Class III Hike/Climb in Phoenix area

[Misubri]

In July I am planning to summit Mnt. Whitney up the Mountaineer's Route. Part of this hike/climb invovles a Class 3 climb. It is not technical but some people have taken ropes. I was wondering if there are any Class 3 hikes in the Phoenix area that I can practice on. I have done the scree shoot up to Brown's Peak, but I don't know what that would be rated.

[Jeffshadows]

The question you ask is at the heart of why all ratings systems are slightly flawed...Regardless of which route you're talking about, the answer is always: "It depends on the person..."

[Hoffmaster]

Can Weaver's really be summited safely without gear? Isn't that last pitch more than 20 feet tall? Can you actually downclimb that pitch easily?

The answers to your questions are "sort of", "yes" and "no."

I would hesitate to say that climbing Weaver's Needle from either side without roping up is safe. But it is "safer" from the east side. I personally would never try it unroped from the west side.
The last pitch is probably about 30 feet or so. I've never roped up for it, and I've climbed it a handful of times. I'm not saying it's the right thing or the smart thing to do; I just know my abilities and to me it was no big deal. (Once, I climbed Baboquivari completely unroped. My partner and I passed several roped parties on the way up. Their looks of complete horror as we passed them were priceless. In retrospect, it was completely idiotic and I would never attempt that again.)
However, as far as your last question is concerned, it would be suicidal to try to down climb Weaver's Needle. It would also take forever. Even if you can climb it without roping up, you should bring a rope and harness and rappel down that bad boy. The rappel off the top is in a different spot than the climb. But it has bomber anchors.
I hope you're asking because you're considering climbing it. It is a one-of-a-kind experience.

[BobP]

In response to Jeff MacE:
I couldn't agree more. I've climbed some class 2 and 3 in CO that was real "easy" and others rated the same that were tougher. Brown's peak thru the chute to me was easy, but I also tried climbing to the left of the chute one time and cliffed out. That part of Brown's peak to me was brutal and almost all "climbing".

[rushthezeppelin]

I've been wanting to climb Weaver's for ages now. I almost had a chance this weekend when I car camped at the crosscut TH next to some guys who were gonna climb the hand the next day and then weaver's the day after. They had and extra harness and everything and offered for me to come along but alas I tore my rotator cuff a week and a half ago and even though it was feeling good I didn't want to risk reinjuring it at 100+ feet above the ground. I was so bummed by this but I got the guys number so perhaps I can get out there with him sometime soon. One quick question too....do you think there's any suitable spots to hang a hammock up top?

[joebartels]

My god that squirrel has got to be stopped. You're contemplating hanging a hammock on TOP of Weaver's Needle...
Perhaps on the ledges of the wind break

[Hoffmaster]

One quick question too....do you think there's any suitable spots to hang a hammock up top?

While I think is one of the most ridiculous questions ever posed to me, I'll entertain it. Yes, if you are creative with your use of rocks, you can probably hang a hammock, although you'll literally be an inch off the ground. There is a campsite big enough for a two person tent that has rock walls built up around it on top.
Last summer, Pickletree, Fairweather and I were camping in Valley of the Gods, UT, with no trees or fences for miles. Pickletree used two large rocks (about the size of 4 bowling balls combined together) to "hang" his hammock. I weigh about 50lbs more than him, and we got that thing so tight that I was able to lie in it and still not touch the ground. So, yeah, you can probably hang up there if you are creative.

[rushthezeppelin]

Mehhh I usually hang only about 4 or so inches off the ground anywho : P I'll have to plan this eventually and will try do it on a night that's going to be totally clear so if I can't setup my hammock I can at least just throw my bag and pad on the ground.

[Jim]

Hey Misubri,
Did you get a permit for the MR? If you are going, do you have a GPS that you will bring and use on the climb? It would be nice to get an official mileage estimate from the Portal to the summit.

[Misubri]

Yes, I did get a permit; it was pretty easy just calling it in. For the MR you don't need to get on a lottery/waiting list. I will bring my GPS and try to make multiple waypoints. I am not going till July 30th, but I will remember to do it. I just need to figure out how to mark new waypoints, while at the same time following the few (15) waypoints that are in the book Mount Whitney. I will also take photos going up the Mountaineer's Route and post those as well. I will have to figure out how to post the waypoints.

[Jim]

Well, post it all in the write-up. If the GPS route looks good and the mileage is pretty different from what I estimated we can have Joe change it.

[Jim]

I see your trip is only 18 days away. You must be getting excited.

[Misubri]

Yes, very excited. In fact, although this won't require crampons and ice axe, I would like to up my level of hiking to start doing that. I have a pair of crampons and have used them for light snow hiking in Flagstaff, but I would like to continue and improve those skills. I would like to learn how to properly use an ice axe and running belays, but I can't find a class to teach that. There are local (Phx Valley) one-day classes, but those are more for rock climbing. I am looking for alpine/snow/ice climbing. If anyone knows where I can get some experience with that, without having to go to Ouray or other places in Colorado please tell me.

[Jim]

I don't think we have that stuff here in Arizona. Just not enough snow. I know Sierra Mountaineering out of Bishop, CA has that stuff, but thats my only alternative to CO.