Check Out Our June 2013 Cover!

Check out this sneak peek of our June issue. We’re showcasing 10 of our favorite hikes in our summer hiking guide. Of course, if you can’t wait until June, you can always find great hiking options in the Arizona Highways Hiking Guide: 52 of Arizona’s Best Day Hikes for Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall.

Enjoy… and don’t forget to pick up your copy, on newsstands in just a couple of weeks.

Good Cause Alert: Hike for the Homeless

Courtesy of Hike for the Homeless

Looking for a good cause this weekend? Why not Hike for the Homeless? Talk about good for the heart… and the soul.

Valley residents can help the homeless get back on their feet by joining St. Joseph the Worker’s 15th annual Hike for the Homeless, sponsored by Scottsdale Healthcare, on March 2 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills and Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear.

St. Joseph the Worker’s annual charity event will bring the community together to raise money for homeless and disadvantaged individuals. The nonprofit organization’s goal is to raise $95,000 to help the homeless get back to work and become self-sufficient again through its employment opportunity programs.

The event’s expenses are underwritten by presenting sponsor Scottsdale Healthcare, which enables 100 percent of the funds raised to support St. Joseph the Worker’s program services.

“We want to create a positive growth cycle, moving in the direction to end homelessness. Homelessness and joblessness are so very closely related, and it can happen to anyone,” said Daniel Jacoby, committee chair for St. Joseph the Worker. “Homelessness can happen as quickly as 30 to 90 days after someone loses their job. Putting people back to work can help them get back into their homes.”

Courtesy of Hike for the Homeless

Hikers have the option of choosing the venue most convenient for them to participate: McDowell Mountain Regional Park trailhead staging area in Fountain Hills (1.5-mile and 4.5-mile hikes), or Estrella Mountain Regional Park’s Ramada 5 in Goodyear (0.5-mile, 2-mile and 6-mile hikes). Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. at both locations.

Register or donate online prior to Feb. 25 to receive the discounted rate at http://www.hikeforthehomeless.org. After Feb. 25, registration form and payment are due on the event day. Hikers can participate as individuals or organize as business teams or as friends and family groups. The event includes awards for the largest team and the most spirited team.

Last year’s hike attracted more than 1,200 participants and raised $65,000 for St. Joseph the Worker.

To register for the hike, to make a donation or for more information, visit http://www.hikeforthehomeless.org, email hike@sjwjobs.org or call Candace Sherwood at (602) 223-3467.

Q&A with Erik Wolfe, Co-Author of Sedona Rocks!: A Climber’s Guide

Courtesy of Erik Wolfe

Erik Wolfe has been a climber for 22 years. He started climbing in the North Cascades of Washington state, where the emphasis was on traditional climbing. This experience culminated in several long, back-country first ascents in 2005 and 2006, the stand-out being the completion of a 25-pitch ascent that was featured in Alpinist Magazine.  In 2008, he moved to Flagstaff, and by this time he had the bug for putting up new routes. There, Erik met Sedona Rocks! co-author David Bloom, and the pair spent a lot of time exploring and putting up climbs. David has over 25 years experience, and is a great climbing partner to Erik and a resource of information.

Below, Erik talks about their new hiking book, Sedona Rocks!:

Seems like there are a lot of books about climbing, what inspired your book?
Climbing with co-author David Bloom and other partners, it became apparent that the previous rock climbing guides were seriously out-dated. Another objective was to dispel the “scary and loose” reputation that Sedona climbing has had for years. New climbs had been going up in multiple areas around Sedona for some number of years. David has an eidetic memory for routes and beta (route details), and I have a good organizational mind and decent artistic talent for topography. Over a period of time, we came to realize we were well matched for the enormous task of organizing the areas and climbs of the region. After talking to a lot of the locals, we found that they were very supportive of the project. We were inspired by people that wanted their climbs to be repeated and enjoyed! The support was there, and the excitement was palpable. After 4 years to reach publication, the response has been overwhelmingly positive – a really nice reward for the effort.

What can readers expect from the book… is this something a novice could purchase and use?
In a word: No. Sedona is an adventure climber’s paradise, but many of the routes tend to be quite challenging in that regard. Even the easier routes can involve long approaches and a larger skill set than your average “beginner-friendly” climbing areas. That being said, the rewards equal the challenge. There are many moderate adventure climbs for those seeking an experience outside of the local crag. Generally, this is an area that is exhilarating but challenging with spectacular summits – but the beginning climber should tag along with an experienced leader. On the positive side, the experience of Sedona climbing definitely expands the perspective of the newer climber as to what real climbing is about, and that makes one a better all-around climber.

What will advanced climbers like about this book?
The advanced and expert climber will find the Sedona region to be very rewarding and diverse. The area abounds with sport, mixed and traditional routes with year-round climbing. From road-side cragging to back-country adventures, the experienced climber will find here a virtually unlimited vertical landscape for their desires, especially for those intrigued by traditional and mixed adventure climbs. The majority of climbs in Sedona are grade 5.10 and up. The newer climbs, while safer than the “old school” routes are still challenging, often require good technical skills and commitment.

What makes climbing in Sedona so special or unique? Why should I climb the red rocks?
The Sedona region is one of the most scenic and spectacular areas in the climbing world. Everywhere that one ventures has spacious and inspiring settings: whether it be a long approach up any of the multiple back-country canyons or the closer mesas and pinnacles, the adventure and connection to the earth spirit cannot be equaled. People travel from all over to experience the “Sedona energy”, and the climbing brings one a peak experience. Additionally, the approaches and climbing often take one off the normal beaten path – offering vistas and unique features not often seen by other travelers.

Did you face any challenges writing this book? How did you overcome those challenges to complete it?
The information that we initially received from the locals was staggering in its scope. There are over 550 climbs in 24 different climbing areas, and there are often areas within areas. Collecting and organizing so much raw data and creating the topo maps that climbers rely on for each climb was a daunting and very time-consuming task. The book was repeatedly being re-written and edited as new information was found and corrections were made. Once committed, we knew we had to follow through to the end. We just had to keep focused on the final goal until completion.

What do you love most about the book?
We wanted to keep a traditional feel to the guidebook, and I really love the mix of hand-drawn topographical maps and photographic ones. It gives the book nice variety, yet provides the landmarks and directions needed to navigate the sprawling region. I also really like the professional photographs of climbers that were donated by some of the top climbing photographers that live in the area.

What’s next for you?
We actually started this book as a Flagstaff and Sedona area guide, but it quickly got too big for just one book. The Flagstaff area guide will be the next project we are going to work on publishing.

 

National Walk In The Woods Day

The Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista Ranger District will celebrate National Walk in the Woods day by leading a hike in Ash Canyon on the Lutz Canyon Trail (#104) on May 18 at 8:00 a.m. National Walk in the Woods Day is intended to invite people to spend time in the great outdoors.

Lutz Canyon Trail is 2.9 miles long and accesses historic mining ruins as well as beautiful views. It climbs in elevation from 5,750 to 8,750 feet and is considered a more difficult hike. The trail offers access to Miller Peak and has 2.3 miles of trail within the Miller Peak Wilderness.

The trail can be accessed by driving twelve miles south of Sierra Vista on Arizona Highway 92 to Ash Canyon Road, Forest Road 59 (FR 59).  Follow FR 59 about 1.6 miles to the signed turnoff for Lutz Canyon. The trail starts at the end of the road. FR 59 is not an improved road.

For more information please contact the Sierra Vista Ranger District located at 5990 S. Highway 92 in Hereford Arizona. The office can be reached by phone by calling (520) 378-0311.  Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Check Out the June Cover of Arizona Highways!

Happy May Day! And We Know Just How You Should Celebrate…

…Explore the White Mountains!

If you haven’t checked out the May issue of Arizona Highways, well, we suggest you run out and pick up your copy today…… it’s May Day, after all.

Our May issue highlights our 50 favorite things to do in the White Mountains — think hiking, fishing, sunrises, even food — there’s plenty to do in the magnificent White Mountains…. it really is some of Mother Nature’s best work.

So what do you like to do in the White Mountains?

The May issue of Arizona Highways is on newsstands now.