Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 7,337 ft
GPS: 37.454, -119.53599
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 142,724 total · 864/month
Shared By: Blitzo on Aug 24, 2010 · Updates
Admins: Cory B, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

Fresno Dome was known by the Mono Indians as "the greeting place" ("wah-me-yelo"). John Muir called it "Wamello", now mostly known as Fresno Dome which it is called on the USGS topo map.. Royal Robbins used this area as one of his locations for his Rockcraft School back in the 1970s and pioneered many routes. Most climbs range from 3 to 5 pitches in length. Some may be considered run out by today's standards. A number of shorter sport routes can be found on Zippity-Do-Dah Buttress and Panorama Wall. Willow Creek Wall has a number of bolted slab routes, up to 100 feet long. The Main Wall, South Face, West Face, and Hawk Dome offer multi pitch routes.

The rock is quality Sierra granite, ranging from smooth slab to steep features and chicken heads. Several cracks can also be found.

The 7,000 ft. elevation keeps this area fairly cool in summer. Summer and Fall are generally the best times to climb here.

Climbers have been climbing and guiding here for decades and there are still no crowds. I seriously doubt that a guidebook or this post will increase impact, besides wouldn't you rather go to Yosemite?

Getting There Suggest change

From the town of Oakhurst drive north on Highway 41. About 1/2 mile after you pass the Bass Lake turnoff, turn right on Sky Ranch Road (road 632). Follow this (lots of pot holes, some dirt) for approximately 16 miles (past Fresno Dome campground) until you see the large Fresno Dome trailhead parking sign on your right.

112 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Fresno Dome (Wamello) Area Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Fresno Dome (Wamello) Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13
 27
Whiskey Bill
Trad 5 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 39
South Pillar
Trad 4 pitches
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 8
EZX
Trad
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 5
Bumping Heads
Sport 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 11
Guides in a Snowbank
Sport 4 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 8
Breakthrough and Conquer (aka We…
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 7
Talking Smackheads
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 9
Poking Papa Bear
Trad 6 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 7
Kung Fu Down Under
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 6
Turkey Time
Sport 4 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 9
OB/GYN
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 5
More Core
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 5
Omicron
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 5
Thermodynamics
Sport 3 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 5
Snow Way
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Whiskey Bill Fresno Dome > e. "South" Face
 27
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 Trad 5 pitches
South Pillar Fresno Dome > e. "South" Face
 39
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
EZX Fresno Dome > e. "South" Face
 8
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Trad
Bumping Heads Fresno Dome > h. W Face
 5
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Sport 2 pitches
Guides in a Snowbank Fresno Dome > c. Main Wall
 11
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport 4 pitches
Breakthrough and Conquer (a… Fresno Dome > b. Zippity-Do-Dah But…
 8
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Talking Smackheads Fresno Dome > h. W Face
 7
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Poking Papa Bear Fresno Dome > e. "South" Face
 9
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 6 pitches
Kung Fu Down Under Fresno Dome > j. Hawk Dome > Main Wall
 7
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Turkey Time Fresno Dome > h. W Face
 6
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport 4 pitches
OB/GYN Fresno Dome > j. Hawk Dome > Main Wall
 9
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
More Core Enchanted Rock
 5
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Omicron Fresno Dome > h. W Face
 5
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Thermodynamics Fresno Dome > h. W Face
 5
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport 3 pitches
Snow Way Fresno Dome > h. W Face
 5
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Fresno Dome (Wamello) Area »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading