Aquagomy is a very acessible group of climbs along the road up Kitt Peak. What you do is to drive West from Tucson towards Sells, drive through 3 points, and after you pass the north end of the Quinlans (nice views of granite spires to the south), you turn south onto the road up Kitt Peak. About 5 miles or so up the road you will see some big granite slabs to the left (and from the road a nice view of the 4 meter telescope looming above at the top of the ridge).

Park wherever you can, and hike up the drainage leading to the slabs. The approach is maybe a mile long, with some bushwacking and bypassing of boulders and cliffs along the way. Also, watch for poison ivy, there are some big areas of it. Eventually you arrive at the base of the slabs. Since the road get closed and the gate locked at around 4PM, you will want to be off the climbs and hiking down by 3PM or so. Be aware that you are on Indian reservation land here, and could be hassled by the tribal police.

Check the backcountry guidebook for the route descriptions. All I want to do here is add a bit of cautionary information. Many years ago, (like in the 1970's), I did almost all the routes here, but now some are hard to find and rather dangerous. In the spring of 2002 we did the 5.6 route and kicked off two big loose flakes on the way up to the tiny pine tree. A good friend did the 5.8 climb (it used to be a line of 3 bolts on the second pitch). You won't see the bolts because time has taken it's toll and he simply pulled them out of their holes with his fingers! Be warned and don't cruise up any of these routes expecting fixed gear. Until some of these routes get rebolted, they are extremely serious solo ventures. The 5.9 off on the left is said to protect OK with just gear, but the description mentions a bolt above what sounds like the crux, so be wary.


Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's Rock Climbing Info / ttrebisky@as.arizona.edu