Hiked up from the east side with Guy Cloutier
and a group in early 1970's. We were on easiest route,
but still had a lead climber place a rope at the spot
where the old lookout route had a wood staircase (ladder ?).
Matt Miller - Sep 30, 2007 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 1999
Crystal Line
Summited with Josh. Intended to go up the SE Arete, but ended up on the Crystal Line. I had only been climbing for a month or so at the time and a 5.8R was a little out of my league. It scared the crap out of me even though I wasn't leading. Only had a liter of water each, was a very hot day, and since we got on the wrong route, it took much longer than anticipated, so we both were very dehydrated by the time we got back.
Climbed this in 2003 with Skyler Rodolph. We did the Forbes Route from the east. We left Tucson at 4am and made it back home around 6pm. This is my favorite mountain in Arizona.
markhyams - Apr 2, 2007 6:07 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2007
Forbes Route
Great area and great mountain. Kind of like a desert Grand Teton.
We did "Cloud man got Angry" a recently established route at the time that joins with Born of Water 3 pitches from the top. An awesome peak. Anyone have beta on the Spring Route?
Eric Tipton - May 8, 2006 4:02 am Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2006
"Born of Water"
I climbed this peak with Brad Singer. This climb was like other Arizona climbs I've done in that you climb in such an awesome setting. The Born of Water route differed from my arizona experiance in that it was well protected. probably to well protected but I clipped all the bolts anyways. Just when we thought we had the route whipped Brad pulled a 100 lb. boulder into his lap and got a little beat up. Stay off the lichen covered rock. Brad surrvived and we made the summit. Decended the "Forbes/Montoya" route. We approached from the west side and it took us 13 hours car to car. Good route, great partner, Awesome Peak.
From the West campground, up good, but overgrown trail. Well beaten-out trail along south side of rock along lion's Ledge to start of route. Worth the couple of minutes to go around the corner, before you head up, just to check out the East face. Some pitches easily linked. Seems like all pitches have a little technical climbing, then lots of scrambling to the belay point. And then more scrambling to the base of the last, short pitch (fixed pin gone?). Last pitch passes easily left of stacked blocks on the arête along a ledge about 6', then up past a horizontal crack (good pro) and ledge (8'), then back right and up to tree. Long scramble to top. Many presents left on top. Down Forbes route. 13 hour day, car to car (recovering from illness) wonderful day. No clouds, light breeze.
Mountain Jim - Mar 4, 2006 5:00 am Date Climbed: Mar 29, 1995
From the west
Nice climb. Very different from what I'm used to in Colorado.
Route Climbed: Forbes Route Date Climbed: March 24, 2005
This was my first roped climb. What a beauty of peak for that landmark in my short career of peakbagging! I contend that the approach from the Indian reservation is the more scenic. Despite the incredible views of Babo from the Thomas Canyon approach, I don't see how it can top the views of the amazing cliffs of Baboquivari Canyon and the other spectacular ridges that reach from the range crest into the Babo Valley. This is a very special place, highly recommended!! A trip report is available here.
One of my favorite climbs... great rock and even better exposure. Some 5-6 pitches of 5.6 or so...
I would recommend descending the Forbes route after climbing this; you'll probably only have to rap once. Just get off the summit early or you'll never find the way down!
Route Climbed: SouthEast Arete from Lion's Ledge Date Climbed: April 5th 2003
Robert Somoano, Penelope May and I climbed the classic SE Arete of Babo on April 5th 2003. Had a great time climbing the 4 1/2 pitches (we had 60 m ropes) and scrambled up the rest. We decided to rap the route, a distinct mistake as it took us almost 5 hours to do so. The strong, cold wind from the south, didn't help. Fortunately, the ropes got stuck only once. We would recommend the route but not the rap. Try the Forbes route down instead.
Route Climbed: Forbe's Route Date Climbed: 10/20/01
Very nice peak! West side approach much longer than East although the Baboquivari Park campground is well maintained as is the trail. From campsite to peak is approx. 4 1/2 Miles with an elevation gain of 4,400'. This is a fee area to avoid stay on East side (B.L.M.) pay attention not to stray on nearby private land.
oldadit - Aug 5, 2008 7:04 pm
Hiking with GuyHiked up from the east side with Guy Cloutier
and a group in early 1970's. We were on easiest route,
but still had a lead climber place a rope at the spot
where the old lookout route had a wood staircase (ladder ?).
Matt Miller - Sep 30, 2007 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 1999
Crystal LineSummited with Josh. Intended to go up the SE Arete, but ended up on the Crystal Line. I had only been climbing for a month or so at the time and a 5.8R was a little out of my league. It scared the crap out of me even though I wasn't leading. Only had a liter of water each, was a very hot day, and since we got on the wrong route, it took much longer than anticipated, so we both were very dehydrated by the time we got back.
hans.schenk - Sep 23, 2007 4:16 pm
Forbes RouteClimbed this in 2003 with Skyler Rodolph. We did the Forbes Route from the east. We left Tucson at 4am and made it back home around 6pm. This is my favorite mountain in Arizona.
markhyams - Apr 2, 2007 6:07 pm Date Climbed: Mar 29, 2007
Forbes RouteGreat area and great mountain. Kind of like a desert Grand Teton.
Dan the Jones - Mar 8, 2007 8:58 pm
HikedHiked in and camped around the base of the mountain. Did some small outlier peaks but nothing hardcore.
Flex - Dec 23, 2006 10:30 pm
Cloud Man got Angry Nov/03We did "Cloud man got Angry" a recently established route at the time that joins with Born of Water 3 pitches from the top. An awesome peak. Anyone have beta on the Spring Route?
Eric Tipton - May 8, 2006 4:02 am Date Climbed: Apr 28, 2006
"Born of Water"I climbed this peak with Brad Singer. This climb was like other Arizona climbs I've done in that you climb in such an awesome setting. The Born of Water route differed from my arizona experiance in that it was well protected. probably to well protected but I clipped all the bolts anyways. Just when we thought we had the route whipped Brad pulled a 100 lb. boulder into his lap and got a little beat up. Stay off the lichen covered rock. Brad surrvived and we made the summit. Decended the "Forbes/Montoya" route. We approached from the west side and it took us 13 hours car to car. Good route, great partner, Awesome Peak.
tdoughty - Apr 18, 2006 9:23 pm Date Climbed: Apr 16, 2006
SE AreteFrom the West campground, up good, but overgrown trail. Well beaten-out trail along south side of rock along lion's Ledge to start of route. Worth the couple of minutes to go around the corner, before you head up, just to check out the East face. Some pitches easily linked. Seems like all pitches have a little technical climbing, then lots of scrambling to the belay point. And then more scrambling to the base of the last, short pitch (fixed pin gone?). Last pitch passes easily left of stacked blocks on the arête along a ledge about 6', then up past a horizontal crack (good pro) and ledge (8'), then back right and up to tree. Long scramble to top. Many presents left on top. Down Forbes route. 13 hour day, car to car (recovering from illness) wonderful day. No clouds, light breeze.
Mountain Jim - Mar 4, 2006 5:00 am Date Climbed: Mar 29, 1995
From the westNice climb. Very different from what I'm used to in Colorado.
LandonQ - Nov 22, 2005 2:16 pm
Date Climbed: UnknownSwams of lady bugs at the top
RyanS - Mar 27, 2005 2:21 pm
Route Climbed: Forbes Route Date Climbed: March 24, 2005This was my first roped climb. What a beauty of peak for that landmark in my short career of peakbagging! I contend that the approach from the Indian reservation is the more scenic. Despite the incredible views of Babo from the Thomas Canyon approach, I don't see how it can top the views of the amazing cliffs of Baboquivari Canyon and the other spectacular ridges that reach from the range crest into the Babo Valley. This is a very special place, highly recommended!! A trip report is available here.
streeyyr - Mar 10, 2005 3:55 pm
Route Climbed: Thomas Canyon Date Climbed: Sept 1991 & May 2003A truly spectacular desert peak.
Andinistaloco - Aug 26, 2004 12:32 am
Route Climbed: SE Arete Date Climbed: 1997?One of my favorite climbs... great rock and even better exposure. Some 5-6 pitches of 5.6 or so...
I would recommend descending the Forbes route after climbing this; you'll probably only have to rap once. Just get off the summit early or you'll never find the way down!
Felsberg - Dec 20, 2003 9:34 pm
Route Climbed: West Approach Date Climbed: 1990Climbed with my dad and a small group at age 12, my first 'mountaineering'.
asmrz - Apr 11, 2003 1:48 pm
Route Climbed: SouthEast Arete from Lion's Ledge Date Climbed: April 5th 2003Robert Somoano, Penelope May and I climbed the classic SE Arete of Babo on April 5th 2003. Had a great time climbing the 4 1/2 pitches (we had 60 m ropes) and scrambled up the rest. We decided to rap the route, a distinct mistake as it took us almost 5 hours to do so. The strong, cold wind from the south, didn't help. Fortunately, the ropes got stuck only once. We would recommend the route but not the rap. Try the Forbes route down instead.
gwedin - Oct 24, 2001 8:50 am
Route Climbed: Forbe's Route Date Climbed: 10/20/01Very nice peak! West side approach much longer than East although the Baboquivari Park campground is well maintained as is the trail. From campsite to peak is approx. 4 1/2 Miles with an elevation gain of 4,400'. This is a fee area to avoid stay on East side (B.L.M.) pay attention not to stray on nearby private land.