Baboquivari Peak, Various Ascents. In March, I soloed a new route on the east face of Baboquivari Peak. Freak of Nature (VI 5.10 A5a) starts 40 feet left of Cradle of Stone and climbs straight up a blankish golden wall left of the black water streak in the center the face. The fifth pitch (A5a) has 22 A3/A4 placements in a row, producing a 45- to 50-foot runout. The route finishes with a 5.10 A2+ variation to the Spring Route aid comer. Pasted quarter-inch aluminum heads protect 5.10 face climbing. No bolts were drilled and all free climbing was led free onsight.

Jim Beyer