On Sunday afternoon, April 7, Matthias Stender and I left Orange Butte and drove south and east towards the Chiricahua Mountains. We joined Andy Martin at a primitive campsite in Wood Canyon.
Here I first met Andy, a prolific peakbagger with decades of experience in and knowledge of the mountains. Recently Andy pointed out to Matthias that Matthias has been the most active hiker in Arizona in recent years according to how peakbaggers track these things. Andy and Matthias are much more serious peakbaggers than me. The three of us spent an enjoyable evening together and a pleasant night beneath Dunn Springs Mountain, our next day’s goal.
Dunn Springs Mountain lies in the northern Chiricahua Mountains of Southern Arizona. This mountain has 1305 feet of topographic prominence and is visible from nearby Interstate Highway 10. It has been on my “wish list” since Matthias, Scott Peavy, and I climbed nearby Wood Mountain in March 2021. I was glad to have the opportunity to share the peak with Matthias and Andy.
Monday morning, April 8, Andy left camp ahead of us, expecting us to catch him on the ascent. Matthias slept in a bit and I enjoyed my usual camp breakfast and fresh coffee. Eventually we followed Andy into the brush and hoped for more open slopes higher.
We climbed into an open basin to the west of the peak, then turned southeast to climb towards a saddle on a west ridge leading to the summit. After some good progress we were slowed down on a steep and brushy slope. As we approached the saddle Matthias could see Andy high on the ridge above us.
Low on the ridge we maneuvered around thorny brush as needed. Higher, the ridge became more open and travel was easier.
I enjoyed the views as we climbed, especially of Cochise Head above us to the south. I remembered how Michael Berry and I climbed Cochise Head on a long day in April 2017. Near the summit we passed through a short cliff band. We found Andy waiting for us on the summit at mid morning. At least he had not been waiting long.
We added our entries to the summit registry and relaxed. I enjoyed the views of the Chiricahua Mountains to the south and west and more distant ranges and peaks to the north and east.
I enjoyed listening to Matthias and Andy describing and comparing some of their peakbagging experiences. After a relaxing stay on the summit the three of us started our descent together.
We descended the ridge west towards Wood Mountain. I paused for photos of nearby peaks and an Arizona Hedgehog Cactus decorating the ridge. The daylight started to change as the eclipse approached its maximum. Matthias and I took turns doubling up our sunglasses and risking a quick glance at the sun. We each noted a bite taken out of it. I think I did that twice on the descent and that was enough risk for my precious eyes.
From the saddle we descended steeply through brush to the basin below. The partial eclipse was near its maximum. I thought the intensity of the daylight might be (very) roughly comparable to that at noon on Mars. There was a coolness in the breeze. The experience was a little eerie, but enjoyable.
The three of us returned to our campsite. We packed up at our own speeds and we said our goodbyes. Whenever I see a summit registry entry of Andy’s I will have a fond memory of my experience climbing Dunn Springs Mountain with him and Matthias under a partial eclipse.
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