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Elevation: 5,546 ft 1,690 m
GPS: 37.71439, -119.63469
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Page Views: 101,559 total · 445/month
Shared By: Josh Janes on Jun 15, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
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Description Suggest change

Higher Cathedral Rock is a beautiful, large formation perched uphill from Middle Cathedral. Although it's a bit of an uphill hike to get to, compared to some other routes in the Valley, the lack of other climbers, and the views are well worth the hoof. The two most popular routes on HCR are probably the NE Buttress (5.9), a long and varied route often described as the "best 5.9 in the Valley", and Braille Book (5.8), a really nice moderate six-pitch route on the left side of the formation.

Getting There Suggest change

Higher Cathedral Rock is the leftmost of the three Cathedral Rocks, found just south across the valley from El Capitan.

17 Total Climbs

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Location: 5. Higher Cathedral Rock Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Higher Cathedral Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 12
The Sequel
Trad 3 pitches
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 306
Braille Book
Trad 6 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13
 312
Northeast Buttress
Trad 11 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 42
Book of Job
Trad 6 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 4
Blinded by the Light
Trad 4 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 4
Remain in Light
Trad 4 pitches
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 15
Mary's Tears
Trad 4 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a R
 4
Perfect Vision
Trad 5 pitches
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 13
The Last Crusade
Trad 6 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 32
The Crucifix
Trad 5 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Sequel
 12
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 3 pitches
Braille Book
 306
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 6 pitches
Northeast Buttress
 312
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13 Trad 11 pitches
Book of Job
 42
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
Blinded by the Light
 4
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 4 pitches
Remain in Light
 4
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 4 pitches
Mary's Tears
 15
5.11a/b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 4 pitches
Perfect Vision
 4
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a R Trad 5 pitches
The Last Crusade
 13
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad 6 pitches
The Crucifix
 32
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Trad 5 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Higher Cathedral Rock »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Routes Mostly Face: Southeast
Sunny Roughly 7am to 2pm during high season
6am
8pm

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