Friday, December 19, 2025
Priest Draw/EoY Update
Monday, December 15, 2025
Another superstitions canyon
I went exploring in the Superstitions with Thomas Rotchford a few weeks ago. We checked out a small canyon that seemed to have some boulders, and we found some things that could be worth cleaning. It's no fish creek, but we found some good boulders. One is a perfect 45 degree wall, with a massive start jug in the middle and some water-polished volcanic pockets and pinches that go all the way up to a slabby topout. Unfortunately, there is a lake underneath the boulder so cleaning it will have to come after the water dries up. At some point, the canyon was flooded enough that it didn't make much sense to go much further, so we had to turn around. In addition to the standout 45, there are a few other highballs and other easy climbs as well as a neat roof with a sandy landing. I hope the holds still are intact after cleaning.
I didn't take too many photos, but I also checked out an area developed by Jothan and friends near Broadway in the Superstitions the day after. The bouldering is in a classic oak-flat vertical style, but with superstitions-style blocky holds. The climbing there is tall, and we put up a nice 4-move board climb and top-roped the left side of a tall vertical boulder. I was able to top it cleanly, completing the vision done by Jothan and a visiting climber, RJ, though it's not really a true ascent until it's been bouldered. Given that the fall zone is right next to a cactus, I'm in no hurry to go back to do it until the holds are all clean.
| 45 wall. Photo by Thomas Rotchford |
| Shallow water soloing. Photo by Thomas Rotchford |
| Took a wrong turn |
Priest Draw/EoY Update
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