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Fifi Buttress

California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Valley S Side > Q. Leaning Tower Area
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Description

Fifi Buttress is the large formation directly to the west of the leaning tower. It is home to a multitude of free and aid routes from seven to ten pitches in lenght. There are even some one to two pitch free routes at the base.

In the late fall and winter time this area gets all day shade. For a good part of the year it gets afternoon sun around 1:30 or 2pm similar to the Leaning Tower

Getting There

Park in the Bridalveil Fall parking lot. Hike out from the south side of the lot. (To the right of the bathrooms). Head into the trees staying right/west of the talus feild. You should pick up a climber trail fairly quickly. Follow this as it gains elevation and eventually joins with a stream bed. Follow the stream bed until you see a large boulder on the left. Take the right side of the stream bed up a hill and then cut back across the drainage to the base of the wall. There is a large ramp, mostly 3rd class that cuts across the wall. This will lead to The Vortex, Romuland Freebird, Final Frontier and other routes.

Approach takes about 45 mintues.

Routes from Left to Right

5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 36
Bird of Prey
Trad 7 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 21
More Burly than Girly
Sport
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 1
More Girly than Burly
Trad
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 218
Center of the Universe
Trad 13 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 311
Voyager
Trad 7 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A4
 1
Make It So
Trad, Aid 8 pitches
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c
 4
The Nexus AKA The Niels Tietze M…
Trad 10 pitches
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 15
The Final Frontier
Trad 9 pitches
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 54
Romulan Warbird
Trad 9 pitches
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 18
Dream Team
Trad 10 pitches
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b
 1
Prime Directive
Trad 11 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bird of Prey
 36
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 7 pitches
More Burly than Girly
 21
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
More Girly than Burly
 1
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad
Center of the Universe
 218
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad 13 pitches
Voyager
 311
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 7 pitches
Make It So
 1
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c A4 Trad, Aid 8 pitches
The Nexus AKA The Niels Tie…
 4
5.13- 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E7 6c Trad 10 pitches
The Final Frontier
 15
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Trad 9 pitches
Romulan Warbird
 54
5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Trad 9 pitches
Dream Team
 18
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Trad 10 pitches
Prime Directive
 1
5.12+ 7c 28 IX 27 E6 6b Trad 11 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Fifi Buttress shown next to the Leaning Tower.
[Hide Photo] Fifi Buttress shown next to the Leaning Tower.
Center of the Universe/Voyager topo Yosemitebigwall.com
[Hide Photo] Center of the Universe/Voyager topo Yosemitebigwall.com
Topo of Final Frontier and Romulan Freebird
[Hide Photo] Topo of Final Frontier and Romulan Freebird
T-Bags Hangin' - original top by Coiler.  First 2 pitches are A2.
[Hide Photo] T-Bags Hangin' - original top by Coiler. First 2 pitches are A2.
Beginning of the approach trail, I added the Onx route as well.
[Hide Photo] Beginning of the approach trail, I added the Onx route as well.
Techno Geek Topo by Bryan Law
[Hide Photo] Techno Geek Topo by Bryan Law

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Nkane 1
East Bay, CA
[Hide Comment] With the newish reconstruction of the Bridalveil parking lot and the mechanical thinning going on in the forest, I'd add that the trail to Fifi starts just left (as you look at it from the parking lot) of the utility building and water tank at the southwest corner of the parking lot. May 28, 2024
Amy Wade
Tacoma WA
[Hide Comment] Approach has changed since the book and description written in MP. Agree with comment from Nkane, trail starts in front of the new bathrooms. If you take that trail, it takes you to the climbing sign (added photo). I added the approach route - it appears in MP if you click on the map link above. Apr 15, 2025