Mark Patterson nears the anchor atop Pitch 3. The pitch ends with fifty feet of offwidth-ish crack climbing (4-inches wide). Extra 3.5-4 inch gear allows this section to feel nice and cozy.

All Locations > California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Valley S Side > P. Cathedral Area > 6. Middle Cathe… > Central Pillar of Frenzy (5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a)

Mark Patterson nears the anchor atop Pitch 3. The pitch ends with fifty feet of offwidth-ish crack climbing (4-inches wide). Extra 3.5-4 inch gear allows this section to feel nice and cozy.

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Kelly Kurtz on Central Pillar of Frenzy (5.8+). Photo by Tony B., 5/09.

Matt Grieger climbs the spectacular 2nd pitch of Central Pillar of Frenzy, Yosemite.

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4.6 from 8 votes

Matthew Fienup

Nov 13, 2006

“Mark Patterson nears the anchor atop Pitch 3. The pitch ends with fifty feet of offwidth-ish crack climbing (4-inches wide). Extra 3.5-4 inch gear allows this section to feel nice and cozy.”

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Nearby Photos

Matthew Fienup using all of his 34-inch inseam, on P2 (make that P4!) of the Central Pillar. Photo by Linda Patterson.

Jon Graham nears the anchor on the Central Pillar of Frenzy's CLASSIC second pitch.<br>
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Matthew Fienup, P2 of the Central Pillar. Photo by Linda Patterson.

If you arrive late to the base, bring entertainment, because you'll be waiting a while. (we finished a three person game of scrabble after arriving at 9am)

Hillary styling up the beautiful 4th pitch of central pillar of frenzy

Kelly Kurtz on Central Pillar of Frenzy (5.8+). Photo by Tony B., 5/09.

Mark Patterson nears the anchor atop Pitch 3. The pitch ends with fifty feet of offwidth-ish crack climbing (4-inches wide). Extra 3.5-4 inch gear allows this section to feel nice and cozy.

Matt Grieger climbs the spectacular 2nd pitch of Central Pillar of Frenzy, Yosemite.

Two Japanese ladies at the little roof. Both looked to be in their late 60s if not 70s.

Second shot of the Japanese grandmas as the leader is about to go over the little roof.

Start of pitch 1 on the right facing corner

Doug Robinson leading pitch 2.

High-res photo of Central Pillar, taken from El Cap in June 2017.

Splitter Fist jams

Meant to text these two this photo but never got their numbers. Didn't really want to climb this route on this day because I had climbed this route so much in the past. But if you wait twenty years and climb it will be every bit as good as the first time.

Belay from the snow hole. We were able to tunnel to the start rather than go from the edge of the snow.

Central Pillar of Frenzy

The approach in mid-april = snow pile

huggg that fridge - money pitch after money pitch

First 3 pitches of Central Pillar of Frenzy

looking up at the climb from the base of 'central pillar of frenzy'

Pitch 3

Mark Patterson displays the fruits of his labor, after completing the Central Pillar of Frenzy.

My dad taking in the exposure

Steve killing it

manny s. leading the second pitch of 'central pillar of frenzy' as the sun peaks over middle cathedral rock

In the flare on P1

My dad on the dual cracks

Scottish climber rapping, viewpoint from the anchors of P2

Japanese climber in red, YOSAR helicopter in action to the left.

Michael through the short, easy chimney on the fifth pitch of CPF.

Sedric following the stellar second pitch

Mustafa following and Yaman leading the awesome 2nd pitch of Central Pillar of Frenzy

Start of the route, as shot straight-on April 23, 2013. Jason Albino gearing up for the Lead at the top of the snowfield right below the start. If you're climbing this in late winter/early spring, this is probably the only spot at the wall base that you'll find snow.

Kelly Kurtz follows up the 3rd pitch of the Central Pillar of Frenzy, 5.8+. Photo by Tony B, 5/09.

Mario and Julio do Brasil

You can barely see them, but there is a person leading in the white shirt and the second is in the grey shirt on the second pitch of the Central Pillar. Little old grandmas from Japan who couldn't be younger than mid, if not late 60s.

Aris doing some serious stretching on the first (or was that the second?) pitch.

My dad, stoked on his first climb in the Valley

Central Pillar of Frenzy - looking up at the Pitch 3 roof

Trav cleaning the best pitch of the route.

looking down from the top of the first pitch of 'central pillar of frenzy'

john schaefer on p1

Veronica on the outstanding P2

Nathan finishing up the second pitch of CPF over fall colors on a perfect November afternoon.

Will from England cruising the gorgeous OW on pitch 3

Kia leading pitch 3 roof on Central Pillar of Frenzy

YOSAR with a litter dangling below.

The "Double Crack" Section of pitch 4.

Jay Bettencourt following the wide section above the roof on the 3rd pitch (Fall, 2002)