Lower PINTAC Canyon | King Mesa

Canyoneering Lower PINTAC Canyon - King Mesa Canyoneering Lower PINTAC Canyon

King Mesa

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: 4A X

Sun

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. West wind 3 to 10 mph.

63 | 37

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

69 | 37

Tue

A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.

58 | 42

Wed

A slight chance of snow showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

57 | 32

Thu

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

59 | 36

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Spring, Fall
GEAR: Standard Technical Gear / 20 m webbing
RAPPELS: 2 to 22 m ( 73 ft. )
WATER: Generally little or none.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate/High

Sun

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. West wind 3 to 10 mph.

63 | 37

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

69 | 37

Tue

A chance of rain showers before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 58.

58 | 42

Wed

A slight chance of snow showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

57 | 32

Thu

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

59 | 36

View Full Weather Details
Nice canyon below the narrow slot.

Nice canyon below the narrow slot.

Pain In The Ass Canyon, or PINTAC as it is more commonly known, is said to be a beast! I know of only one group of expert climbers that descended the whole canyon. They reported hours unprotected of off-width up and down climbs - some of the hardest climbing they had done. I am a climber, but multiple unprotected 30-40 ft off width up/down climbs are way beyond my comfort zone.

This route is LOWER PINTAC, the bottom part of the canyon. Though tamer than the upper section, this section is still X-rated, with much exposed high stemming.

Unlike its neighbor DDI and Big Tony, the high stemming section is a bit shorter, maybe around 1-1.5 hours for most groups. The lower part of the canyon, below the high stemming, is quite beautiful.

Warning: This is a hard canyon for expert canyoneers and climbers only. You will be stemming for 1-1.5+ hours unprotected 12 m ( 40 ft. )+ off the canyon floor. A slip could easily be fatal. All members of the group must be at an expert level!
Looking at the lower section on the approach, below the tight slot.

Looking at the lower section on the approach, below the tight slot.

MRK getting started down the canyon.

MRK getting started down the canyon.

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