Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead • Climb Trip • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Feb 07 2011

Hikergirl81

Photos 1,529
Triplogs 112

female

Joined Mar 03 2009
Flagstaff, AZ

Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead

Tucson, AZ

Climbing		Feb 07 2011
		Hikergirl81 • Triplogs 112

Climbing

Climbing	2 Hrs 15 Mns	0.00 mph

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners


••••	Peacemaker	Second	5.10a	Sport	G	7 Pitches

It was a last minute invite that brought me back to Cochise for an adventure day. An amazing climber that I had partnered with at the Homestead asked me to join him for a multi-pitch Monday. Sunday evening we met in Eloy at the skydive camp and rode down together. We enjoyed a campfire, beverages and a lot of interesting conversation. Against my better judgment, I was asleep in my tent after 2 am. The sun came up early and I woke up to a cup of hot coffee being handed into me, Mmmhhh! It was a surprisingly non-hurried morning, and apparently he's a believer in big breakfasts. My stomach was cursing me as we started up the steep part of the Sheepshead approach but it all turned out okay.
MP says the standard time for this climb is 4 to 6 hours so I was a little worried when we were beginning our climb at 12:15. I had chose this route because I was familiar with it, I was certain it was mostly bolted, needing only a few gear placements for the ascent. He talked me into carrying a pack with a sort of 'picnic' for the top, including; salami, cheese and wine. I had a bit of trouble with the extra weight on the Cochise 5.10a slab but since I was following this time, it wasn't an issue. He led with great confidence and speed, so I tried to follow the same, we efficiently made all of gear swaps and made it to the top in just over 2 hours.
The view was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our picnic at the top. We continued to make excellent time with the walked off, back to our packs, then back to his van. We had the rest of the afternoon to relax with some 'hammock and beer time'
I was surprised I was able to pull it off...

With my intrinsic grace and balance, on a hammock; it must have been the beer that made the difference.

_____________________

I don't have a computer… Not because I'm against having one. Really just hasn't been a top priority on my gear list.
I am now attempting to navigate, post, reply (etc..) this site with only an iPhone… Wish me luck!

Dec 31 2010

Hikergirl81

Photos 1,529
Triplogs 112

female

Joined Mar 03 2009
Flagstaff, AZ

Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead

Tucson, AZ

Climbing		Dec 31 2010
		Hikergirl81 • Triplogs 112

Climbing

Climbing

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Great New Years! We were attempting to avoid the cold Red Rocks weather but we as we arrived we found falling snow. BURR, it was camping in 16 degree weather, I was not prepared for this. We made the best of it and had a good trip!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cow

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot Summit Register Log

_____________________

I don't have a computer… Not because I'm against having one. Really just hasn't been a top priority on my gear list.
I am now attempting to navigate, post, reply (etc..) this site with only an iPhone… Wish me luck!

Dec 19 2010

Hikergirl81

Photos 1,529
Triplogs 112

female

Joined Mar 03 2009
Flagstaff, AZ

Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead

Tucson, AZ

Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead

Tucson, AZ

Climbing		Dec 19 2010
		Hikergirl81 • Triplogs 112

Climbing

Climbing

no routes

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners


••••	Peacemaker	Lead	5.10a	Sport	G	7 Pitches

Peacemaker! 5.10a slab- My 1st multi-pitch lead!!
I was hoping to go back to Red Rocks but we were rained out again. Cochise is an excellent winter crag especially if you like slab climbing or multi-pitch. I wasn't planning to lead Peacemaker but I was interested in learning to place cams, nuts and other trad gear.
This was actually quite a surprise to me since I have been struggling to climb on lead because of the fear of falling. I don't know why, but it can be such a paralyzing head game to get over once it takes hold. I have been a strong leader in the past but it just has been hard to shake this fear. My fear had been on single pitch climbs so the idea for me to lead a mixed multi-pitch climb was a bit crazy.
I am proud of myself. I was able to do it but it was quite slow going at first. I hung out in an unprotected chimney for about 10 minutes before getting up the courage to make the risky move to the bolts

I got fastest as I got more confidence. We probably should have taken up the offer to use another party's rappel line to get down but we really wanted to finish. The temps dropped, wind picked up and the sun went down. I tried to lead the 2nd to last pitch via headlamp but ended up paralyzed with fear. Brad bravely finished the last pitches and we finally reached the top! I was so grateful for him to take over!

YAY! (and Burrr)
We completed the walk off and gathered our things, then started the hike back to the parking area. Our friend JB was there along with a few others that were watching our headlamps from o miles away! They said they all cheered when we reached the top... I believe partly because it meant they didn't have to come help us.
Another memorable adventure and a huge first for me!!

this was the topo I wished I'd seen ahead a time.
http://www.geir.com/sheepshead%20sw.pdf (it's the green route)

_____________________

I don't have a computer… Not because I'm against having one. Really just hasn't been a top priority on my gear list.
I am now attempting to navigate, post, reply (etc..) this site with only an iPhone… Wish me luck!

Apr 17 2010

rwstorm

Guides 1
Routes 138
Photos 22,415
Triplogs 1,041

77 male

Joined Feb 28 2003
Tucson, AZ

West Dragoon Weekend, AZ

Hiking		Apr 17 2010
		rwstorm • Triplogs 1,041

Hiking	14.00 Miles	3,000 AEG

Hiking	14.00 Miles
	3,000 ft AEG

no routes

Linked

linked

Dragoon Mountains Camping

China Peak

Slavin Gulch Trail #332

Cochise Stronghold / Sheepshead

Partners

partners

TUB - Group

	cindyl	GrottoGirl
	John_seJerman	RedwallNHops

A weekend of camping and hiking with the Tucson Backpackers meet up group. Went down and secured the best site Friday, then did hikes Saturday and Sunday. I had previously hiked to both the mine in Slavin Gulch and China Peak separately, but wanted to combine the two into one large loop hike from the camp area. Based on excellent hike descriptions by Preston Sands and checking maps, I figured it would entail about 12 miles and around 2600 feet of elevation change. A bunch of us did this one Saturday.

We all made it to the Abril Mine in Slavin Gulch just fine, but after a break there it was a nasty scramble up the mine tailings to reach FR 345A above. A few of us got dinged up in the process, but fortunately no major injuries! We then continued to follow the road southeast for a couple miles until we came to Pear Tank. At this point we bushwhacked our way up to China Peak for lunch. It turned out to be a pretty warm day with lots of exposure, so we were really glad to have the uphill part of this adventure over with! The remainder of the hike was along roads. From China Peak it was a steep descent to Gordon Camp, then the gradient eased as we continued to follow FR 697 to its junction with Middlemarch Road. We weary hikers finished by taking Middlemarch Road and FR 687 back to camp.

If I were to do this loop hike again, I would make it a shuttle, with a vehicle waiting where FR 697 hits the main road. This would save 3 to 4 miles of hiking a boring road section.

Following a good campfire session Saturday night, we broke camp Sunday morning and some of us hiked up to the top of Sheepshead on the way out. I skipped going all the way to the top, since I'd done it 3 times in the past year. It is a real cool short hike/scramble though (less than 3 miles RT/about 800 feet). Sheepshead is popular with rock climbers, but we took the hiker's route up.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Banana Yucca Claret Cup Cactus Rattlesnake Weed Silver Morning Glory Silverleaf Nightshade Unidentified Flora Yellow Linanthus

Wildflowers Observation Light

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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