Late December sport climbing/sport multipitch in or near Yosemite

Spending New Year's in Yosemite, avid climber but unfortunately haven't learned trad yet ;-; 

Will probably boulder a good bit but looking for sport climbing reccs accessible during this time in winter.

My birthday's NYE and would love to do a multi sport! if those exist in the Park, or if something is day-trippable from Mariposa.

They exist and are good. Try The Great Escape and or Killa beez. 

John Clarkwrote:

They exist and are good. Try The Great Escape and or Killa beez. 

Killa Beez is awesome, but is it not a mixed line?

TaylorPwrote:

Killa Beez is awesome, but is it not a mixed line?

Perhaps. I guess i forget when things are like 3 cams

Pub San is good though.

Unfortunately for your timing, nearly all of the true sport climbing in the valley is on the south (shady) side and by new years it’s likely to be wet/snowy and frigid in those areas. I believe there is some newer moderate sport climbing on the north side near Swan Slab, would need to check Sloan’s latest (2025) guidebook. There are some individual pitches here and there though, such as a few at Pat and Jack area. 

Parkline slab would be a good choice, otherworld specifically

Highly recommend just focusing in on the bouldering. It is top-quality, and winter is often a good time for Yosemite bouldering. You sport climbing options will be very constrained, but the bouldering options are vast.

Repeating Brennan, Otherworld is a great winter climb. It goes at 5.10+ A0 if you're not up for the 5.11 pitches.

If you haven't  tried Nordic skiing ,the Valley is a great place to do so. A day ski trip to Glacier Point and the summit of Sentnel Dome would be grand on NYE . Have a great trip !

wez zerwrote:

Unfortunately for your timing, nearly all of the true sport climbing in the valley is on the south (shady) side and by new years it’s likely to be wet/snowy and frigid in those areas. I believe there is some newer moderate sport climbing on the north side near Swan Slab, would need to check Sloan’s latest (2025) guidebook. There are some individual pitches here and there though, such as a few at Pat and Jack area. 

Yes, there are four or five fun single pitch sport routes at the top ledge of swan slab. You can scramble up there around the right side over big boulders and then up a class 4 gully. 

There are a decent number of sport climbs on the south facing walls. Most I can think of off the top of my head are in the 5.9-5.10-5.11 range. (I’m on the road, can’t check my guidebooks).  I think the Supertopo Yosemite valley sport climbs and topropes is still available as a ebook. Just google it.

There’s a cluster at Pat and Jack, and another cluster around Church Bowl. Individual ones scattered a few other walls. As others have said, more just outside the park on 140.  

Crapshoot if it would be warm enough, dry enough to climb then…

wez zerwrote:

Unfortunately for your timing, nearly all of the true sport climbing in the valley is on the south (shady) side and by new years it’s likely to be wet/snowy and frigid in those areas. I believe there is some newer moderate sport climbing on the north side near Swan Slab, would need to check Sloan’s latest (2025) guidebook. There are some individual pitches here and there though, such as a few at Pat and Jack area. 

Thanks for the recc!!

Gerald Adamswrote:

If you haven't  tried Nordic skiing ,the Valley is a great place to do so. A day ski trip to Glacier Point and the summit of Sentnel Dome would be grand on NYE . Have a great trip !

Ah, this sounds amazing! Thanks for the recc. Will def keep this in mind! 

Brennan Jwrote:

Parkline slab would be a good choice, otherworld specifically

Was looking into this one a lot! I want to do it, but am concerned for the higher graded (5.11d) pitches. Would going bolt to bolt with a stick clip be feasible on those? 

Marigrace Buendiawrote:

Was looking into this one a lot! I want to do it, but am concerned for the higher graded (5.11d) pitches. Would going bolt to bolt with a stick clip be feasible on those? 

The 11d section is very short  and the bolts super close together. You can pull through on draws (A0) that section. Don't bring a stick clip up. Also in the winter there is often a fixed rope on much of this route, so you can just pull on the rope (or just do solo TR)

There are also some more moderate single pitch sport routes at Parkline Slab, such as Machine Gun Jubblies 5.8 and Free for All (first pitch) 5.9 .

If you go to Parkline, the approach is somewhat longer than places like Pat and Jack.

And you need to watch for poison oak at both places.

Parkline is somewhat lower elevation, so the winter weather can be a little nicer there than the main Valley floor.

Cory Bwrote:

The 11d section is very short  and the bolts super close together. You can pull through on draws (A0) that section. Don't bring a stick clip up. Also in the winter there is often a fixed rope on much of this route, so you can just pull on the rope (or just do solo TR)

Thanks for the info!!

Clint Cumminswrote:

There are also some more moderate single pitch sport routes at Parkline Slab, such as Machine Gun Jubblies 5.8 and Free for All (first pitch) 5.9 .

If you go to Parkline, the approach is somewhat longer than places like Pat and Jack.

And you need to watch for poison oak at both places.

Parkline is somewhat lower elevation, so the winter weather can be a little nicer there than the main Valley floor.

Was reading about Parkline, really good to know; thanks! 

Great suggestions!....on the more moderate side probably Super Slacker Highway at Pat and Jack. Pine LIne at El Cap: 5.7 and 5.9 with bolts leads to the first pitch of Platinum Wall which is right next to the regular Nose start, and closely bolted at 5.11 - this area can be epic bright and warm mid day and just super cool to be right there on the Big Stone. Life it UP! E

https://rockclimbingyosemite.com/