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Toofast's Topos: Cochise Stronghold topos from a climbing dog
That's right - a dog that draws topos!
Finding information about Cochise Stronghold is rather
difficult. As guidebooks have gone out of print and hundreds of new
routes have been added, there has been growing need for an updated
guidebook.
This page represents part of the solution to this need. Each topo
on this page is carefully drawn after climbing the route multiple times
and meticulously documenting it. They are constantly updated as
new suggestions come in. As time allows, the topos being
developed are of entire walls rather than additional routes. This
helps to eliminate confusion as routes often cross one another in the
Stronghold.
Eventually, all of these topos will be consolidated into a guidebook for the Stronghold. While we're at work on this, all of the topos we produce will be available on this site.
It's our goal to work cooperatively with the folks that have put so
much time and effort into establishing routes in this phenomenal place.
Popularity Soaring ... 8,656 downloads and counting
In its first year, Toofast's Topos has done exceptionally well. From January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008, 5,591
topos were downloaded from our site! We've received countless emails, calls, or
personal thanks from folks raving about them.
In
it's second year, we've already seen a huge increase in downloads.
From January 1, 2009 until April 30, 2009, we had an additional 3,065 downloads. We're really excited about the interest the climbing community has had.
So
Toofast's Topos
are here to stay. Our goal is to produce a printed guidebook with
the best 100 or so multipitch lines in the Stronghold. This is
obviously a huge task ... it will take a tremendous amount of time to
document each of the climbs to the level of detail and accuracy that
folks have come to expect from these topos. As this process
continues, we'll be posting completed topos on this website for your
enjoyment.
We're
also trying something new - utilizing Google Earth to help with driving
and approach directions. Over the next few months, we'll be
detailing approach maps using Google Earth so that you can see exactly
where the climbs are and how to reach them. Utilizing Google
Earth is free and allows users to rotate the maps and print them from
any aspect they choose. It should help you get to the climbs more
easily than ever.
Google Earth can be downloaded for free at www.googleearth.com.
Quality Ratings
Toofast uses the "four paw" rating system. She
thinks that a three star system feels too narrow.
You will
notice that her ratings are skewed toward the positive side.
The reason for this is to provide a broader range in
describing
higher-quality routes. We won't be spending time drawing topos of poor-quality routes.
Below is a description of each "ranking", along with your probable reaction should you climb the route:
 An average route.
Good
Route.
Completely worth the time
spent in driving and approach. The quality of the climbing
makes
for a great day.
Outstanding Route.
A must-do for those who are able to spend a lot of time in
the Stronghold. Characterized by terrific
climbing,
position, and views.
Undisputed
Classic.
A must-do for those staying a short time in the Stronghold.
Quality rock througout, excellent climbing, stunning position and
exposure, fabulous
views, and visually striking.
Difficulty Ratings
I have climbed each route in Toofast's Topos multiple times and
carefully assigned difficulty ratings to them so they compare
reasonably with routes of similar difficulty throughout the country.
When in doubt, I have leaned toward a higher difficulty rating in an
effort to avoid sandbagging newcomers unfamiliar with the routes.
Two formats for each topo
- To print full-page,
full-color topos in one easy step, download Toofast's Topo, available in universal PDF format, and pre-formatted to automatically fit whatever size paper you've set up your printer with.
- If you want to view the topos on your PDA, smartphone, or digital
camera, download
Toofast's Mobile Topo.
- TIP: If you plan to bring your digital
camera on the climb, try putting the Mobile Topo on the camera's memory card.
On many newer cameras, you'll be able to view it on the monitor screen any time.
Topos currently available for download
Sheepshead
Ewephoria.
5.8, 5 Pitches. Mixed, approximately
70%
bolt protected. Slabs and face climbing. Finish on
the last
pitch of "Too Tough to Die" for a nearly perfect climb. Route
Description. Toofast's Topo
Toofast's Mobile Topo
(Updated 3/18/2008).
New route to
the right of Stampede. 5.9/5.10a, 5 pitches. Route
Description Toofast's Topo
Toofast's Mobile Topo
Stampede! 5.11a,
7 pitches.
Bolted. Wrangle yourself
up 7 excellent pitches face and slab climbing. A rack of gear
won't do you any good on this one, you gotta follow the steel.
Route
Description. Toofast's Topo
Toofast's Mobile Topo (Updated 3/2009)
------------------------------------
Sheepshead SW Face: New Topo! Toofast's Topo Toofast's Mobile Topo
Includes the following routes:
Absinthe of
Mallet. 5.10b, 7 pitches. Mixed,
about 50%
bolt protected. Route Description
Unknown. 5.10d. This spicy climb has several runouts
on difficult terrain, but is of very good quality for three pitches.
The upper pitches are not as good, so it is suggested that you
join one of the other routes to finish.
Unknown. 5.10a/b, 6 pitches. Excellent climbing up
the crack and chimney system to the left of Peacemaker. About 50%
bolt protected, but requires a full rack. Route Description
Peacemaker.
5.10a, bolted.
A few
traditional
placements make some of the runouts easier. Route Description
Ides of
Middlemarch 5.10b, 5 pitches.
Mixed, about 10% bolt protected. Route Description
NOTE: There are several additional routes on this face that have yet to be detailed on this topo.
------------------------------------
Cochise Dome
What's
My Line. 5.6, 3 pitches.
Trad. Among
the best climbs in the Stronghold! This unique
climb protects almost entirely by tying off
“chickenheads” – saddle-horn like
features in the
rock. Route
Description Toofast's Topo
Toofast's Mobile Topo
Squaretop
Cragaholic's
Dream. 5.10c, 6 pitches.
Trad. Includes crack, face, and slab climbing. Route
Description.
Toofast's Topo
Toofast's Mobile Topo (updated 2/08)
Rockfellow Area
------------------------------------
End Pinnacle West Face (updated 2/09): Toofast's Topo Toofast's Mobile Topo
Includes the following routes:
Endgame.
5.10b, 5 pitches. Pitches 1-3 shown on this topo. The
final two pitches are found on the End Pinnacle SW face topo. Two
variations to this climb are also detailed on the topo.
Welcome to the Machine. 5.10c, 4 pitches.
You will need the End Pinnacle SW face topo to reach the summit via Endgame or Welcome to the Machine.
Poetry in Motion. 5.10aR, 4 pitches.
This old-school runout climb will keep your attention! It's
fun and worthwhile, but make sure you're climbing solidly before
attempting it.
Unknown. 5.11a, 5 pitches. A very fun route with some
interesting, challenging climbing. All bolted.
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
End Pinnacle SW face (updated 11/08): Toofast's Topo Toofast's Mobile Topo
Includes the following routes:
Days of Future
Past, 5.8A0 or 5.10a. Among the best climbs in the
Stronghold! Outstanding
climb going from chimney to handcrack to necky slab and face
climbing. Multiple runouts. For competent leaders
only at the grade! Route
Description.
Jimmywacky. 5.11d, 2 pitches. Mixed.
Excellent, committing climbing up the green arete to the left of
Days. Continue to the top via Endgame or Days.
Endgame.
5.10b, 5 pitches. Pitches 4-5 shown on this topo. The
first three pitches are on the End Pinnacle West Face topo.
NOTE: There are several additional routes on this face that have yet to be detailed on this topo.
------------------------------------
Mount Lemmon
Wall
of the
Trundling Trolls-
while this wall is not in Cochise Stronghold, it is one of the best
crags in Southern Arizona and should not be missed!
This topo details all but two of the bottom pitches; there are
still a few pitches that need to be added,
these are clearly marked. (It will be updated until it
exhaustively
details all the routes on the wall.) In combination with the
route descriptions on MountainProject.com, you'll be able to enjoy all
this amazing wall has to offer.
Toofast's PDF Topo
- Troll Wall Left
Side (updated 9/08) Toofast's Mobile Topo
Toofast's PDF
Topo - Troll Wall Right
Side (updated 8/10/08) Toofast's Mobile Topo
Further Stronghold Suggestions / Upcoming Topos
***Moby Dick. 5.8, 5
Pitches. Trad. Slab, chickenheads, face climbing,
awesome summit. Route
Description.
**The Wasteland.
5.8, 5 Pitches. Trad.
Wandery
route with complex descent. For competent leaders only at the
grade. Route
Description.
**Warpath. 5.9, 4
pitches. Trad. Runout
in places, tricky route finding and some tricky pro. Route
Description.
**Dreamscape
Buttress. 5.9, 5 pitches.
Trad. A very
nice climb with lots of face climbing and route finding. A
bit
bold. Route
Description.
***Mystery of the
Desert. 5.9, 5 pitches. Mixed,
about 40%
bolt protected. Fun, straightforward climbing. Route
Description.
***The
Climb Too Tough to Die. 5.10b, Mixed, about 60% bolt
protected.
***Warpaint. 5.10c,
5 pitches. Almost all bolts,
difficult
slab on very nice rock. A classic Stronghold climb.
A light
rack is needed for pitches 2 and 3. Route
Description.
Warning!
Dogs can't draw perfect topos!
Errors may exist in difficulty
ratings, availability of protection, bolt counts, number of housecats, etc. Rely
on
your experience and training, not these topos, for your safety.
By using this dog's topos, you agree
not to hold her (or her owner) responsible anything bad that
happens.
Toofast's
topos are undisputedly the best-quality canine-authored topos
for Cochise Stronghold.
Note that Toofast's
Topos are
constantly being upgraded for corrections, changes in
routes, new
variations, fleas, etc. If you downloaded a topo previously, check
the
date listed to the current topo to make sure you have the most
up-to-date version.
Want to suggest a climb to be included in Toofast's Topos?
Notice something that needs to be corrected? Use
the "contact" link above.
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