Belgian Chongo offers a focused and straightforward trad climb that feels like a quiet conversation with Echo Rock’s rugged South Face. The route begins by slipping underneath a massive boulder, adding a brief moment of sheltered intrigue before you’re launched onto a clean slab. A solitary bolt marks the first technical section, guiding you past tricky, slabby terrain where careful footwork is critical. After this initial bolt-protected move, the angle mellows into an open horizontal ledge where medium-sized gear placements become possible, giving you a moment to settle and plan your next moves. From here, the climb turns into a smooth ascent across a slabby apron, demanding steady balance and focus as you work your way up to the top of the finishing block that connects with the well-known Pope’s Crack.

The entire 50-foot length is a brief but satisfying push that rewards with expansive views of the granite face and its sharp contours, grounding you firmly in Joshua Tree’s rugged desert environment. This pitch requires a strong sense of route-finding as it blends natural features with limited fixed protection. Once at the top, a gear-based belay offers security before a short, easy scramble leads to the communal rappel anchor shared by nearby routes, streamlining your descent.

The South Face here embodies that quintessential Joshua Tree character: exposed, scrubby, and unpretentious. The rock quietly demands respect, especially with the runout sections that can test your composure. With only one small bolt and a handful of gear placements—ranging from tiny cams to pieces up to three inches—getting your rack dialed will make the difference between a smooth climb and a nerve-racking experience.

Timing your climb for the cooler morning hours is wise, as the face receives full sun by midday, making holds hotter and hands sweatier in the desert heat. Early season and late fall bring comfortable temps ideal for working the slab. Water, sun protection, and solid footwear geared for precise edging will help keep you confident on the footwork-heavy slab. Even though it’s a short single pitch, Belgian Chongo demands focus and a stable mindset. The challenge lies in balancing risk with movement, making it an ideal test piece for trad climbers seeking a taste of Joshua Tree’s more understated routes.