Beating the heat in So AZ?

Hey MP,

A buddy and I are hoping to get on a long multipitch this Sunday. I was originally planning on the Sheepshead, but it is starting to look real toasty for this weekend. What are some cooler alternatives? Thinking about Babo, I've never been. If we start hiking at 6 or 7, we should be up in the higher elevations for the hottest part of the day right? Any other good long routes around Tucson for when its 100?

top of lemmon
mountainproject.com/v/new-g…

Ah yes, I am quite aware of the Lemmon. Great climbing up there, but not many long routes (that aren't closed for the falcons) that I'm aware of. I got that multipitch itch for this weekend, you know what I mean? Are there any long routes you'd recommend that are high on the mountain?

Maybe the Reef is the place to go, but there seems to be little there that is not 5.10 R or harder. Looking for routes that are up to 5.9 trad or 5.10 sport.

I thought this was pretty good.

Would leave yourself extra time to get oriented, find the first pitch, etc if you've never been to the Reef.

mountainproject.com/v/block…

Thanks Christian, that route looks like a good option.

I'm still curious about Babo - anybody have experience going out there when it's upper 90s in Tucson? Just not sure whether to expect bearable warmth or soul-sucking heat.

I did Babo from Flagstaff: 6 hours of driving, 5 miles of hiking (up), Stellar ('5.6')climbing pitches. Long decent, it was night time by now. We camped. Fun times. - oh, it was April and snowy on top.
Steve

It gets light early if you hike in at dawn, its 45 mins car to base of TTTD
it won't be bad the left side of sheepshead
Ewephoria, TTTD, will be in the shade until mid-day. I have climbed out their with
Tombstone weather reporting 85 and it was way present in the shade with a breeze.
Mystery of the desert, or Tour busses welcome on Muttonhead will be in the shade as well.

Paul, head down to Sheepshead Friday night, get up at five and you should have plenty of time to send. Or go to the reef. Tons of stuff to do there. Go through the guidebook and you will find a ton of stuff to do at the Reef. Or go with the flow and get on shady single pitch routes.

I have done the early morning Sheepshead thing when it was still hot in October. It is certainly doable, but after climbing there for two days in the 90s, I was completely worked and told myself not to do that again.

We'll probably go to the Reef.