On Friday, November 5th, I arrived at the Big Picacho Roadhead to lead a private trip up to one of our favorite summits. On arriving, I was somewhat dismayed to see that there were people camped not more than 50 to 100 feet from the Roadhead.
The reason for my dismay was that I envisioned a possible rip-off of cars and equipment while climbing. As it turned out, we had a bigger problem than fear of rip-off. The campers turned out to be Mexican Borrego hunters and had set up semi-permanent facilities for the duration of their hunting season (said to be November 6th to January 1). We were told in no uncertain terms that we would not be allowed to go up Diablo Canyon (nor any other canyon in that area) because they did not want us spooking the sheep. We were shown a permit issued in 1978 by the Mexican government which allowed them to hunt these animals. Although they were polite to us, they were adamant in their position, and since they outnumbered us about 4 to 1 (to say nothing about their guns), I could find no really good basis for argument.
Subsequently, I contacted a business acquaintance in Mexicali and was informed that sheep hunting is permitted in Baja and it is a rather expensive proposition. It costs the hunter about $5000 for the permit from the government. He also has to pay a guide and an inspector authorized by the government. It might run the hunter as much as $10,000 to get his sheep. So although I am not in favor of killing these animals, I can understand a little better the position of the people we encountered at the Roadhead.
For those who might hesitate to attempt Big P during this same period next year, my friend also pointed out that the hunters do not necessarily camp in one place for the duration of the season, but may move around depending on the availability of sheep.
| Mar | 12-13 26-27 26-27 26-27 |
Tin/Nelson Pahrump/Nopah Hayford/Stirling Glass/Paiute Monument |
Machleder/Brecheen Russell/Akawie Brecheen/Vernon Valkass/Blauvelt |
| Apr | 9-10 9-10 9-10 16-17 16-17 |
Indianhead/Picacho Pk. Tucki/Corkscrew Sombrero/Jacumba New York Mtn./Clark 5th Annual Argus Pk Climb |
Jones/Brecheen Olsen/Pinson Neuner/Hill S.Smith/Camphausen Jones/Rohn/Clark |
| Apr | 30-May
1 30-May 1 |
Potosi/Moapa Eagle #2/Brown |
Bradley/Reber Valkass/Hartunian |
| May | 7-8 7-8 13-15 |
Corkscrew/Eagle #2 Grapevine/Palmer Baboquivari/Kofa |
Jones/Brecheen Olsen/Pinson Jones/Bradley |
| Jun | 4-5 10-12 |
McCullough/Potosi Baboquivari/Kino |
Jones/Harsh Camphausen/S.Smith |