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Baboquivari

Original Post
Patrick Pfeifer · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 0

Anybody been up Baboquivari this season? I was wondering if it will be free of snow/ice... Also, anyone know the deal with permits? I've heard some say they are necessary (if so, where do you need to pick them up?), and others say they aren't...

Thanks,
Patrick

Charles Vernon · · Colorado megalopolis · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,655

I climbed Babo via the SW face a little over a week ago. There is no snow at all on that side of the mountain (including the SE arete) or on the western approach, but there was a lot of snow and ice on the Forbes route descent. In particular, the ladder pitch and the fourth class section were covered with ice. I imagine most of that has melted off by now with the warmer weather. We ended up doing two rappels from trees that are skier's right of this section, which worked out fine. Another party descended the icy sections with a belay (?), which took a long time, but they made it.

Edit: no permit is necessary for the east approach, but for the west approach the Baboquivari district office would like climbers and hikers to fill out a form with basic information so they know who's back there. There's no fee. Give them a call 383-2366 and they can email or fax it to you.

John Farrell · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 85
Patrick Pfeifer wrote:Anybody been up Baboquivari this season? I was wondering if it will be free of snow/ice... Also, anyone know the deal with permits? I've heard some say they are necessary (if so, where do you need to pick them up?), and others say they aren't... Thanks, Patrick
I did Babo on Saturday, April 3rd. We went up the South East Arete, which was great. Like Patrick said, there was A LOT of snow on the decent of the Forbes route. The Ladder Pitch was iced up and running water, which turned my rope into a muddy mess. We didn't need any other raps other than the three to get back to the saddle.

I have always gone in on the East side, no permit is necessary.

  • *EDIT**

I have GPS locations for parking in the East Approach, the Saddle, and the start of the South East Arete if you want them. I have a very messy track that I am cleaning up for the decent down the Forbes route. It will get you into the main gully, which is key, after that, it goes really wacky since Babo is blocking the south sky. If you want them, just let me know.
Bob · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2003 · Points: 35

Here is a letter from Jolene Lewis, the Baboquivari District secretary, regarding permits on the west side of Baboquivari:

climbaz.com/climbs/baboquiv…

[Interpretation: the Tohono O'odham no longer charge for access on the west side of Baboquivari but they do appreciate you filling out the form and sending it to them in advance].

Here is a pdf of "the, from":

climbaz.com/climbs/baboquiv…

Pete Hickman · · Washington, DC · Joined Sep 2007 · Points: 485

That is the most awesome form I have ever seen. Seriously. Mostly the waiver section.

John Farrell · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 85
Pete Hickman wrote:That is the most awesome form I have ever seen. Seriously. Mostly the waiver section.
They obviously didn't have a lawyer write it. I wonder why they single out Lions... :-)
ClimbPHX.com · · Mesa AZ · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 1,135

i think it is because the Liger hasnt been seen in the area in a while.

Jon B · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 105
John Farrell wrote: They obviously didn't have a lawyer write it. I wonder why they single out Lions... :-)
Because there are tons of them. When I was there in 96, we camped on the west saddle, and had a mountain lion roam thru our camp. We were not surprised, after pulling into the parking area on the west, and seeing nothing but, "Beware of Mountain Lions".
Patrick Pfeifer · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 0

Thanks for the weather update, as well as the permit information. Awesome form!
I think we're going to hold off a couple weeks to let the ice melt.

John, that GPS track might be useful when we do head out there.

Again, thanks for the help!

John Farrell · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 85
Shiloh wrote:i think it is because the Liger hasnt been seen in the area in a while.
That's pretty much my favorite animal in the world.

From personal experience, the Lion's Ledge should be renamed to the Skunk's Ledge then.

Patrick, send PM your email to me, and I'll get you that Babo Waypoints and Track.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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