The Rectory (Utah)

The Rectory[1] is a 6,565-ft sandstone summit in Grand County of Utah, United States. The Rectory is located at Castle Valley, Utah, near the city of Moab. The Rectory is a thin 200 feet (61 m) wide, and 1,000 feet (305 m) long north-to-south butte with 200 ft vertical Wingate Sandstone walls tower standing on a 1,000 foot Moenkopi-Chinle base. Precipitation runoff from The Rectory drains into the nearby Colorado River. The nearest higher peak is Castleton Tower, 0.35 miles (0.56 km) to the south.[1] Priest and Nuns are towers immediately north and part of The Rectory.[2] Further northwest along the connecting ridge is The Convent, with a rock tower called Sister Superior between the two. The first ascent was made May 22, 1962, by Harvey Carter and Cleve McCarty via Empirical Route.[3] Harvey Carter named this geological feature.[4]

The Rectory
The Rectory (left) and Castleton Tower (right) seen from Utah State Route 128
Highest point
Elevation6,565 ft (2,001 m) [1]
Prominence405 ft (123 m) [1]
Coordinates38°39′22″N 109°22′02″W [1]
Geography
The Rectory
Location in Utah
The Rectory
The Rectory (the United States)
LocationGrand County, Utah
United States
Parent rangeColorado Plateau
Topo mapUSGS Fisher Towers
Geology
Type of rockWingate Sandstone
Climbing
First ascent1962
Easiest routeClimbing class 5.9

Climbing Routes

Classic Climbing Routes on The Rectory[5]

Music Videos

The Jon Bon Jovi music video Blaze of Glory was filmed at The Rectory. The Australian band Heaven also filmed their Knockin' on Heaven's Door music video on top of The Rectory.

Climate

Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit, when highs average 60 to 80 °F (15.5 to 26.6 °C) and lows average 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to +10 °C). Summer temperatures often exceed 100 °F (37.7 °C). Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 °F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 °F (-17.7 to -6.6 °C). As part of a high desert region, it can experience wide daily temperature fluctuations. The area receives an average of less than 10 inches (254 mm) of rain annually.

References
  1. "The Rectory" Lists of John.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Priest and Nuns
  3. https://www.deserttowersbook.com/first-ascentssince-1911
  4. Eric Bjørnstad, American Alpine Journal, 1987
  5. The Rectory Mountain Project
  • The Rectory, Priest and Nuns (left)
  • The Rectory (left) and Castleton Tower (right)
  • The Rectory seen from Fisher Towers
  • Crux Pitch of Fine Jade
  • The Priest seen from The Rectory
  • The Rectory, Priest and Nuns to left
360° panorama from the top of Castleton Tower. Left to right: Adobe Mesa, Round Mountain, Castle Valley, Parriott Mesa, Convent (Mesa), Sister Superior, and The Rectory farthest to right. (Three clicks to enlarge)
Left to right: Castleton Tower, The Rectory, Sister Superior, Convent Mesa, Parriott Mesa, Highway 128

See also
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