Lazy Weekend in Arizona

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Go back to Cochise Stronghold.
Go back to Sedona.

Summary

Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Original Route of Streaker Spire.

So we had bigger plans but somehow the tough week before (lotta running miles for Shirley & some biking miles for yours truly), the delayed flight (got to Benson after 2am on Saturday), and general laziness contributed to much sleeping and eating with only a touch of climbing. Still, it was a fun outing. On Saturday, we found ourselves hiking up to Stronghold Dome where Shirley cruised the (hard for me…I fell on TR) thin first pitch of Beeline (5.9). Later that afternoon we drove over to Cottonwood , AZ and climbed the Streaker Spire above Sedona the following day. That Original Route line sure was a kick in the nuts! I will not comment on the rating (5.7+), but will only say that The Original Route on The Mace and Dr. Rubo’s Wild Ride make great warm ups for this one… The chunky rock reminded us why we don’t climb in Sedona more. Still – will probably go back for couple more towers in the future.

Photo Essay

Beeline (5.9)
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley approaching the Stronghold Dome formation. Beeline (5.9) climbs a thin crack to below the large roof and passes it on the right (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley starting up the first pitch of Beeline on Stronghold Dome (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley scoping out the crux of Beeline before sending it nicely (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley approaching the crux of Beeline high on pitch 1 (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley cruising the crux of Beeline on pitch 1 - a spectacular if difficult (esp. for those with stubby fat fingers) pitch (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley leading pitch 1 of Beeline. This is above the crux and at the hollow-flake lieback section (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Yours truly topping out on pitch 1 of Beeline & summarizing how the thin fingers crux went for me (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Happy Shirley at the pitch 1 belay on Beeline after cruising the tough 5.9 pitch (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Time-stamped bolt atop pitch 1 of Beeline (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley at the top of pitch 1 of Beeline with the Rockfellows Group in the background (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Looking back towards Shirley from the lead of pitch 2 of Beeline (5.9) route (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Daddy starting up pitch 2 of Beeline on Stronghold Dome...well protected where it matters most (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
Shirley topping out on pitch 2 of Beeline on Stronghold Dome (Feb. 2011).
Beeline (Stronghold Dome)
The Rockfellows Group as seen from the top of the Beeline route on Stronghold Dome (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (5.7+)
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Christianity (left) and Streaker Spires of Sedona. The Original Route on Streaker is mostly visible in this shot (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Streaker Spire from the approach. The Original Route comes in along the obvious light colored limestone band from the left. It then follows the low angle (more or less) sunshine-shade highlighted dihedral (=pitch 3; Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Leading the fun traverse that is pitch 1 of Streaker Spire's Original Route (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Shirley following pitch 1 of Streaker Spire's Original Route (5.7+; Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Daddy at the belay at the end of pitch 1 of the Original Route (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Shirley following pitch 1 of the Original Route of Streaker Spire...creaky limestone foot ledge ensues (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Gear swap at the super comfy belay ledge at the end of pitch 1 of Streaker Spire's Original Route...my only concern was the whole ledge falling off the face with us on it (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Shirley belaying me from the comfy ledge at the end of pitch 1 of the Original Route on Streaker Spire (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Shirley nearing the top of pitch 3 of the Original Route (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Leading pitch 4 of the Original Route of Streaker Spire (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Pulling the awkward bulge on pitch 4 of the Original Route of Streaker Spire (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Shirley pulling the awkward flare on pitch 4 of the Original Route on Streaker Spire. This is reportedly the crux though we both found the start of pitch 3 waaay harder (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Shirley nearing the top of the fourth and final pitch of the Original Route on Streaker Spire...5.7+ (Feb. 2011).
Original Route (Streaker Spire)
Shirley at the rap station just below the summit of Streaker Spire (Feb. 2011).

Go back to Cochise Stronghold.
Go back to Sedona.