I guess this is more befitting than having the register buried in some library's basement. Using a zip-lock bag and some scratch paper, we made a new register - a better one should replace this. We lounged at the sky-island summit, enjoying the warm, almost summer-like sun, and incredible views, until Bill's group arrived, at which point, we departed and left the summit to them. Back at the "wall", Terry Flood was our first rappeler, and helped steady the ropes while the remainder of our group followed in turn. While we were packing our ropes etc., for the return hike, numerous day hikers hovered around the base of the pitch, some of which were attempting alternate routes, seemingly unconcerned about any dangers. Back at the cabin near 4:00 P.M., we regrouped and finally departed about 5:00 for the Weavers Needle Trailhead. Summiteers: Fred Bright (leader), Terry Flood (co-leader), Suzanne Booker, Russell Glavis, Gerhardt Japp, Bob Pinsker, and Mark Adrian.
After a short stop at Bashas in Sells, we took AZ 19, AZ 86, then AZ 15 (all good roads) to Case Grande for dinner. From there, 110 to the newly-completed AZ 360 (Superstition Freeway) all the way to Apache Jct., where it gracefully merges with AZ 89, and finally, to the well-signed Peralta Road. We camped 100' from the trailhead's parking lot in a small, but sufficiently sized, parking niche on the S side of the road. Several campers found a convenient concrete slab nearby to sleep on. After setting up for the night, Terry and I scouted nearby camping areas, looking for Dave Jurasevich and Les Hill, our technical leaders. Dave's landmark "red Toyota Truck" was no where to be found; I had also failed to rendezvous with Dave on our HAM radios (most likely because we arrived later than planned). However, we did find Bill's group, and they agreed/suggested we head out first in the morning for the Route A climb.
The next morning, about 5:30 A.M., we were relieved to be awakened by Dave and Les, who had driven out (incognito) in Dave's Toyota sedan, the day before. Within an hour, our group was ready to go.
11/28/92- WEAVERS NEEDLE - Guide 8.4/CLIMB/ROUTE A: in great weather, the approach hike went well, except for a short, sandy wash a couple of miles in on the Bluff Springs Trail, where it fades, but then picks up again, about 200' upstream. There was also some deliberation about where to leave the Terrapin Trail near Bluff Saddle. The peak is more than obvious from this area, so plus-or-minus a "bump" after leaving the Terrapin Trail won't stop you from bagging the summit. In our case, we were "plus a bump" - insignificant, in my opinion, compared to what lie ahead. Continuing up steep and brushy 2nd class terrain, we reached the base of the first pitch on the sun baked E face of Weavers Needle about 10:00 A.M. where we donned our climbing harnesses. Here's where the "fun" began as we watched rock-madman (and all around good guy), Lester Hill, free climb the first, and crux, pitch. Next, expediters Fred and Terry, were belayed up (thanks Les), then they went on to setup belays for the next two Cl4 pitches. As the last of our group ascended the first pitch, Bill's group arrived, and, as on Babo, we belayed up the leader of their party. The next two, belayed (thanks Fred), short, and awkward Cl4 pitches went without incident to the V-notch. After the next (fourth), short, belayed (thanks Terry) Cl3/4 pitch, we regrouped, and followed Dave to the base of the next and final (fifth), exposed CI3/4 pitch. Once again, leader Les (Rock Doctor) Hill, free climbed this obstacle and belayed (thanks Les) us up to the summit's Cl2 slope. Exhilarated at the top, we were once again disappointed by a missing (ammo-can) register, which Dave searched for adamantly. Nevertheless, we had great views, good weather, and enjoyed a well-deserved rest until Bill's group reached the summit. Disrupting our solitude at the top, a helicopter buzzed the area several times (sorry, no HPS dropoffs).