Ascent Notes for: Mystery of the Desert - 5.9 Average Rating : 4.00/5

Excellent route. Most of the pitches are short so combining them is pretty easy. I found the Wedge and the layback crack as the most challanging leads. We did it 5 hrs round trip

With Larry from Los Alamos. My second Cochise climb after Absinthe. Led all the pitches. I liked this route more than Absinthe. Combined the 4th-6th pitches (as laid out here) with a 70m and extending my pro, watch for rope drag though. Did the new 7th pitch. It is much more challenging than the rest of the route. Not sure how many folks have led this yet, including the FA (bolted on rap), but it is a bit harder than 5.9. Worth doing for sure.

I placed gear from 0.3 to old-style 3.5 camalot, and maybe a stopper or two.

Thought that no one really did this route, but there was a crowd at the base when we returned. First pitch is a lot of fun, and the crux fourth pitch is a blast - much more difficult than it looks.

This route is ok. Can be done in two long pitches I think if you run it out - we did it in 3. The roof is pretty cool, good gear the whole way.

I usually hit the inevitable awaits you( .10a, .10b?) and then rap back down on the other side of "the wedge" and finish the climb. much cooler...

Route requires lots of varied climbing technique. I seconded with the exception of leading the interesting little OW section that goes up and over the crack between the wall and a large boulder--it looks like you can squeeze through the bottom instead but it's not really large enough. If you climb as far as you can with your rope, this route can easily be done in less than 4 pitches.

vey fun..my first climb at the cheese...we did it in four pitches..

Nice route...shady..start is R potentail...best to use the first two or three bolts on the route to the right..then hit the crack.... top out and enjoy a little oasis of pines in a huge bathtub....walk down and right and check out the window...great place to hang.... do it...

We did it in four pitches, pretty much as outlined in the Kerry topo (except my partner led the ramp to the left of the veg and the 1st half of the 5.9 "last" pitch as one pitch). All shaded if you start in the am. Worthwhile.