bolts (need rivet/keyhole hangers). After the bolts you enter the roof section
passing four fixed RURPs, a 1/4" bolt and a fixed head. The last couple moves require a couple small Alien cams.
Pro: Several small Aliens, nuts, 4 rivet hangers, micro Leeper cam hook.

3) A MAJOR CONCEPT (5.12a or C2)

This route ascends a bolt ladder to a left arching flake, then past a roof on the west face of Major/Cross Rock. Quite fun. It's a free route so climb hammerless.
Pro: Gear to 1".

3a) Variation (A2)

Climb A MAJOR CONCEPT to below the roof then traverse left around the arete, following a thin crack.
Pro: Gear to 1", KBs, LAs, RURPs, beaks.

4) MINOR BOLT LADDER (C1)

Directly across from MAJOR BOLT LADDER on south face of large boulder (MINOR).
Pro: Biners.

THE ISLAND

Route Descriptions (beginning at far left of crag, and going left to right)

5) ON THE ISLAND (A2)

Southwest corner of the the Island, a formation a hundred yards down the road from the old "Lower Parking Area." This is where the hiking trail comes up from the parking lot at the bottom of the hill. Climb discontinuous cracks to the right of the southwest arete (K.P.'s ARETE).

6) HIS PUBES (A3)

First rock north of K.P.'s ARETE and ON THE ISLAND. This route climbs the crack on the north face of this rock, just right of the bombay chimney, HER CRACK, 5.10

BLACK BLOCK

7) BLACK BLOCK BOLT LADDER (C1+)

From the "Lower Parking Area", head northeast to the road which heads down past Borson's Wall which is on the north side of the road. This route climbs the southeast face of the large, squarish, black block directly south of Borson's Wall.
Pro: Small Alien, FISH Doubloon, hooks.

SUPERSTAR SLAB

Route Descriptions (beginning at far left of crag, and going left to right)

8) HANGMAN (A3)

Continue northeast from the "Upper Parking Lot", past the Triangle Boulders to the top of Superstar Slab (below and left of the road). This route climbs the east face of Superstar Slab, left of COATHANGER, 5.12c.