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Elevation: 9,200 ft
GPS: 37.22797, -118.59626
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 108,090 total · 508/month
Shared By: Darshan Ahluwalia on Sep 21, 2006
Admins: Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

A 400-500 foot granite crag nestled on a rocky mountainside in the foothills of the Sierras. The rock is granite and very clean. The routes are characterized by steep and exposed splitter crack climbing in one of the coolest locations near Bishop.

Getting There Suggest change

From downtown Bishop, take W. Line Street (rt. 168 west) towards the Sierras. After 20 miles or so, gaining substantial elevation, you'll come to the small community of Aspendell. The Pinnacle can be seen from here up on the left side of the road, perched on the mountainside about a half mile past Aspendell. Park below the talus on the side of the road.

Cardinal Pinnacle as seen from the road. Hike up the talus to approach but be careful: there is A LOT of loose rock. Photo by Kia Ravanfar.

20 Total Climbs

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Location: Cardinal Pinnacle Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Cardinal Pinnacle

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 21
Regular Route
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 14
Red Bush
Trad 3 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 363
West Face
Trad 4 pitches
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 36
Cucumbers
Trad 3 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 107
Crack Kingdom
Trad 4 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 110
V8 Crack
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 12
Shine or Whine
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 14
Bard-Harrington Finish
Trad
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 7
Cardinalidae
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 5
Artichoke Crack
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 9
Shadows of the Artichoke
Trad 4 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 25
The Prow
Trad 4 pitches
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 7
Cardinal Sin
Trad 4 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Regular Route
 21
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 3 pitches
Red Bush
 14
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 3 pitches
West Face
 363
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 4 pitches
Cucumbers
 36
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Trad 3 pitches
Crack Kingdom
 107
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 4 pitches
V8 Crack
 110
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Shine or Whine
 12
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Bard-Harrington Finish
 14
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Cardinalidae
 7
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Artichoke Crack
 5
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
Shadows of the Artichoke
 9
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad 4 pitches
The Prow
 25
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad 4 pitches
Cardinal Sin
 7
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad 4 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Cardinal Pinnacle »

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