Alpine Rock Climbs
The Sierra is famous for its alpine rock climbing on firm white granite in exhilarating settings. Our staff has over 100 years of combined experience in the Sierra and can knowledgably guide trips anywhere in this great mountain range.
Scheduled here are a few of our favorite and most popular backcountry alpine rock climbs. These are not only a sampling of the Sierra’s finest, but are some of the most superb alpine rock climbs found anywhere.
All trips can be booked on custom dates too. Refer to our private climbs for rates.
The climbing possibilities in the Sierra are extensive. If you are looking for something you do not see listed or want some more ideas, do not hesitate to contact our office!
Crystal Crag
1 Day
Elevation 10,364 feet, 3159m
Difficulty rating: 5.7
Beginner
Located above the town of Mammoth Lakes is Crystal Crag. This mountain is named for a huge vein of crystal that runs through it. Our route crosses over this impressive rock formation. The climb is five pitches with many 3rd class moves interspersing 5th class sections. The climb finishes with an enjoyable ridge traverse high above many lakes and pine trees surrounded by the Mammoth Crest.
Cost:
$220 per person
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Mt. Conness
1 Day
Elevation 12,590 feet, 3829m
Difficulty rating: 5.6
Beginner
This enjoyable climb is located above Tuolumne Meadows near the boundary with Yosemite National Park. It is a wonderful one day climb in an alpine setting with tremendous views throughout.
Mt. Dana, Third Pillar
1 Day
Elevation 11,500 feet, 3505m
Difficulty rating: 5.10b
Advanced
Along the east side of the Dana Plateau is a striking buttress of rock with one of the all time classic Sierra alpine routes. The route is normally done in 6 pitches. The first pitch is 5.7 and each pitch gets progressively more difficult all the way to the final moves that top out on the plateau. This climb has great views of Mono Lake throughout.
Cost:
$280 per person
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Bear Creek Spire, North Aręte
2 Days
Elevation 13,713 feet, 4179m
Difficulty rating: 5.8
Intermediate
This route offers varied climbing techniques over 10 pitches of good quality granite. The climbing starts out on a ledge that quickly leads to some of the most strenuous moves. Several more moderate pitches lead us to the NE Ridge, which traverses a couple moderately exposed 4th class pitches to it’s lofty summit.
Cost:
$440.00 per person, with a minimum of two people
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Lone Pine Peak, North Ridge
3 Days
Elevation 12,944 feet, 3945m
Difficulty rating: 5.4
Beginner
Lone Pine Peak is 12,944 feet. The North Ridge is an excellent introduction to alpine climbing. It is long, has one section of easy but exposed climbing, and interspersed between sections of Class 3 are many pitches of fun 5th Class rock climbing.
Cost:
$675 per person
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Mt. Sill, Swiss Aręte
3 Days
Elevation 14,162 feet, 4316m
Difficulty rating: 5.7
Intermediate
Mt. Sill is a gem in the Palisades region. It is located next to North Palisade Peak above the Palisade Glacier. It is considered by many Sierra veterans to have the finest view of any peak in this impressive mountain range. The Paiute Indians, who have inhabited the Owens Valley for thousands of years, call this peak Nee-na-mee-shee. Translated this means The Guardian of the Valley.
The Swiss Aręte is an enjoyable eight-pitch rock climb. The approach takes us up the left side of the Palisade Glacier to Glacier Notch and the base of the climb. The route begins with some moderate fifth class climbing before reaching the crux sections. The climbing is aesthetically fun and finishes with a low fifth class pitch that leads to the summit.
Cost:
$675 per person
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Charlotte Dome
3 Days
Elevation 10,690 feet, 3258m
Difficulty rating: 5.8
Beginner – Intermediate
Charlotte Dome is located deep in the Sierra. It is approached via a 12 mile trail and cross-country route over Kearsarge Pass into Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park. The approach is exemplary of the unlimited scenic backpacking possibilities in the Sierra. The climb is about nine pitches long depending on variations taken.
Cost:
$675 per person
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Mt. Russell, Fishhook Aręte
3 Days
Elevation 14,086 feet, 4293m
Difficulty rating: 5.8
Intermediate
Mt. Russell is located next to Mt. Whitney. Although overshadowed by its more popular neighbor it offers climbs that are every bit as aesthetically beautiful, with a lot fewer people. Four pitches of clean granite climbing rated between 5.7 and 5.8 take us on to a face where the views get increasingly more spectacular. We continue along the aręte up four more pitches of cracks systems, a small chimney, and some face climbing to its summit. This climb is one of the all time Sierra classics.
Cost:
$690 per person
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Temple Crag: 4 Arętes
3 Days
Elevation 12,999 feet, 3962m
Difficulty rating: see below
Beginner through Advanced
Eclipsed Aręte
5.3, 14 pitches
Low Intermediate
Venusian Blind Aręte
5.7, 15 pitches
Intermediate
Moon Goddess Aręte
5.8, 17 pitches
Intermediate
Sun Ribbon Aręte
5.9, 21 pitches
Advanced
Temple Crag has four prominent arętes decorating its East Face. Each offer long memorable climbs with difficulty ratings for all skill levels. The backdrop is the entire basin of the North Fork of Big Pine Creek offering amazing views of glacial formed lakes, pine trees, and other high peaks in the Palisades. With the combination of techniques used, the length, and surroundings these climbs offer a real sense of accomplishment and are some of our favorites in the Sierra.
The Eclipsed Aręte is an excellent introduction to long alpine rock climbing. The granite is good quality and there is moderate exposure throughout.
The Venusian Blind Aręte is a step up in difficulty and length. This aesthetically fun climb includes the opportunity to negotiate two large towers in the middle of the aręte.
The Moon Goddess Aręte is a fabulous route that begins with a few low fifth class pitches offering a chance to “warm up”. The exposure then increases dramatically as we encounter more difficult climbing rated at 5.8. Each pitch has its own unique challenges requiring different rock climbing skills from stemming to traversing and there are excellent belay ledges throughout.
The Sun Ribbon Aręte is a long technically demanding climb requiring climbers to be comfortable with crack and face climbing techniques, lots of exposure, and to have good stamina. This long aręte offers lots of exposure and traverses around several large gendarmes in addition to crack and face climbing.
Cost:
$675 per person, $880 per person for two climbs
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Keeler Needle
3 Days
Elevation 14,240+ feet, 4340+m
Difficulty rating: 5.10c
Advanced
Located immediately south of Mt. Whitney is Keeler Needle. This 15 pitch route has long been a test piece in the Sierra. It is sustained and strenuous, but for the prepared climber it is a great challenge. It requires climbers to be capable of climbing 5.10 off width cracks and long sustained pitches of 5.9. Chimneys, hand cracks, stemming, and delicate face climbing are encountered. We start at the base of the climb wearing headlamps and complete the route in one day. This climb requires a high level of commitment from start to finish. We are proud to offer this climb to our past clientele.
Cost:
Dates:
Contact SMI for dates
Sierra Mountaineering International is an authorized mountaineering guide service operating in partnership under special use permit with the Inyo National Forest, Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and other agencies where applicable.
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