Trip Report
Ewephoria 5.7, Cochise Stronghold
Thursday December 1, 2011 3:52pm
I had been getting stoked for an adventure the past few days, so I headed out to climb the 750ft Ewephoria on the Sheepshead in Cochise Stronghold near Tombstone, AZ. Having read about the high quality desert granite, I was psyched to get a lot of it!
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Credit: sjellison
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The hike in gave me the creeps a bit. Its pretty wild out in the desert around here. With the recent Jaguar encounter in the area and my mountain lion paranoia along with the awesome history of the Apaches, I was a bit spooked on the approach in the dark. SUPER COOL

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Pitch 1 was a stellar 5.7 corner with great face climbing above.
Pitch 1 was a stellar 5.7 corner with great face climbing above.
Credit: sjellison
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Fantastic mixed crack and bolted face climbing on gorgeous rock!!
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The trusty belayer.
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The "crux" bulge pitch. Starts off friction climbing a beautiful water streak.

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Chickenheads!!! Made for climbing! Crazy alligator skin rock!

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EWWWWWW!!! Disgusting. It's an Ewe!!

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Just as I was getting a bit lonely at the top of pitch 3 I came across some company.

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As recommended by Mountain Project, I took the last pitch of Too Tough to Die which was definitely the most memorable pitch. Unbelievable! An overhanging bolted pitch at the top of the Sheepshead. Super classic exposed roof and arete climbing.
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Credit: sjellison
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Credit: sjellison
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This guy scarred the S#$% out of me.

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Credit: sjellison
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This photo actually reminds me of Mt. Whitney... I'll always want to be in the Sierra...

Although, high quality, 5 pitch, granite routes in sunny 60 degree weather in near December is pretty nice!

  Trip Report Views: 3,209
sjellison
About the Author
sjellison is a mountain climber from Range of Light.

Comments
Russ Walling

Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
  Dec 1, 2011 - 04:12pm PT
Good stuff!
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Dec 1, 2011 - 04:28pm PT
Awesome granite pics, was that a beatle or what in the crack?
Thanks for sharing!!!!!
sjellison

Mountain climber
Range of Light
Author's Reply  Dec 1, 2011 - 05:45pm PT
Steelmnky: Thanks for the awesome beta. I can't wait to do the other routes. I imagine one could crank out quite a few in a day there.

Ezra: It was a black lizard.
karodrinker

Trad climber
San Jose, CA
  Dec 1, 2011 - 05:53pm PT
gorgeous!
TFPU

Sport climber
Idaho
  Dec 1, 2011 - 06:00pm PT
Nice.....um....TFPU!


Which is the best guide for this area?

How's the climbing in Feb/March?

Thanks in advance
sjellison

Mountain climber
Range of Light
Author's Reply  Dec 1, 2011 - 06:03pm PT
TFPU: I would use Mountain Project, but a limited selection is in "AZ rock climbing" falcon guide. There is also Bob Kerry's online guide:

http://www.climbaz.com/Backcountry/backcountry.html

This may be dated and missing new routes.

A cochise-specific guidebook would be rad!


I think it's still pretty nice that time of year. Not too hot yet I imagine.
mike m

Trad climber
black hills
  Dec 1, 2011 - 06:20pm PT
The rock looks so good down there.
TFPU

Sport climber
Idaho
  Dec 1, 2011 - 06:28pm PT
Thanks man!

For sure I'll check those out.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
  Dec 1, 2011 - 06:41pm PT
Good times!
Bowser

Social climber
Durango CO
  Dec 1, 2011 - 06:49pm PT
Nice TR. I love the Stronghold but have not spent enough time there. Thanks for posting up.

TB
Manny

Social climber
tempe
  Dec 1, 2011 - 08:22pm PT
Nice TR, sounds like a great day.
Gal

Trad climber
going big air to fakie
  Dec 1, 2011 - 09:38pm PT
Sounds like fun, i love that climb! Good job.
Dirka

Trad climber
Hustle City
  Dec 2, 2011 - 12:26am PT
Bump!
Prod

Trad climber
  Dec 2, 2011 - 12:29am PT
Sweet work.

Prod.
M. Volland

Trad climber
Grand Canyon
  Dec 2, 2011 - 07:27am PT
I've got to get the family down there. Thanks for sharing!
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