Are there bees at Sven Slab too?

The bee warnings about Weaver's Needle and Camelback have me wondering. There used to be bees at Sven Slab, especially if you're trying to head left from the Quaker Oats area over to One for the Road. Has anyone been over there? I'm rethinking my climbing plans for the Phoenix area in mid-April! Not allergic to bees yet, but I was stung at Sven Slab several years ago. Getting nervous.

A lot of bee posts lately.

youtube.com/watch?v=mUR14_r…

I took my friend and his kid over there last Sunday (3/22). There were bees everywhere but they seems docile enough. Later we saw/heard a swarm on the move over our heads just like people have talked about in the other thread- scary as hell! It's probably only getting worse as it gets hotter. I'd say the bees have the upper hand now. It was hot as hell there anyway...

I had 250+ stings yesterday from the attack on Camelbak. If you see bees get the hell out asap. the climb isnt worth that experience

Sven proper (Quaker Oats, Ego Trip, etc.) should be fine. There are two hives that I am aware of in that area and they are located further to the east. One is somewhere near Mousetracks and the other is in the gully to the right of One For The Road.

The only time I have ever been uneasy about bees at Sven proper is when the trees around the belay ledge have been blooming. Luckily, they seem to care much more about flowers than climbers at that point.

I personally avoid One For The Road these days. The hive there is quite active and if you stop at the belay ledge, you're only about 10 ft from the belly of the beast.

I have been buzzed by two "hives on the move" in the last week and nothing has come of it other than a shot of adrenaline and a general feeling of uneasiness.

Personally, I wouldn't let the bee reports steer you away from a visit. There are plenty of bee free or bee-lite areas. Camelback is notorious for bees and the hives around the Mcdowells are well documented and most locals can tell you where they are.

AJ which route were yu climbing when bees attacked you at Camelback?

I was on the Hart Route when the bees stung. My rope is still on the second pitch - we were using it to rap down but it got stuck. Ranger said his friend was trying to grab it but the bees are still active around that pitch so he didn't try.

After looking at the route on MP there were tons of warnings. Wish I would have looked a bit closer before climbing it.

Very happy you weren't injured in the whole deal. Nice work keeping your head and getting out of there under duress. Seems like either it's a high-bee year, or just happens that climbers are going where they happen to be (other than the Hart Route because they've been camped out there for years). Sounds like lots of swarming going on regardless. Bad for climbers, good for bees.

FWIW, and for no particular reason, it was a pair of Michigan climbers that were involved in the fall (and fatality of one of them) from the Hart Route back in 2004 or so.

From article:
"In 2004, bees were responsible for the death of a 24-year-old Michigan man, Keith Abbe. He'd been climbing the lengthy Hart Route with a friend when bees -- apparently from a hive on the top of the climb's second pitch -- attacked both men. Abbe, who'd never climbed outdoors before, untied the safety line from his harness and attempted to escape the bees by down-climbing the vertical route. He slipped and fell about 50 feet to his death."

Everton or telling me about the guys that ha v died from the bees. Its hard to believe that no one has taken that nest out Or that the park hasn't closed that area. Im from Michigan too...maybe its something in our blood that posses them off! Im just glad to be alive!

Great you survived. If a route is near bees, climb elsewhere. We climb very close to hives in winter, just don't put out a bowl of water or crush a bee. Or you will have to drop everything and literally run at least 1/4 mile while being stung.

If you are on the Hart Route, you should carry a bee bonnet or net and gloves. Otherwise you may not survive, unless you're from Michigan, apparently.