Suggestions: Alpine camping and climbing – 4 days in the Sierras

[Simon Weiss]

Hello Fellow UltraLighters,
I love lightweight backpacking, and over the last 1.5 years I've been cultivating a love for rock climbing. I've got some gear, some outdoor experience, and plenty of indoor experience. I've got a free long weekend in August coming up and I'd love some suggestions for trips/routs that allow me (and probably 3-5 other backpackers/climbers) to hike in, and scale a peak that requires at least some class 5 climbing. And expect some class 4 as well.

A loop is ideal, and alpine travel is a must. Though and out-and-back means we wouldn't have to schlep our tents/sleeping bags up a wall along with our climbing gear. Something above Tuolumne? In Kings Canyon? I'm in the Bay Area, so West Side of the sierras is preferred, but not a hard requirement.

Would, of course, to be able to rope-in, or not have too much sketchy climbing, even if its class 4. Some amount, I could tolerate.

Thank you!

[Bob Gross]

Mount Ritter has a one-day approach walk and then has routes from Class 3 to Class 5-something.

–B.G.–

[Simon Weiss]

Is there a particular climb that you like?
Starting to research… is it place your own protection? Probably not bolted, right? Will need a climbing partner who can place pro with confidence.

I'm not yet placing my own protection. My climbing is really limited to sport, but I will hopefully bring a friend who can place pro. Otherwise, I expect that would seriously limit my options. Right?

-s

[Bob Gross]

I've been up Ritter only once, by the classic route which is Class 3 from the saddle. But there are technical routes all around.

–B.G.–

[Anonymous]

If you can find someone who can lead 5.7, Cathedral Peak, just south of Tuolumne Meadows, is a classic with easy access.

[Simon Weiss]

Have acquired an amazing book that lists all the peaks in the sierras with the various approaches/routes, and their ratings. Will do some research and may come back for some familiar advice!

[Bob Gross]

One good thing about Cathedral Peak is that it is very easy for the park service to recover bodies there. That's partly due to the proximity to the road and also due to the runout of rock at the bottom.

–B.G.–

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