Summit Blocks - West

BETA PHOTO: West Summit Blocks on Bishop Peak. [[Get Back Lor...

Description 

Bishop Peak has 3 separate summit blocks. As you hike up the main trail to the top of the peak, they are (R to L) the East (Main) Block, the Middle (True Summit) Block, and the West Block. While the East Block saw route activity as early as 1970 by Rusty Garing and friends (Flakes to Fresno being the most notable line), the West Block was overlooked until recently.

A half dozen new routes were put up in the spring of 2005 by Ken Klis, Tom Slater, and Mike Morley, ranging from 5.10c to 5.12. Get Back Loretta (5.11c) and Edgeucation [sic] (5.11a) are the standouts of the bunch. Routes are about 40' high. Bring a light rack to supplement bolts for protection if leading.

Slater's new guidebook, due to be out in March, will have route descriptions and photos.

Getting There 

Follow the main hiking trail to the summit of Bishop Peak. At the "saddle", make your way west (left) to the farthest cluster with the black "cave" at the base. Get Back Loretta ascends the leftside corner.

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