The Rectory (Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Rectory |
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The Rectory (left) and Castleton Tower (right) seen from Utah State Route 128
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,565 ft (2,001 m) |
| Prominence | 405 ft (123 m) |
| Geography | |
 The Rectory
Location in Utah
The Rectory
Location in the United States
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| Location | Grand County, Utah United States |
| Parent range | Colorado Plateau |
| Topo map | USGS Fisher Towers |
| Type of rock | Wingate Sandstone |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1962 |
| Easiest route | Climbing class 5.9 |
The Rectory is a tall, impressive rock formation in Utah, United States. It's a sandstone peak, reaching 6,565 feet (about 2,000 meters) high. You can find it in Castle Valley, Utah, close to the city of Moab.
This amazing rock is like a long, thin wall, about 200 feet (61 meters) wide and 1,000 feet (305 meters) long. It has very steep, straight walls made of Wingate Sandstone that rise 200 feet (61 meters) from its base. Any rain that falls on The Rectory flows into the nearby Colorado River.
The Rectory is part of a group of cool rock formations. The nearest taller peak is Castleton Tower, which is just a short distance to the south. Right next to The Rectory, to the north, are two other rock towers called Priest and Nuns. Further away, along the same ridge, you'll find The Convent and a tower named Sister Superior.
The first time someone successfully climbed The Rectory was on May 22, 1962. The climbers were Harvey Carter and Cleve McCarty, and they used a path called the Empirical Route. Harvey Carter was the one who gave this unique rock formation its name.
Climbing The Rectory
The Rectory is a popular spot for rock climbing because of its tall, steep walls. Climbers use special ropes and gear to make their way up.
Here are some of the well-known climbing paths on The Rectory:
- Fine Jade - This route is 5 pitches long.
- Ministry - Another 5-pitch route.
- Coyote Calling - This path is 4 pitches long.
- Crack Wars - A 4-pitch route.
- Find Shade - Also a 4-pitch climb.
- Empirical Route - This was the first route ever climbed on The Rectory, and it's 3 pitches long.
The Rectory in Music Videos
The Rectory's amazing looks have made it a star in music videos!
- The famous singer Jon Bon Jovi filmed parts of his music video for the song Blaze of Glory right here.
- The Australian band Heaven also filmed their music video for Knockin' on Heaven's Door on top of The Rectory.
Weather at The Rectory
The best times to visit The Rectory are in the spring and fall. During these seasons, the weather is usually nice.
- High temperatures are typically between 60 and 80 °F (15.5 to 26.6 °C).
- Low temperatures are usually between 30 and 50 °F (-1.1 to +10 °C).
Summers can get very hot, often going above 100 °F (37.7 °C). Winters are cold, with highs around 30 to 50 °F and lows between 0 to 20 °F (-17.7 to -6.6 °C). Because it's in a high desert area, the temperature can change a lot between day and night. The area doesn't get much rain, usually less than 10 inches (254 mm) each year.
Gallery
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The Rectory, Priest and Nuns (left)
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The Rectory (left) and Castleton Tower (right)
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The Rectory seen from Fisher Towers
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Crux Pitch of Fine Jade
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The Priest seen from The Rectory
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The Rectory, Priest and Nuns to left
