Rap and Catwalk Approach from Easterly End

Use good judgment when relying on any fixed line.  And consider using your own rope and protection on the way in while inspecting the fixed lines for possible use in an emergency to retreat back out and up.This page is hoped to be a collection point of current information folks wish to post about the condition of the fixed lines.  Please use the "Improve this page" link to provide significant updates, or comment below.  Also, while this has been marked 4th class, the easterly handline covers terrain around 5.6 or 5.7 without aide.Here are the rope lengths which are long enough to accommodate knots and end-point tie offs.  Also included are the last-known replacement datesrap line: 80 ft (white static)  Aug 2019 to intermediate tree then 90 ft (black) Jun 2020easterly hand line: 100 ft; Oct 2017 (purple) & Aug 2018 (red)westerly hand line: 65 ft; Oct 2017 (purple) & Aug 2018 (pink)Static lines - when available - are considered by many as better than dynamic lines for this application.  A typical tie-off is shown in a beta photo.In the past, the rap line seems to last about a year at best - depends on wind conditions of the year as well as how much slack is left in the system when tying it off at the bottom. The other lines appear to last longer.At least a half dozen routes were put up on the SE end of The Shield prior to the establishment of the Sandia Wilderness in 1978.  It seems likely that approach via fixed ropes - rap and handlines - also existed back then given the greater challenge of hiking up from below.

From North Sandia Peak, start by working your way down the ridge that heads west towards the Knife Edge.  Find a huge flat area on the ridge top after passing through a few modest ones.  There, at the old fire ring, turn left and traverse SSE towards the rap station.  Mostly traverse horizontally with a slight downward trend using faint game trails and intuition.  Perhaps someone will post lat/lon for the rap station.

Also see the beta photo showing the approximately location.  The faint trail reappears in earnest as one nears the approach gully that then leads down about 30 feet and then skier's right about 20 feet to a large evergreen tree with rap line.

The "protection" consists of fixed lines for prusiks and personal tethers with lockers.  However, one can use available links at the rap anchor to rap on your own rope.  Also, you can lead your way through the handline sections using your own gear and rope.