Marilyn topping out on Born of Water on Baboquivar...
Description
This long, slabby route follows a waterchute from the second through fourth pitches and continues on a left traversing dike after that. The crux is the third pitch which is a very well bolt-protected waterchute up a headwall. It's short but has some excellent moves. There's only one other difficult pitch, the third, which is a long bolt-protected face with the crux move over a shallow roof. Other than that, the climbing never really gets any harder than 5.7 with fairly sparse pro. Difficult route finding near the top with many different ways to go. Good rock on the harder pitches and loose, flaky rock on the rest. Babo is a fabulous summit, so any route to the top is well worth it.
Location
The route is located on the south/southwest face of the peak. Bushwhack past the start of the Forbes Route along the Great Ramp to Lion's Ledge. Head down Lion's Ledge for about a 100 yards and look for a dead 12' log resting against a small pillar. This is the start. The first pitch follows a left leaning ramp crack and turns back right ending on a small pillar below a shallow overhang. Descend the Forbes-Montoya route. Expect some steep down-climbing and at least 1 rap. If doing the route from car to car, allow at least 3 hours for the approach, 4 hours for the climbing, and another 3 hours for the descent and walk back to camp. Makes for a long day.
Protection
Rack needed: at least 12 quickdraws and 1 set of cams to #3 Camalot. 1 set of nuts. It pros well in the harder areas.
I was under the impression that this was a Mike Strassman route. Is my info incorrect???
If this route was judged on just the climbing it would be 2 stars at best, and maybe even one star. However, it is in such a spectacular and special location with such awesome scenery that it certainly deserves 3 stars. Babo is an incredible, special place.
john- yeah, i know it doesn't seem right. as i recall he told me in the same conversation that the entry in the kerry book regarding his ascent of the spring route was a typo, and that he also hasn't been out to leviathan. but, the drugs may have soiled my memory. someone will have ask him to clarify when he's back in town.
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