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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 638
Registered: 8-29-2003
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On the first full day of hiking, at about 3000 feet elevation, I was busting trail and about to step down on this rock when I noticed Sargent Red had
already claimed this trail as his.
As hikers know, red diamondbacks are very non-aggresive rattlesnakes and this daddy was true to type. He never rattled, coiled or even acknowledged
our prescence. We used the moment to stop and broke for lunch, eating our meal 10 feet away from Sgt. Red. We finished lunch and went around that
rock leaving Sgt. Red as he was. Live and let live in peace.
Why do I call red diamondbacks Sgt. Red?
Because invariably when I see one on the trails they always command me to attention and order an about face! Yes Sir!
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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wornout
Senior Nomad
Posts: 595
Registered: 10-24-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja California
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Mood: No Bad Days
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Don Jorge and Desert Rat, thanks for the stories, glad you guys are back home safe and sound. That was me who honked as we saw you at the last
minute, in Mexicali, when you were getting fueled up at the Pemex.
This Space Available, E-Mail Me If Interested.
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allanbartlett
Junior Nomad
Posts: 34
Registered: 6-26-2005
Location: orange county
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Re: Sgt. Red
That is actually a speckled Rattlesnake and not a red diamondback. The red diamondbacks have a well defined black and white banded tail and the
speckleds have a kinda faded black and white tail. A very impressive specimen nonetheless. The are actually three speciaes of rattlesnakes in the
canyon there. You have red diamondbacks, speckleds, and Southern Pacific Rattlers. It looks like you guys had one hell of a good time on that hike.
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jide
Nomad
Posts: 245
Registered: 4-9-2003
Location: san diego
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Don Jorge & Desert Rat,
Thanks for the pics. If you guys are planning another expedition in canyon diablo, please let me know, I would LOVE to join the adventure!!!!
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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 638
Registered: 8-29-2003
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AB, so would it be Sgt Specs? Thanks for the info. He was so non aggressive I wasn't looking at his tail, figured he was a red. I wrong.
Jide, I will let you know when we/I go next spring. Dez Rat says he was happy with Campo Noche and may not want to go back. But I am going next
spring again for sure.
Hiking with Dez Rat is a blast and I hope he comes. You're young but us old folks and our old knees have a hard time coming down, going up is the
easy part.
There is a man who has done the ascent 11? times, and now has artificial knees!
I have my sights set on a Pacific to Cortez hike, Faro San Jose to Gonzaga this winter via Jaraguay mesas and dropping into Canon Santa Maria. Done
some exploratories and got the prelims figured out now just need to set some dates and drop some water caches on the western end of the hike. Jide,
you interested? Dez Rat you out there? January or February, depending on the rains, if there is any.
Summer's here and fishing, surfing and diving are in season. I'll keep you informed about the hikes for next season!
Adios!
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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jide
Nomad
Posts: 245
Registered: 4-9-2003
Location: san diego
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Don Jorge,
Pacific-to-cortez or diablo.... count me in! I should be back from europe christmas trip before or around mid january.
Thanks
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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DR, Jide, Don Jorge, has anyone, TYK, climbed the pinnacle route from Blue Bottle to Picacho? Doable? What level climb? Any pictures?
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Desert Rat
The Pinnacle Ridge route is a class 5 climb. |
Unfortunately, that doesn't tell me much. Could be that one small section is a 5 or the whole route is scary. Wish I could read a journal or see some
pics.
It's probably wishful thinking anyway. The last real climbing I did was over ten years ago when I was in much better shape and a whole lot dumber.
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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 638
Registered: 8-29-2003
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There are several cruxes, 5.8 to 5.9 and lesser 5th class moves too. In between the problems are some of the toughest class 3 and 4 scrambles you
could imagine. Be prepared and ready to bivouac.
It is done, very rarely, by young, extremely fit, experienced and talented teams of hard core peak baggers.
That leaves me out!
Not many pictures of that route as the kinda folks that try it mostly don't give a poop about sharing photos with us armchair adventurers. Good
Luck!
Looking down from Night Wash at Campo Noche:
[Edited on 7-1-2005 by Don Jorge]
[Edited on 7-1-2005 by Don Jorge]
[Edited on 7-1-2005 by Don Jorge]
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Let us know it we can assist you D'Rat and Don Jorge. (or others)
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Don Jorge
There are several cruxes, 5.8 to 5.9 and lesser 5th class moves too. In between the problems are some of the toughest class 3 and 4 scrambles you
could imagine. Be prepared and ready to bivouac.
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I thought I might be dreaming but I was wrong. It sounds like a nightmare.
My original thought was that because of a repaired but (still)bum knee I could save decending to Noche. If I go I'll probably do the canyon and get
transport up top. For me, the summit isn't in the cards.
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Don Jorge
Senior Nomad
Posts: 638
Registered: 8-29-2003
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Spring 06!
OK,
Thought I would bring this up to the top again.
Diablo kicked my sorry arss last spring. Since I am stubborn and a very slow learner, I am giving it another try. Weather will say more later on
dates, but eastern approach April, western approach May, is the rule of thumb. Snow and ice will say when and where.
Dez Rat? Anyone else? More the merrier!
�And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry
years. It was always that way.�― John Steinbeck
"All models are wrong, but some are useful." George E.P. Box
"Nature bats last." Doug "Hayduke" Peac-ck
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Good to see you've still got the spirit there to "Give the Devil his due"
Good luck
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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bajaandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 769
Registered: 2-7-2004
Location: North County
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Mood: Adventurous
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Don Jorge and Dez Rat,
Count me in this year. I'm for sure planning a western approach trip with a climbing buddy from the Pacific Northwest... Dates TBA.
Even if we have parties that approach from two different directions, it might be fun to try to coordinate on dates and times and possibly make a
summit bid together. Just a thought.
[Edited on 12-15-2005 by bajaandy]
subvert the dominant paradigm
"If you travel with a man, you must either fall out with him or make him your good friend."
JBL Noel
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64488
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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If your two groups each had a satellite phone... wouldn't THAT be cool!?
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bajaandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 769
Registered: 2-7-2004
Location: North County
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Mood: Adventurous
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I'm thinking that even if we carry decent two way radios, once one party reaches the Blue Bottle Saddle they should have decent reception to anyone
halfway up Canyon del Diablo. But Sat phones would be the cat's meow. Anybody feel like playing Snata Claus? I've been a good boy this year.
REALLY I have.
subvert the dominant paradigm
"If you travel with a man, you must either fall out with him or make him your good friend."
JBL Noel
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