I'll be in the area this summer and would like to climb some moderates if I can find someone to climb with. I have gear and can lead up to 5.8 or so.

have fun - seneca is terrific. keep in mind that the climbs at seneca are pretty hard for the grade, even by phoenix standards.

I have June 22-July 14 off and am planning a climbing road trip somewhere that I can bring my good dog. I will try to find you online when I nail it. Amy

Geir is right. If you can climb up to 5.8, do a warm up or 2 and work your way up to the grade at Seneca. Grading at Seneca, especially moderates, can be stiff. Be safe and have a great time.

Bring water, lots of it. You do not want to have to hike the stairmaster two times in one june/july day!

One good thing (of many) about Seneca is that it has a north-south orientation, so you can follow the shade by climbing on the west side in the morning, then the east side in the afternoon. June and July will be hot for sure, in a different way that Phoenix is hot, but definitely climbable.

pete-

if you are good at most of the old pinnacle peak lines you won't have a tough time. Lots of pro, and the grades are easier than Carderock or Granite Mountain (traditional grades, not inflato).

I've done about everything (or more correctly tried) on the south summit and the southern pillar. You can hide from the direct sun, but humidity will kick in. it can be slick so if you use the white stuff have it on hand.

must do's:
soler (maybe the best route behind cottonmouth-venom at seneca)
pleasant o
triple s
burn
tomato
ecstasy
if you get excited, caster and pollux to orange aid (stiff) or alcoa then climbin' punishment.

of all the 4 stars on this site, you be the judge of west pole. I do not hold it in high regard.

Thanks for the info. I'll look those routes up, Rick. My parents live in Staunton, Virgina. I climbed the first pitch of Old Ladies route this past Christmas at 16 degrees and blowing snow because I couldn't stand the thought of being so close to Seneca and not checking it out. I have in mind starting in the neighborhood of 5.4 and working up. I spent a week at Jtree last month and was comfortable up to 5.8-. Well, by comfortable I mean not totally frozen in fear.

Pete, part way up the stairmaster is ecstasy junior. A great seneca 5.4 that has stemming, cracks, some face climbing and a little exposure. The exposure is not too much becase alot of the route seems to be below the trees. If you scramble up and left after the end you will be near luncheon ledge where old ladies starts. A great intro to seneca and you skip half the stairmaster and alot of scrambling. July can be quite hot and humid.

Hi Pete,

Ièm always interested in heading to Seneca. Iève sent you a message...

Dave