Obsession Area

Drive about 25 miles north from Houghton on US-41. Drive past the south end of Cliff Drive (just north of Ahmeek). The north end of Cliff Drive is just south of Phoenix. Park 0.5 miles south on Cliff Drive near a narrow wooden bridge (it often disappears in the spring). Obsession is the most obvious crag, a prominent nose protruding from the trees. The follow the trail along the edge of the tailings (leftish), through a few trees, then up the left edge of a talings slope. Near the top, the trail breaks left along the face of a crag climbing a shallow gully. Just before the gully, a little used trails heads south along the lower slabs. Beware of poison ivy near the bottom of the main Obsession area. Otherwise, continue up the gully and head south along the ridge until a clear rock promontory is reached. Most climbs are reached by rappel.

Superior Slab on the main Obession face was my first climb.

From left to right: Ed, Teresa, Ted, AJ, and Becky.
Ed, AJ, and I took up climbing at the same time. Ed was a regular partner until he graduated and moved south.

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AJ on the lower ramp of Superior Slab (5.4). I'm sitting at the top belaying, Ed is waiting his turn at the bottom.

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Teresa just after making the crux transition from the ramp to the face.

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Ed climbing under the overhang (the route continues up the face just to the left of the overhang).

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This climb was another dave "adventure". Matt and I thought we'd brave the poison ivy and climb Obsession (5.7) from the ground up rather than rappelling down to a ledge 30' off the ground. We dodged the poison ivy, and Matt volunteered to lead the first mossy pitch. Since the climb is easier than what we usually climbed, we climbed with full packs and in hiking boots. It seemed like a good idea at the time. As I lead in into the overhanging section with my last piece having fallen out, I thought maybe it wasn't such a bright thought. On the positive side, I didn't have to second in the rain. Unfortuantely, this picture was double exposed.

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