Family Posts

Personal posts noting family events, transitions, or personal reflections.

Peak 2976 (Little Ajo Mountains), Arizona, March 2025

April 12, 2025 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Thursday, March 27, Linda and I found a somewhat secluded campsite off Darby Spring Road south of the town of Ajo, Arizona. Here we spend the next three nights with our dogs. I hiked my second peak, Peak 2976, on Saturday. Meanwhile, Linda explored the Sonoran Desert near our camp on her mountain bike with our dogs.

Peak 2976 (Little Ajo Mountains) from BLM Road 8112G

Peak 2976 is one of many steep peaks in the Little Ajo Range west of Ajo. This peak in particular has 1116 feet of topographic prominence, which draws the attention of Arizona peakbaggers. But, as far as I know, no one has suggested a better name for this rugged little peak.

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Childs Mountain, Arizona, March 2025

April 11, 2025 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Thursday, March 27, Linda and I found a somewhat secluded campsite off Darby Spring Road south of Ajo, Arizona. Here we spend the next three nights with our dogs. I hiked my first peak, Childs Mountain, on Friday. Meanwhile, Linda explored the Sonoran Desert near our camp on foot with our dogs.

Childs Mountain to the west from near AZ Hwy 85

Childs Mountain has 1240 feet of topographic prominence and is the site of a FAA radar facility. To reach it, I drove north from Ajo on Arizona highway 85, then west on Childs Mountain Road. The road was gated about four miles short of the facility. I parked nearby and hiked the road upwards.

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Completing My USA State Highpoints Project, March 2022

April 12, 2022 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

This March I completed my USA State Highpoints project by visiting Sassafras Mountain, Brasstown Bald, Cheaha Mountain, and, lastly, Britton Hill.

The Western USA State Highpoints

Paul on the summit of Mount Hood (July 1977) — Paul on the summit of Mount Hood (June 1977)

I began visiting USA State Highpoints in June 1977 with Mount Hood, the highpoint of Oregon. But I had no idea I was starting a State Highpoints project. I had previously climbed two other Oregon volcanoes and somehow the opportunity to join other work colleagues on an attempt of Mount Hood came up. This was my first experience with roped climbing on snow and ice with ice axe and crampons. I wore jeans and a cotton shirt, but the weather and conditions were excellent and I got away with my inexperience. Soon afterwards I improved my skills on a week-long snow and ice climbing course.

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Monkey Face, Oregon, June 1995

June 11, 2021 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

Monkey Face is an often photographed and climbed rock tower at Smith Rock State Park in Central Oregon. Linda Topping and I climbed Monkey Face on June 11, 1995, 26 years ago. The climb was an exciting and memorable experience. We fondly remember the climb when we see Monkey Face on our hikes or bike rides in the area. But we have never repeated the climb.

Monkey Face from the southeast in June 1995.

In the view of Monkey Face above, “Bohn Street” is the ledge just above the notch on the left at the base of Monkey Face’s neck. The “bolt ladder” leads up the overhanging neck to the right side of Monkey Face’s mouth. From there we climb out of the left side of the mouth up to the nose, a large rock block with anchors, then scramble up through an eye socket to the top. The overhanging rappel begins at the right side of the nose block.

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