Picacho del Diablo - Baja California MEX

Climbed the Picacho del Diablo (Baja's highest peak) via the Pinnacle Ridge. Lots of amazing easy 5th scrambling in one of the most rugged landscapes on the West Coast. Check out the trip report here: https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=23364&cpgm=tripmine

That's epic! I've wanted to explore that area in the past. Are there any large more vertical walls in the immediate area?

The link isn't working. 

David- thanks for the TR 

Julian Madridwrote:

That's epic! I've wanted to explore that area in the past. Are there any large more vertical walls in the immediate area?

Julian, we noticed some sizeable vertical walls a ways south of where we were. Certainly some potential out there, would be an adventurous approach for sure!

Guy Keeseewrote:

David- thanks for the TR 

No problem Guy, thanks for checking it out! I'm a new-ish LA transplant, and appreciate your constant updates on Stoney Point (which I still need to check out one of these days). 

Mark Hudonwrote:

The link isn't working. 

Mark, try this one: https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=23364

BTW, awesome job on your Iron Haw solo. Very riveting. I saw one of your slideshows at Blue Granite in So Lake Tahoe last year, and it was very inspiring. Thanks for checking out my TR!

David Awrote:

Mark, try this one: https://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=23364

BTW, awesome job on your Iron Haw solo. Very riveting. I saw one of your slideshows at Blue Granite in So Lake Tahoe last year, and it was very inspiring. Thanks for checking out my TR!

Thanks.

I'm in Mexico right now, maybe the connection is funny.

Enjoyed the TR! That's a big day.

Always wanted to go up there but was always in beach mode when driving by.

Sick David! Strong work. The elevation profile on the track looks brutal!!

14ers website seems to block foreign IP addresses, here is a mirror: web.archive.org/web/2025122…

That works, thanks. 

Excellent report: thanks for taking the time to put it together.

David A., thanks for posting your amazing and detailed trip report! Your narrative and photos show the rugged beauty of that terrain. 

In November, I posted the following on a Baja enthusiasts' forum:

Picacho del Diablo, Pinnacle Ridge route, sub-16 hours
A trip report came in from a SoCal climber. He and two partners from Colorado ascended Picacho Del Diablo (aka: Cerro de la Encantada or Cerro Providencia) 10,157' (3,096 m) via the Pinnacle Ridge route on November 8, 2025. In a blazing fast time of 15 hours, 57 minutes, car to car!

To my knowledge, every prior ascent made at least one bivouac on a multi-day ascent. They reported an initial 120' section of 5.7 difficulty, for which they used a rope and protection. The remainder of the very long ridge was completed free-solo (without ropes). With skilled downclimbing and intricate route finding, they were able to avoid doing any of the formerly mandatory rappels.

Their approach passed the Cerro Botella Azul (Blue Bottle Peak) saddle to reach the Pinnacle Ridge. After traversing the ridge, they ascended the South summit, then the North summit, before descending the normal route down "Wall Street" to Campo Noche on the canyon floor. Headlamps were needed as they ascended from Campo Noche to the trail and parking area.

Congratulations to David, Will, & Ryan who were just out having fun, though almost certainly set a new record.