Cochise Stronghold, December 26-30, 2008
We went to Cochise after visiting family & friends in Southern California. We watched the weather closely and arrived while it was snowing, but armed with a forecast that said the storm would pass and great weather would come. The storm didn't pass soon enough, though, and our first full day out there (the 27th) was chilly and the rock was wet. We hiked around that day. On the 28th we went to Stronghold Dome and climbed a few fun, short lines; the weather was excellent. On the 29th we climbed "The Climb Too Tough To Die" on the Sheepshead, which is a burly-sounding name for a very nice and well-protected route. We also got on a ridiculously fun traversey climb on the Muttonhead, whose name I don't know.
Aaron and Elliot dressed for a Christmas gathering in California.
Snow around our campsite in Cochise.
We went for a little hike. Here's Ed and Amy (photo: Aaron).
A cool tree.
Aaron.
Ed and his staff.
Aaron.
Aaron again.
Viv.
Cool rocks.
No shortage of rocks in Cochise.
Amy (photo: Aaron).
Ed, Viv, and Aaron walking down the road back to the campsite.
Warming up around the fire.
Aaron at a hanging belay on "Big Time" on the Stronghold Dome. This belay station offered crappy bolts and the potential for the leader to hit the belayer if they took the whipper on the runout slab above, so I belayed from a better place on another climb.
Aaron after the runout slab. (The bolt in the foreground is, obviously, another route.)
Amy on the last pitch of "Big Time." (Photo: Aaron.)
Aaron rappelling.
Sunset at the Stronghold Dome. Those with very good image processing abilities might be able to see Aaron on the rock in this picture.
The next day, Aaron on pitch 2 of "The Climb Too Tough to Die."
Matt from Santa Fe on the next route over, "Ewephoria."
Matt again.
Aaron on pitch....4, I think. Or maybe 5.
Another guy on "Ewephoria."
Aaron at the top of the Sheepshead.
Aaron and Amy.
The third guy from the New Mexico party on "Ewephoria" coming up the last pitch of "The Climb Too Tough to Die".
Aaron wandering around the top of the Sheepshead.
Looking up the lovely Sheepshead formation. Ed and Viv are in this picture, on "Absinthe of Mallet."
A fun climb on the Muttonhead. This traversing pitch involves an absolutely crazy, all-points-off sideways dyno to a jug (fortunately protected from above by a bolt for both leader and follower). Really, really fun!
A climber on the Sheepshead in the fading light.
The Sheepshead.
©2008 Amy Jordan; Email Me.