Why do they call it rappel rock anyway? it's a walk off!

I am not sure the name of this route - it is a steep down hike from the parking area near the top of the ski lift. Starts with a big slanted chimney, pretty tight and filthy. This is the bottom of a sudden waterfall when the rain hits. Stay away if you think it might... Rob is setting protection on something unseen in this photo, by metrozen.

Rob Stevens two minutes into the second of a five pitch route, the name of which I do not know. The approach runs about a mile from the parking area above the ski lift, down the jeep track and through a lot of old burn/new growth below the ranger station. The route starts with a massive offwidth. This photo was taken less than two minutes before the skies opened and turned the route into a runoff. 20 minutes of frigid soaking exposure. We rapped the heck off after the torrent subsided. Labor day '04, photo by D. Geoffrion

I thought it was great to only have climbed one pitch, but still get this view!

I was neatly tucked into the best notch and this was what I was forced to look at while belaying (a camelback makes for good padding to lean against)! Tough day.

The last 2 pitches of Standard Route go over these chickenheads, I couldn't resist going on lead for this.

We opted to climb this crack (Bender Axen) then link to Standard Route the rest of the way. Some exciting stuff!

It was one of those days you might take for granted - perfect weather, perfect climbing, perfect partners.

Andria cruised this five-pitch route so easily, even though she had fewer than a half-dozen trad leads under her belt, a week later she went back and led the whole thing.

It's funny - how you'll never forget a special day you spent with a beloved friend who has died.

And this was one of those days. {sigh}

I can't remember the name of this route - it started out with a 5.8 crack, and got progressively easier as we climbed higher.

I led the first pitch, and after an interlude at the first belay, she led the second pitch. The route was about four or five pitches high, and we simulclimbed the last few.

The rock was magnificently bumpy!

Andria and I enjoyed a beautiful day at Rappel Rock, high on the Summit Crags of Mt. Lemmon.

I can't remember if we made it down in time to hit the pie shop.....

This is my friend, Andria Ligas [cragchica] the day we climbed together on Rappel Rock of Mount Lemmon, the day she led her first multi-pitch trad route with her Wall Doctor not in the lead, but rather as her second.

Her heart is even more beautiful than her smile.

In this photo she is wearing her beloved outfit, her "Andria Suit" as I called it. Like my crab, this outfit was Andria's trademark.

This photo appears in the accident report in the Arizona Daily Star.

Another photo of her is here.

This is Andria at her best - in the crags ready to push her limits, ready to get scared, but unwilling to quit. This was the day she led her first multi-pitch trad climb. Just look at the joy in her face!

I miss my friend so very very much. Please click here to celebrate the life of Andria. Thank you.

This is a beautiful route (Bender-Axen, 5.8) on Rappel Rock. First time back after a broken hand and three months of AZ fires, what a beautiful day, and a great way to jump back in to things!

Fun crack moves on this route. The crux comes in the first 15 feet with the rest of the climbing being pretty easy.