not like the map. Presuming you are going east on the Ajo-Tucson Hwy., turn right into Sells, Ariz. At 0.7 miles the road curves left to town, go straight ahead (right) toward San Miguel (no sign). At 7.8 miles there is a school at a small sign on the left, San Solano Mission School. Go straight for 1.3 miles, where a good wide dirt road turns left. Turn left on this road and go 7.4 miles. Where the main road curves left and a small road goes straight ahead, there are 3 faded signs reading Baboquivari and a ranger cabin to the right. Take the right hand road or most traveled road, at 0.9 mile take the right fork, at 0.5 mile another right fork, at 1.8 miles take left fork over the cattle guard, at 0.6 mile take right fork, at 1.0 mile take the right fork 0.2 mile to the unmarked campground. Leave the camp via the east end by the steel water tanks and walk up the trail about 500 yards past a stone water tank. 200 yds. past this tank turn right and follow the main trail high up, around and under the ridge to the south. There is a fourth class pitch near the summit. A rope is required to rappel down off the face under the remains of old wooden stairs. There are many cattle trails in and around the camp so it is very easy to get mixed up.
On the way home we climbed Little Picacho. A very nice trip.


MINER'S NEEDLE Nov. 22 by BARBARA REBER

A group of High Country Hikers (Loma Linda, Ca.) and a few Sierra Club mavericks ascended two of the Miner's Needles led by Jon Hardt and assisted by Dave Wallace and Phil Bruce. The First ascent was made in Jan, 1972 by Wally Henry, Ed Treacy, Darryl Kuhns, Vi Grasso and Dick May. The second ascent was made on Nov. 22, 1973 by the Jon Hardt group. There is a third Needle to conquer but the group ran out of light and the rains threatened. These needles are fifth class climbing, the second Needle has considerable exposure and a difficult down climb or a long rappel, There is an eye in the third Needle that is supposedly one of the markers for the fabled Peralta Mine. The myths of the Superstitions still abound.
Fortunately the prospectors can't figure out the rock climbers and leave them alone. We can go into the Superstitions with our topos and rock climbing gear with no fear of gun reprisal. But a pick, gun or ice axe............
Next year Jon hopes to return and climb all the Needles.


WEAVER'S NEEDLE Nov. 23-25 by BOB CATES

In the halcyon days of September when I first felt compelled to attempt Weaver's Needle, I did not envision that more than a half dozen friends could be talked into accompanying me on this daring venture. I was woefully ignorant of the drawing power that this peak exerts. It was during the South Guardian Angel climb that I made the acquaintance of Jon Hardt, the studious Loma Linda University Librarian, and discovered he also was planning a Thanksgiving climb of Weaver's Needle. Since Jon had already scaled twice Weaver's Needle, I welcomed the opportunity to join forces. The next factor to balloon our number was the result of the efficient climbers grapevine. As the fateful weekend approached, the list of participants grew ever larger, until I became forced to turn down supplicants, including some (former) very good friends. What had begun as a simple private outing was turning into a Frankenstein monster. I felt an absolute villain.
So it was with some trepidation that I arrived at Peralta Camp to learn that there would he at least 23 of us on the mountain, 13 comprising my party and the remainder in Jon's group. Hardt's party was just rousing from sleeping bags when my appointed departure hour arrived, so after some excellent route advice from Jon, our primed party began the 5 mile amble to Weaver's Needle. The downpour during the night did not seem to have dampened anyone's ardor, least of all those of us pansies who had put up in the local motels ( Ahhhh? Clean sheets and a soft Dry bed/), (The Don's Camp was pretty first class for those of us who roughed it. Ed.).
 
Page Index Prev Page 10 Next Issue Index