Central Pillar of Frenzy
5.9 YDS 5c French 17 Ewbanks VI UIAA 17 ZA HVS 5a British
Avg: 3.8 from 1,061 votes
Type: | Trad, 500 ft (152 m), 5 pitches |
FA: | Jim Bridwell, Roger Breedlove, Dale Bard, 1973 |
Page Views: | 90,363 total · 422/month |
Shared By: | Josh Janes on Sep 21, 2006 · Updates |
Admins: | Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes |
Yosemite National Park has yearly closures for Peregrine Falcon Protection March 1- July 15. Always check the NPS website at nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/… for the most current details and park alerts, and to learn more about the peregrine falcon, and how closures help it survive. This page also shares closures and warnings due to current fires, smoke, etc.
Description
Central Pillar of Frenzy is a super-popular line up the obvious pillar on the lefthand side of Middle Cathedral's northeast face. There are almost always several parties on, or in line for, this climb because of it's excellent, though perhaps never outstanding, five pitches of sustained crack climbing. The climb is actually nine pitches, but does anyone bother with the last four?
P1: Begin in a right-facing corner on the right side of the pillar. Climb this slick corner to a final difficult move pulling onto the pillar itself. Belay at bolts. This pitch is the crux and is 5.9.
P2: Head left and up a great 5.9 finger crack system to another bolted belay.
P3: Continue up through a 5.8 roof and then up a 5.8 OW to another belay. This pitch and the next are probably the best on the route -- save a bigger cam for above the roof.
P4: Climb sweet twin cracks up to another bolted belay. 5.8.
P5: Continue up one more pitch (beginning with a chimney) of nice cracks to a final belay. 5.9.
Rap with double ropes down across the face (not over the route) to climber's left. Another double rope rappel brings you to an anchor on the left-hand arete of the pillar, over Bircheff-Williams (The Great Wazoo belay). Continue with double rope raps down the left-facing corner on the left side of the pillar. A 70 meter rope works, but at the third rappel station you must head down climber's right and find an intermediate anchor on the arete. It's marked 190 feet from the ground on the topo.
Do not leave food in your packs -- the bears know.
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