Date
Saturday, 24 Feb 2018 8:00 AM
• What we’ll do
Scrambling Tour of McDowell Sonoran Preserve Rock Climbing
Saturday, February 24, 8:00 a.m.
For the past decade I’ve been the Climber Liaison to City of Scottsdale Staff on the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and have been involved in the identification of what crags we can climb on and what the proper Climber Access Routes are. I’m going to take a hiking tour introduction to the super rock climbing available in the Preserve. We’ll start with a scrambling tour of Fort McDowell, Half and Half, Lost in the Air, Lost Wall, The Rist, and Tom’s Thumb. Returning to the Tom’s Thumb trail, we will continue to the trail head/point of origin. In the process I will show you the couple dozen of routes and top rope set up locations. Many of these crags are described in our new guidebook, McDowell Rock: A Climbers Guide. This information is not particularly available anywhere else.
Directions to Tom’s Thumb Trail Head:
From anywhere in the Valley, drive to Scottsdale and the 101/Pima intersection. Head north on Pima to Happy Valley Road. Drive east on Happy Valley through Troon. As Happy Valley turns north and becomes 118th Street, look for Ranch Gate Road and continue east/right. Turn south/right on 128th Street to Trail Head. We’ll meet a Trail head building
. Please be there promptly because I will be leaving the Trail Head on time.
I anticipate that it may take a group 3 to 4 hours for the full loop. Please be realistic about your fitness. Hiking Camelback should be pretty easy for you. These are not “belay off the car bumper” types of crags. Bring at least 2 liters of hydration, snacks/lunch and appropriate layers of clothing for the weather predicted at the time. The “trail” is not a trail in the traditional sense but primitive so secure hiking footwear is required. Many people will prefer boots.
You’ll come away with information that should allow you to access these great climbing areas and if you have the skills to top rope set up your own climbs in the future. Of course, lead climbers will have a whole new set of super climbs to tick off in your hands.
Climbing is a personal choice and requires personal responsibility. Climbing and associated activities are dangerous and can result in injury and/or death. Climbing exposes you to risks. Risks are not eliminated by training, or skill. By your participation in any AMC activity or event, you accept and assume any and all risks, including those created by negligence, connected to such activity or event.
No first aid care is being provided, so you are responsible for all first aid situations.
I sincerely hope lots of folks can make it. Contact me directly via the PM system if you have any questions.
Erik
• What to bring
See above
• Important to know
See above
