Crag features

This is a huge and impressive mountain in the Palisades region of the High Sierra hosting a collection of long moderate rock climbs which mostly follow the striking aretes that form this mountain. Up close, the mountain is not quite as solid as it appears from afar with slightly less good rock quality than is typical for the High Sierra. Nevertheless, while there is plenty of loose rock around, the well travelled lines are reasonably solid. Descent for all climbs is via Contact Pass and involves a couple of short rappels and plenty of unstable scree.

The routes are between 300m-650m in length and all are approached via the North Fork of Big Pine Creek. The trailhead is accessed by taking the Glacier Lodge Road west out of Big Pine (15 miles south of Bishop on Hwy 395). Follow the hiking trail until Second or Third Lake and then pick up climber use trails to the crag. In early season a snow field guards the approach to all the climbs and crampons and/or an ice axe may be useful. In later season it is usually possible to approach the climbs avoiding snow travel. Many parties do these routes car-to-car, but bivvying, either at 2nd or 3rd Lake, or at the base of the crag, is also an option. The whole region is beautiful and it is worth spending time in.