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Fishhook Arete - 5.8 popular

Average Rating = 4.82/5 Average Rating : 4.82 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 1
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (27)
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Consensus Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure 4.60/5
  Rock Quality 4.67/5
  Scenery 4.94/5
  Fun Factor 4.81/5

Description:

Follows the obvious arete to the right side of the west summit. Described as the most beautiful route on the mountain and one of the most popular.

Submitted by: polarwid on 2003-02-05
Views: 2935
Route ID: 13574

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27 Ascents Recorded

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Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9
  Safety Rating G
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: critterdude542 on 2012-09-11 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars fishhook arete

This route was sweet!! great rock, a little hard to stay on route on parts. the downclimb into the notch seemed MUCH easier on the east side instead of the wide crack. Great route!

Added: 2012-09-11

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: douglaskinsman on 2011-09-01 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Awesome

Great route and you can combine pitches to always be in the sun. I sure as hell didn't find a 5.8 way, pitches 1 and 3 felt 5.9 although you could probably find a way around the difficulties. Did a flaring crack on pitch 7 that was more towards 10- but I think we had gotten off route. If your second isn't solid with wide cracks bring a #4 for the 5.8 downclimb. Savor the exposure!

Added: 2011-09-04

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: shong on 2009-08-30 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Spectacular arete; freezing cold

You can see this beautiful, distinct, golden J-shaped line from the top of Whitney - it's exciting! Even though we timed it to get to the base with sun, it was still extremely cold all day, due to the wind. The cruxes were short and felt easier than 5.9 to me (except maybe the 2nd crux - there are 3, according to SuperTopo - was awkward), but I was just so glad to be moving and climbing on that gorgeous rock. A spectacular finish to the John Muir Trail!!!

Added: 2009-10-15

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9
  Safety Rating G
Onsight Onsight ascent by: amax on 2009-09-26 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars on-sight

Car-to-Car with Matt and Jasmine. Matt and I alternated the leads and he got the odd pitches.

Beautiful line - fun and exposed climbing on a very clean, solid rock. I am surprised with rc 5.8 rating because some sections of Fishhook Arete are definitely harder than 5.8 even by orthodox standards.

Added: 2009-09-27

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.9
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: chugar on 2009-08-30 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Inspiring route

One look at the Fishhook Arete from the summit of Whitney and you are almost drawn to it. We packed into Iceburg Lake Friday, climbed Whitney EF Sat, and then climbed Fishhook Sun. Other than maybe two short sections of 5.8/9 the climbing was fun and pretty straightforward as shown on the topo. Climbed with Jason.

Added: 2009-09-04

... Read all 27 ascent notes