Swim Fin  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  4,906. Good page?    Administrators:  Kristine Hoffman, Greg Opland, James DeRoussel, JJ Schlick, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  James DeRoussel on Sep 6, 2002 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue 99° | 64° 99° | 64° 99° | 63° 93° | 64° 88° | 63°

Good view of the line.

Description 

Swim Fin is a popular rock due to its accessibility and the high concentration of moderate climbs in this immediate area. Shade can usually be found on one side of the rock, depending on time of day and season. Certainly a full day can be had in this area, though some of it may be spent waiting in line.

The most recommendable route on Swim Fin is Ego Donor(5.9), a clip-up on the back side, facing Blazing Fin. It is sustained and fun...an honest-to-goodness 5.9!

Getting There 

Driving up the Catalina Highway, park at Windy Point (mp 14.3). From the uphill end of the parking lot, opposite the overlook, cross the highway to the guardrail. An obvious trail leads off from the upper end of the guard rail.

Hike this trail out the ridge away from the highway. As you near the end of the ridge (couple hundred yards), find a trail that drops sharply down the right side along a small cliff. It may take some looking to find the right spot, but once you do, it will be obvious. It is well travelled.

Continuing down this trail, you will approach Nancy's Thumb, a large pinnacle with an obvious crack on the north side. Follow a trail off to the right from Nancy's Thumb. It will lead through some dense brush and out onto a large, open slab. Swim Fin is the rock to your left. There are climbs on both the front and back sides. Allow seven minutes for the approach.

The Classics

Featured Route For Swim Fin

Blazing Apostles 5.7+  AZ : Mount Lemmon (Santa Catalin... : ... : Swim Fin

P1: Climb the dihedral and cracks up to a low angle ramp, belay at the base of the ramp(how it is done most often, possibly) or about midway up the ramp(I recommend, risk drag though), or go all the way to the slab up top with a small crack for nuts(no drag here, but might have issues wth the p1 follow belay). About 5.8 I would say, but very short crux. This is a fun pitch, and you can walk off it "crag left" back to the base of Swim Fin.P2: Lots of variations. Go straight up above the small ver...[more]   Browse More Classics in AZ