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Winter spires

Original Post
Jacob Schmidt · · Eugene, OR · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 110

I will be in AZ for all of January and want to propose to my girlfriend. Being a climber, I can't conceive of asking her any other way Tha. On top of some pointy thing.
Any recommendations for the perfect desert summit to pop the question on?

I've been stoked on Mt Hayden for a while. Is it doable in winter? My other thoughts have all been in the superstitions. She can follow up to mid 10s. All help is appreciated.

DesertRat · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 196

Hayden's not really possible, unless you are ready to ski into Point Imperial. I'd recommend something in Sedona, maybe the Mace or Oak Creek Spire. There is a pretty good leap you need to take in order to summit OCS though, so the Mace might be better for an assured summit. It goes at 5.9+.

Jacob Dolence · · Farmville, VA · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 806


On top of Queen Victoria Spire. This would be a good one... super easy climbing and lots of fun with a good small summit.
Jacob Schmidt · · Eugene, OR · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 110

The mace was also on my mind. Hadn't looked at queen Victoria, but that's going on the list for sure. JacobD, are you another one of us Northern AZ/Spokane WA people? There seems to be some connection between Flagstaff and Spokane.

DesertRat · · Flagstaff, AZ · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 196

Queen Vic would be a good one. Easy summit, with incredible views in all directions.

Dow Williams · · St. George, Utah; Canmore, AB · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 240

Jacob, the Mace makes sense but can also be crowded partculary if you are trying to do this on a weekend. Some interesting, much more private options, with as good of views...Mace or any of them will leave good memories for sure. Re: Arizona, Sedona's lighting, views and weather in general would be hard to beat for this sort of thing. These are all towers with small summits in Sedona.

Three Sisters, Tip Toe through the Two Lips, 5.10, 3 Pitches
Sense of remoteness with seldom visited ruins behind it...more of an adventure

Tisha Spire, 5.7, 2 Pitches More athletic hike, high elevation view point from tower summit

Earth Angel or Touched by an Angel, 5.10's
These climbs offer bigger sense of accomplishment, privacy and wilderness views vs the city

Supercrack Tower, 5.10, 3 Pitches
Prob my choice...Window route offers one of my favorite pitches in all of Sedona...more remote feeling (have seen a black bear back here), private, cool summit, great views

Firecat Spire, 5.9, 4 Pitches
Very cool summit, quite remote by Sedona standards

Oak Creek (Rabbit Ears), 5.9, 4 Pitches
Much cooler jump than the Mace, a pitch you will both remember...very nice independent (away from the walls) summit...shorter approach then most of the others I mentioned

Those are my best picks for that sort of venture...good luck with it man.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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