New Mexico
Crescit Eundo
Okay, I admit I am a little biased to this place since I was born and raised here. The entire state is home to only 1.7 million people. Quite an empty place for the fifth largest state of the Union (121,359 sq. mi.). The Land of Enchantment benefits climbers with varied rock resulting from the Colorado Plateau and heavy volcanic activity. Starting in the northern part of the state, Basalt cracks abound in the Atomic home of Los Alamos. Cobbles similar to Maple canyon (Ut) are found in El Rito. Heading south the Sandias near Albuquerque are home to the most multi-pitch climbs in the state ranging from 5.5 III to 5.11+ III. Socorro is the gateway to the Socorro Box and Enchanted Tower, and two hours south is Las Cruces with the Dona Anas, Organ mountains and City of Rocks. Beware of missiles from the White Sands Missile Range when climbing in the Organs. Another hour south is the border city of El Paso (in Texas - don't blame NM for that) and Hueco Tanks, a world unto its own.
One thing to remember, the older climbing areas (Dona Anas, Las Cruces, Las Conchas, Sandias, etc.) have a tendency of having stiff/sandbag ratings. Beware.
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