[Unregistered]

Anyone else notice the American flag on top of Weaver's Needle? Pretty neat. We went out to the tip of the outlook today and noticed something fluttering up there. Glad I had the binos in my pack.

That took some major major 'nads... must have been a pretty hairy climb!

[azhiker96]

I didn't notice it last time I was out but that's okay. I'm not a big fan of flying flags in the wilderness areas. I'd rather see them left as wild as possible. Also, I wonder if the folks who planted the flag will give it the proper care over time or just let it decompose due to exposure. Just a thought.

[Unregistered]

I didn't notice it last time I was out but that's okay. I'm not a big fan of flying flags in the wilderness areas. I'd rather see them left as wild as possible. Also, I wonder if the folks who planted the flag will give it the proper care over time or just let it decompose due to exposure. Just a thought.

Welll, I sort of agree with you. It's definitely not intrusive. That's for sure. I never would have noticed it if we weren't keeping an eye on the storm clouds passing by.

I would have to put it along the same lines as paint arrows/dots, cairns, stone piles, etc. I guess. I definitely do not agree with the "we made it to ship rock" graffiti on the Flatiron though.

[azhiker96]

I wouldn't mind seeing the flag flown at the trialhead. That would make it a lot easier to maintain too.

I worry too whether they'll start to propagate, Weaver's Needle, Minor's Needle, Fremont Saddle, Flat Iron, Papago Buttes, Camelback, etc. There's tons of places where a flag could fly proudly. I just wonder where I'd be able to hike without having man made items in view.

I know I am a bit extreme on this. ( I don't mind cairns but do consider paint dots to be graffiti.) I've gathered up and packed out other folks' orange peels, empty water bottles, candy wrappers, flip flops, etc.

Anyway, I do like seeing the flag wave proudly. I think we agree totally on that!!

[ck_1]

I know I am a bit extreme on this. ( I don't mind cairns but do consider paint dots to be graffiti.) I've gathered up and packed out other folks' orange peels, empty water bottles, candy wrappers, flip flops, etc.

I agree totally! Cairns are fine, but paint dots are forever.

[Unregistered]

Don't get me wrong here. I don't condone paint either, but it's already there in many places.

I was just trying to make a feeble point.

[ck_1]

Tom n Lea - sorry to have gotten off topic... ...the flag thing has been popping up every so often since 9/11...I know I've seen them on top of Camelback, Squaw and Picketpost as well...

Maybe Fritzski put the one on top of Weavers Needle...he's been talking about climbing it for a while now....

[dnaelting]

My brother and I noticed something in top of Weavers this weekend when we were hiking. With the zoom on my camera, I was able to see that it was an American flag. I was really torn. First, I am very patriotic and I love to see the flag. So I thought, "man is that cool, took some real work to get the flag there." Then the other voice said, "this is a wilderness, and now something has been left that will be seen by carefull observers."

I am still torn. I like it, and I wish it was not there.

[azhiker96]

I like seeing the Flag but I don't think it belongs out in the wilderness. Here's an example. Boynhisdog just posted a topic called a Day in the November Light. It's about his trek into Sycamore canyon. He posted some beautiful pictures of the canyon. Look at the pictures and then imagine a US flag flying in each one. That would detract from the hike experience for me. It would be like hearing a radio playing in the wilderness, even if the song were "God Bless America".

Okay, my ranting is over. Keep hiking buddy! That's what it's all about!

[scottmackey]

I guess I was either too far away or on the wrong side of Weaver's this weekend, I didn't see it. But in my personal opinion, it would have been cool to see the flag up there. It's not like the flag will be up there forever, I don't know. I don't have any problems with people putting up the flag in places such as this as long as it's not over done and it's nothing permanant.

[Unregistered]

I don't have any problems with people putting up the flag in places such as this as long as it's not over done and it's nothing permanant.

I have to say, it sure wasn't too easy to spot. At first, we thought it was someone standing up there and waving something at us. I could just barely make out the flag with my little binoculars.

Now, flags on Squaw and Camelback, that's a bit intrusive. And as far as paint dots go, I sure was glad to see a couple of them on Flatiron the first time up...

Hike on!

[Unregistered]

Tom n Lea - sorry to have gotten off topic... ...the flag thing has been popping up every so often since 9/11...I know I've seen them on top of Camelback, Squaw and Picketpost as well...

Maybe Fritzski put the one on top of Weavers Needle...he's been talking about climbing it for a while now....

No problem Colin. Anything "man-made" out in a wilderness is a touchy subject with some folks. I respect their mindset.

As far as Fritzski goes, has anyone seen him lately? Hope he hasn't run out of rope somewhere...

[Sredfield]

I agree, flags in the Wilderness and atop prominent peaks are out of place for two reasons. One-there is a protocol about maintenance, US flags should not be left to shred in the wind. I have stopped along the highways and picked up several of the window-mount flags that have blown off cars. Two-they detract from the wilderness. Everygthing has it's place.

[Fritzski]

Finally made it to the summit today after having it at the top of my list "sneering" at me for about the last two years. It was fantastic fun - the climbing somewhat easier, and the hike every bit as gruelling as I expected. We went up the west side.

The flag has just recently been replaced with a brand new shiny one (as chronicled in the sign-in log). It is fixed to a big century plant stalk jammed down into a large pile of rocks, which is rather appropriate for up there.

I'll have some pics up soon - look for a Fritzki trip log of the Base of Weavers hike (I don't think a "summary" is really appropriate since this is a bit out of the normal hiking realm).

[ck_1]

Fritzski - what would you rate the climb? Just curious...as (you know) it's been on my list as well...

Hey, purchased a 10 visit pass to Red Mountain tonight...little disappointed at the size of the bouldering area, as that is my prefered workout, but the convience to home should be a plus...

[Fritzski]

ck,

we went up the west side which is supposed to be the more difficult of the two approaches and went "left" of the "chockstone" at the top of the notch which was supposed to be the more difficult of the route choices at 5.4. I would say the most difficult climbing we encountered anywhere was really not more than 5.3 at most. The hand holds all the way up are like the rungs on a ladder making for very "fun" climbing. The only pitch we even bothered protecting was the first (we combined 1 and 2 as per "Rock Climbing Az"), since it was the most sustained and we wanted to use some of the stuff we hauled all the way up there, if just for practice. Some sections, although extremely exposed, are very easy (don't look down ).

The rope proved invaluable for the descent allowing for rapid rappels (rappel anchors were top notch) as opposed to slow nerve racking down-climbs.

If you get around to going, let me know and I can give you the scoop on what to take (or better yet, what not to )

I agree about the boulder wall at RMGC. It is poorly set with far to few holds to work with. As with the wall routes, I suspect they are set and maintained by the teenage staff. The boulder wall at PRG is so freaking difficult that most of us mere mortals can't even do much on it.

[ck_1]

I agree about PRG...I'm glad it's not just me that spends more time looking at the wall than bouldering...

You are on the short list when we do get a chance at doing Weavers...first hand is the best knowledge...

Would you say there is room to spend the night up top?

[olesma]

Hey, purchased a 10 visit pass to Red Mountain tonight...little disappointed at the size of the bouldering area, as that is my prefered workout, but the convience to home should be a plus...

You talking about the Red Mountain community/fitness center?

[Fritzski]

ck, there are two small flat camping spots near the west edge that have rock walls built around them for some security and also a nice campfire ring.

[ck_1]

You talking about the Red Mountain community/fitness center?

Sure am! First time I've visited it, though I've lived in the area for 3 years...

ck, there are two small flat camping spots near the west edge that have rock walls built around them for some security and also a nice campfire ring.

Excellent, that works out perfectly...I think it'd be a nice place to watch the sun set and rise...