Kino Peak, though only class 3, was considered by many to be much more awsome than the higher classed Babo. After all, on Babo one was on belay, so what could possibly happen! But nobody mentioned the knife-edge traverses, the hairy down-climbs to get across the U-notch, the steep slope below, and the too-friendly cholla (it really does jump at one, doesn't it?). We did the peak via route B in Randy Bernard's fine new peak guide. Between the pass due east of the peak and the peak itself is a prominent large buttress, which we skirted on the south side on the climb. This appears to be a good choice. However, on the descent we went around it on the north side which led to an interesting variation including down-climbing or climbing around dry waterfalls. This obviously would not be a safe down-climb for a large group under wet slippery conditions.

All participants who started out made the summit, and all got back to the roadhead to enjoy plenty of daylight and champagne to celebrate Bobby Dubeua's list finishing of the previous day. The participants were the three leaders and: Julie Bernard, Richard Carey, Beth & Ralph Davis, Bobby Dubeau, Martha Flores, Paul Freiman, Gail Hanna, Keats Hayden, Dave Jurasevich, En Lee Lin, Rich May, Gary Murta, Ken Olson, Dave Petzold, and Carolyn West.

Cerro Pinacate on day 4 (Sunday) was only for the few who could afford the fourth climbing day or were the hardy who would spend most of that night driving back to the L.A. area for Monday morning work. only 5 climbers: Bill and Dale, Dave Petzold, Tom Scott, and Carolyn West, plus Keats, on Saturday evening drove down to the border town of Lukeville, at the southern edge of Organ pipe, purchased insurance, took on drinking water, got a recommendation for a good Restaurant in Sonoita. Following the good directions given us by the Mexican Insurance agent, we found the Las Brasas Restaurant down an unlikely dirt road. The place was clean and cheery, the food excellent and very reasonable. Dale brought in his very best Trader Joe's cheap wine, and we feasted on generous helpings of shrimp, etc. for less than $5 per person. We than headed SW on Mexico 8, then onto a fair desert road to about 5 miles from the trailhead, where we camped for the night.

After another late (7 am) rise and breakfast we 4-wheeled it on a less than fair road to the trailhead. The route started out over lavabeads and through lava blocks. However, it soon improved, or rather, changed to cholla splattered slopes, the true route being defined as the way through the least cholla. Keats had thoughtfully loaned the group a pair of needle-nose pliers, which were passed back and forth throughout the climb. About halfway in we met the Bartell's who had gone in earlier than we and were on their way out. the summit slope was pure drudgery on lava scree. On top, when Tom spotted Keats' name in the summit register for a 1984 climb, he cracked: "Now there's one smart woman. No one in his right mind would climb this thing twice". However, in all fairness, the top did present one of the grandest views one could wish for. Below, beyond the
 
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