m
CATHEDRAL PEAK


Pictures from the ascent of Cathedral Peak (Yosemite National Park, CA)

via the Southeast Buttress (II, 5.7), with David Victor
July 20, 2006

 

Timeline of the climb

 

5:30 am

Take-off from Palo Alto airport.

6:30 am

Land in Mammoth Lakes airport.

8:00 am

Depart from Cathedral Lakes trailhead (approach through Budd Creek).

9:05 am

Arrive at the base of the Southeast Buttress.

9:30 am

Climb begins.

12:20 pm

Summit of Cathedral Peak.

2:15 pm

m

Arrive back on the trail (return through JMT / Cathedral Lakes Trail), after descending the benches below Eichorn Pinnacle's West Pillar. Rain, hail and thunder start shortly before we reach the trail.

3:10 pm

Arrive back at the car.

3:30 pm

Lunch at Whoa Nellie Deli

5:45 pm

Take-off from Mammoth Lakes airport

6:45 pm

Land in Palo Alto airport.

 

Description of the climb

 

Pitch #

On lead

Rating

Length

Description

1

David

5.4

100 ft

5.4 knobs and flakes on right side of buttress. Half rope length pitch.

2

Romain

5.6

190 ft

5.6 to a hard (but avoidable by moving right) slab move and a nice belay ledge in the center of the buttress. Used all of the 60m rope...

3

Romain

5.5

130 ft

Blocky climbing to a narrow ledge.

4

Romain

5.7

145 ft

Face climbing, then golden knobs on face (5.7) on the left side of the buttress, and an easy but fun arête climb above to a huge ledge.

5

Romain

5.7

130 ft

Stayed to the left side of the buttress. Nice offwidth / lieback crack in center of face to blocks to summit.

 

(Click image for larger view)


1. Flying over the Sierra, around 6 am.


2. On the approach hike.


3. The Southeast Buttress as we approach.

4. Getting ready to start the climb. (David Victor photo)


5. A visitor.

6. Looking for food, surely...


7. David leading pitch 1.

8. David leading pitch 1.

9. From the top of pitch 2.


10. Budd Lake and Cockscomb.

11. Tuolumne Meadows and Lembert Dome.


12. A climber (named Laurel) on pitch 4.


13. From the top of pitch 3.

14. Leading pitch 4. (David Victor photo)

15. Leading pitch 4. (David Victor photo)


16. Leading pitch 4. (David Victor photo)


17. David approaches the summit block.


18. David approaches the summit block (2).

19. On the summit, belaying. (David Victor photo)

20. Eichorn Pinnacle. (David Victor photo)


21. On the summit. (David Victor photo)


22. David on the summit.


23. Eichorn Pinnacle from the summit


24. Fairview Dome and Tuolumne Meadows

25. 3rd and 4th class descent slabs


26. The storm is gathering.


27. Skirting the South flank of Cathedral Peak


28. The Southeast Buttress in the gathering storm.


29. David.


30. Stormy weather, but still sunny...


31. Me.


32. Me (2)


33. West Pillar of Eichorn Pinnacle (5.9)

34. West Pillar of Eichorn Pinnacle (5.9)

35. Back at Mammoth Airport after lunch at Whoa Nellie Deli

36. David's plane.

m


37. Boarding.

38. In the cockpit

39. Flying through the storm.

40. Flight instruments.

41. Gathering elevation to cross the Sierra Nevada.

42. Flying through the storm.

Back to Main Page