North America, United States, New Mexico, South Face of Brazos Peak

Publication Year: 1956.

South Face of Brazos Peak, New Mexico. An excellent climbing area exists on the south face of Brazos Peak in northern New Mexico. The face varies in height from 500 to 3,000 feet, the angle from 60 degrees to vertical. The cliffs, which are readily accessible from a road leading to Corkins Lodge by leaving U.S. Highway 84 at Park View, extend for several miles and are composed of extraordinarily sound rock. Two routes have been completed on the face. Known as “Easy Ridge” and the "Great Couloir,” they are the most prominent ridge and the couloir leading rather directly to the summit. Each involved about 2,000 feet of roped climbing and the use of about 10 pitons, mostly for safety. Each route was completed on the third attempt. Most of the face remains to be explored, but I do not hesitate to recommend the area as a playground for rock climbers. The peak can be ascended from the north by jeep almost to the summit.

George Bell