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The Granitica Festival is coming to Tucson this year. The Granitica festival is a celebration of local climbing sponsored by the North American Climbing History Archives, an organization founded by Steve Grossman. This years festival covers climbing in Cochise Stronghold in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

From Steve Grossman...

Oral history is the name of the game and we will collectively be trying to recall the adventures that make the Stronghold home to the proudest free climbs in southern Arizona.

The Saturday program will begin with a discussion of the first ascent of Don's Crack on Baboquivari by Joanna Coleman and Dan Jones during October 15-17, 1967. This was the first grand adventure climb taken on by the first generation of Tucson locals and Joanna and hopefully Don Morris (for whom the route is named) will reminisce about the experience along with Dave Baker and Merlin Wheeler who did the second ascent free in 1977 along with Mike McEwen.

Having set the stage historically discussion will then focus on the climbing history of the east and west Cochise Stronghold examined as per the program.

Many of the folks that made these routes possible will be on hand to share their experiences so it is a unique opportunity to meet them and hear many classic stories!

Saturday Program

• Baboquivari-Don's Crack Joanna Coleman and Don Morris, 1967 SA Dave Baker, Merlin Wheeler,1970 FFA Dave Baker and Mike McEwen 1971
• Saddle Pinnacles John Rupley and Fred Beckey 1960s(?)
• West Stronghold-The Tombstone Dark Shadows Peter Depagter and Larry Seligman, 1971(?)
• Cochise Dome- What's My Line Dave Baker, Peter Depagter and Larry Seligman, 1973 Direct Start Mike McEwen and Dave Baker 1970s(?)
• End Pinnacle-Cap'm Pissgums Dave Baker and Mark Axen 1972(?). FFA Steve Grossman and Fig Fiola 1975.
• Stronghold Dome-Beeline Merlin Wheeler and Mark Axen, 1972 Buck Traverse Steve Grossman and Tony Herr, 1983
• End Pinnacle- Days of Future Passed Dave Baker, Steve Grossman and Richard Thompson 1974
• West Stronghold-Warpath Dome-Warpath Smitty Husted, Karl Rickson and Pat McNerthy,1975
• Bastion Towers-Forest Lawn Mike McEwen, Gary Axen1975 Complete route Mike McEwen and Dave Baker,1976 Pair a Grins finish Eric Fazio-Rhicard and Michael Jimmerson, 1985
• Be All End All Dave Baker and Fig Fiola 1982 FFA Ray Ringle, Herb North and Tony Herr, 1983
• Chay Desa Tsay-As the Wind Cries Steve Grossman, John Steiger and Paul Davidson, 1979
• Rockfellow Dome- Devoid Steve Grossman and Fig Fiola, 1981(?)

Sunday Program

• Rockfellow Dome-Knead Me Dave Baker and Mike McEwen 1972
• Rockfellow Dome-Labyrinth Route Merlin Wheeler, Joanna Coleman Don Morris and Dave Baker, 1972
• Rockfellow Dome Abracadaver Mike McEwen, Dave Baker and Steve Grossman,1975 FFA Stan Mish, Jeff Bauman and Jon Williams
• Rockfellow Dome-The Sound of One Hand Thrashing(CTG) Chip Chace and Ray Ringle,1980
• Rockfellow Dome-Sensory Desuetude Chip Chace and Ray Ringle, 1980
• End Pinnacle- The Uncarved Block Chip Chace and Ray Ringle 1980(?)
• Cochise Dome- Let's Make a Deal Steve Grossman and Paul Davidson, 1981
• End Pinnacle-Poetry in Motion Steve Grossman and Brad Smith, 1982(?)
• Rockfellow Dome Lumpy Unmentionables Jim Waugh and Ray Ringle, 1984
• End Pinnacle-Great Gig in the Sky Steve Grossman and Jay Ladin,1983(?)
• Cochise Dome-Double Jeopardy Steve Grossman and Steve Amter, 1985(?)
• Stronghold Dome-Apache Tears Peter Noebels and Steve Grossman, 1986
• West Stronghold-Westworld Dome-Warpaint, Eric Fazio-Rhicard and Bob Kerry, 1989
• Rockfellow Group-Tour du Jour Dave Baker and Fig Fiola 1981

Prospective Speaker List

• Joanna Coleman
• Merlin Wheeler
• Don Morris
• Dave Baker
• Mike McEwen
• Mark Axen
• Gary Axen
• Peter Depagter
• Larry Seligman
• Steve Grossman
• Smitty Husted
• Eric Fazio-Ruhicard
• John Steiger
• Paul Davidson
• Ray Ringle
• Chip Chase
• Stan Mish
• Jeff Bauman
• Jon Williams
• Brad Smith
• Jay Ladin
• Bob Kerry