Carving a path up the towering 'Sword' pillar in El Potrero Chico, Earth, Moon, and Planets offers an intense encounter that tests both mental grit and precise footwork. As you approach the left-hand dihedral spreading across the rock face, the climb immediately demands respect. This single-pitch sport route, set in the rugged expanse of Las Estrellas South, challenges with a rare combo: technical routesetting paired with a fiercely run-out nature that defines the classic Jeff Jackson style. The rock under your fingertips feels solid yet weathered, and every move needs calculated commitment.

At roughly 110 feet, this climb provides a concentrated burst of vertical exposure, with just six bolts to punctuate the line, leaving gaps that ask for boldness without sacrificing safety. The rating of 5.9 R signals a route that is approachable to strong sport climbers but warns of the serious consequences should a slip occur. Every handhold invites a negotiation, while the dihedral offers natural features you must use with finesse—body positions shift, edges challenge, and the crack system pulls you upward, sandpapered by the hot northern Mexico sun.

El Potrero Chico’s landscape frames the climb perfectly. Its desert air carries a dry heat that presses on your skin, while the distant peaks of Nuevo Leon stretch toward the sky. Early morning offers cooler temperatures and a sun cast lower, softening shadow lines across the rock face. By midday, the sun drapes the climb directly, heating the stone and demanding snug finger tape or chalk management to maintain grip.

This route embodies adventure with a practical edge. While it boasts sport protection, the runouts leave no room for hesitation. Climbers should be prepared mentally for the seriousness rooted in their distance from quick clips and confident in placing their trust in the bolts above and their own skill below. It’s a climb that encourages pacing—slow and deliberate moves where balance and footwork command the rhythm.

Planning your ascent here means preparing for a remote approach that immerses you in the vast northern Mexico desert setting. The trail to Las Estrellas Canyon is a steady path but demands good footwear and hydration, especially during warmer seasons. Carry extra water and start early to avoid the midday heat. Anchoring is straightforward, lowering off the Sword’s established fixed points, but do check your gear before the push.

Earth, Moon, and Planets doesn’t oversell itself with flourish. It’s direct, confrontational, and rewarding for those ready to meet its challenges. Whether you’re pushing your boundaries on runout 5.9 terrain or soaking up El Potrero Chico’s raw, sun-soaked geology, this route is a compact lesson in focus, risk, and reward.