Heart of Stone - Cochise Stronghold

Flyer and ticket information:

climbaz.com/Miscellaneous/g…

From Steve Grossman...

Oral history is the name of the game and we will collectively be trying to recall the adventures that make the Stronghold home to the proudest free climbs in southern Arizona.

The Saturday program will begin with a discussion of the first ascent of Don's Crack on Baboquivari by Joanna Coleman and Dan Jones during October 15-17, 1967. This was the first grand adventure climb taken on by the first generation of Tucson locals and Joanna and hopefully Don Morris (for whom the route is named) will reminisce about the experience along with Dave Baker and Merlin Wheeler who did the second ascent free in 1977 along with Mike McEwen.

Having set the stage historically discussion will then focus on the climbing history of the east and west Cochise Stronghold examined as per the program.

Many of the folks that made these routes possible will be on hand to share their experiences so it is a unique opportunity to meet them and hear many classic stories!

Saturday Program

Baboquivari Don’s Crack Joanna Coleman and Dan Jones, 1966 SA Dave Baker, Merlin Wheeler,1970 FFA Dave Baker and Mike McEwen 1971

Saddle Pinnacles John Rupley and Fred Beckey 1960s(?)

West Stronghold-The Tombstone Dark Shadows Peter Depagter and Larry Seligman late 1960s(?)

Cochise Dome- What’s My Line Dave Baker, Peter Depagter and Larry Seligman, 1971 Direct Start Mike McEwen and Dave Baker 1970s(?)

End Pinnacle-Cap’m Pissgums Dave Baker and Mark Axen 1972(?). FFA Steve Grossman and Fig Fiola 1975.

Stronghold Dome-Beeline Merlin Wheeler, Mark Axen and Gary Axen, 1972 Buck Traverse Steve Grossman and Tony Herr, 1983

End Pinnacle- Days of Future Passed Dave Baker, Steve Grossman and Richard Thompson 1973

West Stronghold-Warpath Dome-Warpath Smitty Husted, Karl Rickson and Pat McNerthy,1975

Bastion Towers-Forest Lawn Mike McEwen, Gary Axen1975 Complete route Mike McEwen and Dave Baker,1976 Pair a Grins finish Eric Fazio-Rhicard and Michael Jimmerson, 1985

Be All End All Dave Baker and Fig Fiola 1980(?) FFA Ray Ringle, Herb North and Tony Herr, 1983

Chay Desa Tsay-As the Wind Cries Steve Grossman, John Steiger and Paul Davidson, 1978(?)

Sunday Program

Rockfellow Dome-Knead Me Dave Baker and Mike McEwen 1972

Rockfellow Dome-Labyrinth Route Merlin Wheeler, Joanna Coleman Dave Baker and Mike McEwen, 1973

Rockfellow Dome Abracadaver Mike McEwen, Dave Baker and Steve Grossman,1975 FFA Stan Mish, Jeff Bauman and Jon Williams

Rockfellow Dome-The Sound of One Hand Thrashing(CTG) Chip Chase and Ray Ringle,1980

Rockfellow Dome-Sensory Desuetude Chip Chase and Ray Ringle, 1980

End Pinnacle- The Uncarved Block Chip Chase and Ray Ringle 1980(?)

Cochise Dome- Let’s Make a Deal Steve Grossman and Paul Davidson, 1981

End Pinnacle-Poetry in Motion Steve Grossman and Brad Smith, 1982(?)

Rockfellow Dome Lumpy Unmentionables Jim Waugh and Ray Ringle, 1984

End Pinnacle-Great Gig in the Sky Steve Grossman and Jay Ladin,1983(?)

Cochise Dome-Double Jeopardy Steve Grossman and Steve Amter, 1985(?)

Stronghold Dome-Apache Tears Peter Noebels and Steve Grossman, 1986

West Stronghold-Westworld Dome-Warpaint, Eric Fazio-Rhicard and Bob Kerry, 1989

Rockfellow Group-Tour du Jour Dave Baker and Fig Fiola 1986(?)

Prospective Speaker List

Joanna Coleman
Merlin Wheeler
Don Morris
Dave Baker
Mike McEwen
Mark Axen
Gary Axen
Peter Depagter
Larry Seligman
Steve Grossman
Smitty Husted
Eric Fazio-Ruhicard
John Steiger
Paul Davidson
Ray Ringle
Chip Chase
Stan Mish
Jeff Bauman
Jon Williams
Brad Smith
Jay Ladin
Bob Kerry

Holy cow! I've got my tickets and am really looking forward to this. Steve and company did a great presentation on Granite Mountain a couple years ago and I'm sure this will be an unforgetable event for anyone who loves the Stronghold.

Are you kidding me?!? There's no way I'm missing this.

Awesome!!!! I am so psyched!

This promises to be a fantastic gathering so please help us get the word out so that nobody is left out of the fun.

This will be a one time event so don't miss it!

Cheers,
Steve Grossman

Bump for what promises to be an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime event!

I attended the Granita Festival in Prescott a year and a half ago. It was incredibly interesting to meet the folks that put up all those classic routes and to get firsthand stories of the FAs.

Thanks, Steve, for organizing this!

Bump!

Wow, what an opportunity. This is gonna be awesome! I will rally friends for most likely Sunday night.

Bump...2 days away!!!

I looked at the schedule with interest and was surprised to read that the FFA of Don's Crack was in 1977. Below, it said 1971, which is probably true. I climbed it free in Mar '76, and I didn't think I was doing a FFA.

One more day!!!

Thanks Steve and Mimi!

Really great show.

A huge thanks to all the presenters and also to Steve and Mimi for putting together this fantastic event!

I learned a lot and the funny stories were an additional bonus! Looking forward to future events!

What a debt we owe to those who went there first. Thanks to you all.

I agree with all of the above; this was probably my favorite climbing-related event that I've ever attended. Thanks to Steve Grossman and everyone else who worked to make it happen.

Dave Baker is hilarious, and I loved that the event began with Joanna Coleman speaking about Don's Crack.

What a fantastic event this was! Mad props to Steve and Mimi. Thank you for putting this together and bringing so many of those who came before us to share their experiences. Inspiring is an understatement.

I second that Dave is hilarious.

I'll repeat what I wrote in an email to Steve G:

"I had an absolute blast and I felt honored to be part of the gathering.
I can't fully express how engrossing I found the the two nights of stronghold history. I'm really glad I made the trip. Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect. Of course, when you combine one of the coolest places anywhere with even cooler people and their stories, magic happens."

To all, it was a treat to talk to everyone. Thanks to Steve, Mimi, the Summit Hut, and everyone who helped make this fine event happen,

+10^^^^