Sunday, drove 11 (not 13!), miles down the Ajo Mountain Drive to the trailhead. The route was scenic and straightforward - no surprises. Atop Mt Ajo, we correctly identified the surrounding peaks and had a relaxing lunch. Back to the cars by 2:30 PM. A gorgeous sunset accompanied us on the way home. The perfect way to end a perfect trip.
Bob Sumner
KINO -
BABOQUIVARI - WEAVERS NEEDLE - SUPERSTITIONTHANKSGIVING WEEKEND 1992
PRIVATE TRIP
11/26/92 - KINO PEAK - Guide 8.7 DRIVE/CUMB ROUTE A: Our group, of six met Wednesday evening and we camped at the cattle guard just outside the Organ Pipe National Monument boundary. The 12.3 miles of dirt road to this point is still in excellent condition. Thursday morning, we drove 4.0 miles on poor dirt to Bates Well/Route A. Since Bates Well is a fee area, I Mailed a check to obtain a permit in order to avoid driving down to Organ Pipe HQ. Write ahead to:
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Route 1, Box 100
Ajo, Arizona 85321
Attn: Fee Supervisor
Explain your schedule/itinerary and intention(s). Make your check payable to the National Park Service. For more information, call OPCNM/ORPI at 1-602-387-6849. I paid $3.00 per vehicle. FYI : We noticed that the 2ND edition DPS Guide Book labels the Bates Well Trailhead as Route B.
We were off by 8:30 AM. in good weather, and in several hours we arrived at the broad saddle at 1800'.
From this vantage point, Kino's sheer E face and imposing N face seem insurmountable. From the saddle, the prominent pinnacle at 308 degrees is clearly visible. Once beyond this landmark and back on the ridge line, the route begins to become vague. It was at this point, our route finding skills were challenged. The Guide directs you to "continue to a point just below the cliffs on the skyline ridge". There was much deliberation amongst our group as to just HOW FAR "JUST below the cliffs" the intended route was. After much scouting, both too high and too low JUST below the cliffs on the skyline ridge", we FINALLY found the crux duck where you "turn left" (S), "traversing under the base of the cliffs on steep, loose ground". I estimate that the (crux) "turn left" is about 150 feet vertically "below the (top of the) cliffs on the skyline ridge". From this point, the route is well-ducked and goes remarkably easy, even with several pitches of easy C13, to the "U" notch between Kino and its lower northern neighbor. From the notch, per the Guide, the route "snakes its way up" the seemingly impossible N face where the summit is easily gained. The canister and register are in good condition. The return route went well, and we arrived at the trucks near sunset, enjoying the late-afternoon-hazy-orange-sun as it silhouetted the Organ Pipe Forest. After a quick snack and change of clothes, we departed for the cabin at Baboquivari Campground. Summiteers: Bob Pinscher, Russell Glavis, Suzanne Booker, Terry Flood, Gerhardt Japp, and Mark Adrian (author)
Arriving an hour or so later in Sells, AZ, we had to locate the Baboquivari Park Ranger's house in the dark (an adventure unto itself) where we picked up our group permit - $20 for the four vehicles. After another half-hour of driving, we were at the Baboquivari cabin. The 12.2 mile dirt road is good for the first 10 or 11 miles, but it seems to have gotten a little worse (more rocky) the last mile or so since I was there last year - still, though, not too bad. We were welcomed at the cabin by Fred Bright, our technical leader, and another group from San Diego, led by Richard Hughes, who had done the peak that day. After dinner and lots of tale swapping, we finally got to bed around midnight.
11/27/92- BABOQUIVARI PEAK - Guide 8.9: Presuming you obtain your permit at the Baboquivari District Office, the drive in, per the Guide's 8.9 road map, goes well. However, we had a slight detour, since we had to locate the Ranger's house Thanksgiving evening, where we picked up our permit.
We were up before dawn, and departed the cabin at twilight crossing the campground to the trailhead, we met Bill Oliver's group, who were just getting started as well. Since our group arrived at the 80' fourth class wall first (near 10:00 A.M.), our technical leader, Fred Bright, skillfully led the pitch while on belay from Terry Flood. As usual, it was cold at the bottom of the pitch, even though the weather was sunny and dear. Our group ascended the pitch hi good order and unanimously agreed how COLD the rock was - it felt like ice! It's interesting to note that in Annerino's Adventurina in Arizona book (Page 105), he describes the crux move on this pitch as an "...unprotected, lichen-covered 5.6 move to the first old stairway anchor. You may find this rating subjective, as we did. Fred belayed up a climber from Bill's group and then our group continued on up the peak. We were disappointed to see that the old glass bottle register had broken and the contents blown away.