Magnolia Thunder

Go back to Arizona.
Go back to Cochise.

Turkey Weekend

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Cochise Stronghold.

Uninspired. Think that if we could not find new places to climb a few times per year, we might give up the whole thing out of boredom and focus on our other passions (eg. drinking). Anyway, with the long Thanksgiving weekend on the horizon, we made plans to head south to Arizona. Originally planned on spending the 2 climbing days in Cochise but the slow holiday traffic (fucking horrendous CA zoo between Sacramento and LA) convinced us to cut the drive down short and we ended up climbing a day at Granite Mountain. We climbed the short Magnolia Thunder Pussy (5.9) and, although it was not quite as good as Candyland (2013), it still offered some quality crack climbing (and it’s always a treat to climb a classic route absolutely devoid of any fixed shit). Not to mention a nice mouthful of desert bushwhacking to boot…Benny’s first experience with such fun. The following day at Cochise was equally unambitious with a quick trip up Malex Of Four Thoughts route on Waterfall Dome (5.9 and nice views of the Rockfellows). Should’ve stayed at Granite – at least it’s “more new” to us. I guess we’re getting too old for this 3K miles of driving in 4 days kind of shit – not physically mind you; it’s our motivation for the same old that’s not quite up to snuff.

Photos

Granite Mountain

Benny on approach to Granite Mountain (Nov. 2017).

Granite Mountain

Sights along the approach (Nov. 2017).

Granite Mountain

Granite Mountain – not a large crag but the granite and the cracks are delicious (Nov. 2017).

Granite Mountain

Unknown party on pitch 2 of the classic Magnolia Thunder Pussy route (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Pitch 1 of Magnolia Thunder Pussy (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Looking down from the lead of pitch 1 (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Leading pitch 1 of Magnolia Thunder Pussy (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

And past the fun roof (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Views of central Arizona from Magnolia Thunder Pussy (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Shirley firing the small roof on pitch 1 (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Views from the route (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Shirley topping out on pitch 1 (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Starting pitch 2 of Magnolia Thunder Pussy (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Crux of pitch 2 (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Looking back down pitch 2 of Magnolia Thunder Pussy (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Shirley topping out on pitch 2 (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Shirley arriving at our belay some 20 feet below the summit of Granite Mountain (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Topping out on Magnolia Thunder Pussy (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Shirley on the summit of Granite Mountain (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Shirley starting the descent (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

The MP-recommended gully descent (Nov. 2017).

Magnolia Thunder Pussy

Shirley on the descent (intermittent trail + bushwhack; Nov. 2017).

Granite Mountain

Shirley hiking back to the main trail (Nov. 2017).

Granite Mountain

Benny and Granite Mountain (Nov. 2017).

Granite Mountain

Thanksgiving feast – only (?) open establishment in Prescott (Nov. 2017).

Cochise Stronghold

Cochise Stronghold. Somebody’s getting better at scrambling (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Pitch 1 of Malex Of Four Thoughts route on Waterfall Dome. I think this is a variation recommended by the new guidebook and it’s just left o pitch 1 proper (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Shirley following pitch 1 (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Arriving at the first belay (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Starting up the very nice pitch 2 of Malex Of Four Thoughts: pull the easy green roof above me, move left and then back to the right side of the obvious block above. Good climbing (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Shirley nearing the top of pitch 2 of Malex Of Four Thoughts (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Shirley arriving at the second belay on Malex Of Four Thoughts (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Leading the third and final scramble pitch to the summit of Waterfall Dome (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Looking back at Shirley from the pitch 3 scramble (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Unknown climbers on What’s My Line route (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Unknown climbers enjoying the fun ride that is What’s My Line (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Unknown climbers on the amazing What’s My Line route as seen from Waterfall Dome (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Looking back down the last pitch (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Shirley on the third pitch of Malex Of Four Thoughts (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

The highlight of Cochise Stronghold – the stunning Rockfellow Domes. Bastion Towers are on the left; followed by Rockfellow Dome (tallest and home to the super classic Abracadaver route) and with End Pinnacle on the right (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Two unknown climbers on the summit of End Pinnacle (looking for the start of the descent route; Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Shirley and The Rockfellow Group (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Shirley arriving at the summit of Waterfall Dome. Rockfellows are on the left and What’s My Line Dome is right above Shirley (Nov. 2017).

Malex Of Four Thoughts

Shirley rapping off Waterfall Dome (Sept. 2017).

Cochise Stronghold

Benny and Shirley almost back at the car (Nov. 2017).

Cochise Stronghold

Packing up back at the car (Nov. 2017).

Nevada

A little soak in Lake Mead on the drive home (Nov. 2017).

Nevada

Water fiend (Nov. 2017).

Nevada

Dinner break somewhere in the middle of nowhere, Nevada (Nov. 2017).

Granite Mountain

The last 6 hour stretch to get home. Far south eastern Oregon…bit mind boggling that you can be back in your state and still be facing 400+ miles of driving (Nov. 2017).

Go back to Arizona.
Go back to Cochise.