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East Face of Mt. Whitney - 5.6 popular

Average Rating = 4.59/5 Average Rating : 4.59 out of 5
Route sequence (left to right): 1
Route Summary | Ascent Notes (39)
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Rock
Alpine trad rack- plenty of nuts, a few cams.
Consensus Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure 4.59/5
  Rock Quality 4.29/5
  Scenery 4.82/5
  Fun Factor 4.71/5

Description:

Excellent! One of the fifty classics. Long, moderate route. Arduous hike in.

Submitted by: polarwid on 2003-02-05
Views: 5647
Route ID: 5909

Most Recent Photos (See all 6 photos)

39 Ascents Recorded

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Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating G
Onsight Onsight ascent by: critterdude542 on 2012-09-11 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars East face

I think it's in the 50 classics just cause of its history. A fun climb, but def. not the best in the area! i think we ended up pitching out about 3 pitches and the whole route took around 4 hours.

Added: 2012-09-11

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.7
  Safety Rating PG13
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Second Second ascent by: caprice11477 on 2012-07-26 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Just Awesome!

This is the most physcally demanding approach and climb I've done so far. The hike in was gruelling, but the scenery was beautiful. Camped at Iceburg Lake. We were up at 4am and out of camp by 5am. Aweseome climbing with some great exposure. Most difficult part of the climb was the traverse on the first pitch. Made the summit by 10am and back down to base camp by noon. We decided to hike out that day rather that camp another night. That was a long 15 hour day!! Breakfast at the Portal Store is quite unique. The pancake was the size of a 10-12 inch pizza. It was pretty yummy!!

Added: 2012-08-27

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.6
  Safety Rating PG13
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Second Second ascent by: MonkeySpank on 2012-08-12 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars Definitely a fun classic

Started climbing around 5am and hit summit around 11:30am to beat forecast, potential lightning storms. We just beat the rain, but heard some electrical activity on top, so we hightailed it to descend the Mountaineer's route in the rain (descent was not fun). The climb was great, though, with lots of fun exposure on very secure hand features the whole way. The traverse provides lots of varied views of the whole Eastern Sierra system. Many places where loose rock presents danger, especially on the MR descent.

Added: 2012-08-16

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.6
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: coryberkebile on 2012-04-29 (View Climbing Log)

4 out of 5 stars great route

Simulclimbed the route with a 30 meter rope. Worked out well with great weather on the summit. Not much gear is needed for the route. There is a lot of pitons and fixed gear along the way.

Added: 2012-05-04

Ratings
  Difficulty 5.6
  Safety Rating G
  Exposure
  Rock Quality
  Scenery
  Fun Factor
Onsight Onsight ascent by: andrea37 on 2011-08-30 (View Climbing Log)

5 out of 5 stars I said "yes"!

What an amazing day. Started out at day break. The hike from Upper Boy Scout to Iceberg sucked. Felt like it took forever, but maybe it was just anticipation. The "crux" to me was the hike/scramble from Iceberg to the start. It was so difficult and the altitude didn't help. Fun climbing, though. P1 felt more airy to me than the Fresh Air Traverse. Definitely simul-climb up to the second tower. The Grand Staircase was my favorite part--what a natural wonder. I led P2-4, P6, P9 & P12 (the last pitch). We unroped just before the summit and topped out together around 4pm. Doug proposed at the Summit! He carried a ring and a bottle of bourbon to celebrate! We wait for Jimmy and Gerry to top out off East Buttress and then head down the Mountaineer's Descent. There was still a large patch of ice down the gully but you can skirt it if you follow the cairned path to the climber's right. Down at Iceberg by 6:30ish and home at Upper Boy Scout just after sunset. There was only one other party climbing this route today and no one (other than Gerry/Jimmy) on East Buttress. My 4th 50 Classic Climb

Added: 2011-09-28

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