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The Rostrum

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North Face, The 
the Notch Route 


The Rostrum

Submitted By: Josh Janes on Sep 23, 2006
Administrator: Greg Opland
Latitude: 37.7187  Longitude: -119.7079 
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View from atop the Rostrum.


Description 

The Rostrum is a beautiful pillar of gray rock with sheer orange sections and beautiful crack systems. It is visable directly across from the Reed's Pinnacle area and is distinguishable by it's blocky summit. The climb to do is the North Face (11c), commonly called "The Rostrum," but also Blind Faith -- a burly crack system to the right, and the Kaukulator -- a short climb near the halfway ledge of the formation.

The Rostrum faces north and is a great shady spot in the summer heat.


Getting There 

Take HWY 41 out of the Valley and follow it through a tunnel and on to a long stretch of stone wall. Park at the pullout along this wall or at a dirt pullout just past it. The descent trail begins at the west end of the wall and descends directly to the summit area, and then skirts steeply down the west side of the formation. The halfway ledge is visible through the trees, and shortly thereafter a series of three single-rope rappels takes you to the base. It would also be possible to approach via HWY 140 from the vicinity of the Generator Crack area.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Rostrum:
The North Face   5.11c     Trad, 8 pitches   
Browse More Classics in The Rostrum

Featured Route For The Rostrum
TRing the Alian Finish

The North Face 5.11c  CA : Yosemite National Park : ... : The Rostrum
The Rostrum is a truly rad climb. Every pitch is high quality and would be sought after individual classics were they at any crag, but stacked on top of each other they create a superb and memorable challenge. The climbing is secure, well protected, and physical. Park at the pullout along the stone wall, or just past it at a dirt pullout. Follow the trail(which begins just west of the stone wall) down past some slabs and on to an obvious rapp...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA


Photos of The Rostrum Slideshow Add Photo
The Rostrum.<br />Photo by Blitzo.

The Rostrum.
Photo by Blitzo.


The Rostrum as seen from the Merced river

BETA PHOTO: The Rostrum as seen from the Merced river

Darshan throws the rope of the top of the Rostrum

Darshan throws the rope of the top of the Rostrum

The Rostrum, Yosemite Valley.

The Rostrum, Yosemite Valley.

Skip barefoot on The Alien, Rostrum Direct finish, photo: Bob Horan Collection.

Skip barefoot on The Alien, Rostrum Direct finish,...

Alex Abzug on the Rostrum tyrolean

Alex Abzug on the Rostrum tyrolean

Check with the park about the seasonal raptor closure on the Rostrum.

Check with the park about the seasonal raptor clos...

Matthew Fienup on the very exposed Notch Route, the Rostrum.

Matthew Fienup on the very exposed Notch Route, th...

Michael McKay on the Rostrum tyrolean.

Michael McKay on the Rostrum tyrolean.

The Offwidth pitch on the North Face of the Rostrum<br />photo by Darshan Ahluwalia<br />

The Offwidth pitch on the North Face of the Rostru...

The roof moves on the Excellent Adventure<br />Photo by Darshan Ahluwalia<br />

The roof moves on the Excellent Adventure
Photo by...



Comments on The Rostrum Add Comment
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By Sergio P
From: Idaho Springs, CO
Jun 24, 2007

There are seasonal closings for bird nesting in spring to early summer.