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Summary
Absinthe Of Mallet.
For a four-day New Years Weekend in 2007/2008, Shirley, Blondie & I drove south to Cochise Stronghold. Post work push and most of the following day were required to complete the 25 hour trip. We climbed the classic 7-pitch line called Absinthe Of Mallet (5.9+) on The Sheepshead. Great climbing – a mix of different types with much slab terrain (crux sections were generally either slab or crimpy face IMHO) & a touch of cracks. Shirley & I swapped leads with Shirley leading the odds. Warm and sunny day with at least 3 other parties on the dome that day. We’ve never seen Cochise Stronghold this crowded! After our climb, we decided to start heading back up north again, hoping to get something small in Arches the following day. The scenic drive took us through the heart of Navajo Lands and included a tourist stop at Canyon De Chelly where we drooled profusely at the sight of Spider Rock (off limits to climbing). The following day, we started up the first pitch of something in Arches but were freezing in temps that hovered below zero. Bailed and drove home. Not a bad 4-day road trip.
Pictorial Tour
Shirley leading pitch 1 of Absinthe Of Mallet on Sheepshead (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley leading pitch 1 of Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 2007).
Yours truly following the first pitch of Absinthe Of Mallet on Sheepshead (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley at the belay stance atop pitch 1 of Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 30, 2007).
Following pitch 1 of Absinthe Of Mallet - this is the final, easy traverse right to the anchor (Dec. 30, 2007).
Leading pitch 2 of Absinthe Of Mallet. With a mix of crack, crimpy faces and slab, this was our favorite pitch of the route (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley following pitch 2 of Absinthe Of Mallet belayed by yours truly (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley leading the short pitch 3 of Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 30, 2007).
Starting up pitch 4 dihedral on Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 30, 2007).
Leading pitch 4 of Absinthe Of Mallet. This is the short slab move of the pitch (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley topping out on pitch 4 of Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 2007).
Shirley starting up pitch 5 of Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 2007).
Leading pitch 6 of Absinthe Of Mallet. This is actually the new variation pitch 6 - bolted face/slab pitch. Quite fun climbing (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley topping out on pitch 6 of Absinthe Of Mallet. This is the variation finish (last 2 pitches; Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley leading the last pitch on the last climb of our 2007 - warm sunshine and great green granite slabs. Pitch 7 of (variation finish) Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley nearing the top of pitch 7 of Absinthe Of Mallet - a GREAT fun (& well protected) friction slab (Dec. 30, 2007).
Shirley on the summit of The Sheepshead after our climb of Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 2007).
Blondie enjoying a warm Arizona sunset after our climb of the Absinthe Of Mallet (Dec. 2007).
Shirley hiking down from Sheepshead (in background) after our climb of Absinthe Of Mallet. A climber (red circle) is visible high on the formation on what is likely Ides Of Middlemarch route (III 5.9+; Dec. 2007).
The tourist view of Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly during our road trip home (Jan. 1, 2008).
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