Brett leads the 5.7 piton-protected variation above the 2nd Tower.

All Locations > California > High Sierra > 14 - Whitney &… > Mt Whitney > E Buttress (5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b)

Brett leads the 5.7 piton-protected variation above the 2nd Tower.

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A view of the summit. There are many options here, but good route finding is needed to keep it 5.7. Many 5.8- 5.10 alternates...

On the approach to the East Buttress.

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4.0 from 7 votes

John Hegyes

Jul 8, 2008

“Brett leads the 5.7 piton-protected variation above the 2nd Tower.”

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Nearby Photos

An incredible line. This perspective is hard to imagine when you're looking up at the mountain, but my hope is that this photo shows that it isn't all that sustained or intimidating when you're up there - just pure fun!

Mt. Whitney's East Buttress, just below the Peewee. Photo by Tauru.

Topo aspect from Iceberg Lake showing 5.8 alternate start for the first pitch. Highly recommend this variation. Climbers can be seen on first pitch of regular 5.6 start.

Woah

Roping up at the start of the route.

Sunrise from the E Buttress route

Renee finishing up the crux moves on pitch 7.

Fun shot of Peewee on the East Buttress.

Mt Whitney at sunrise. East Buttress is clearly visible on the right side of the picture.

Kevin on the East Buttress. December 2016

John Fujii pauses on the crest. Iceberg Lake below.

A view of the summit. There are many options here, but good route finding is needed to keep it 5.7. Many 5.8- 5.10 alternates...

Brett leads the 5.7 piton-protected variation above the 2nd Tower.

On the approach to the East Buttress.

second 5.7 section

Climbing past peewee block on Pitch 6. We went right of the block; easy climbing

right before the PeeWee on the East Buttress

Stay along the cliffs to the right on the descent of the Mountaineers Route and aim for the notch (shown here) to the right of Piss Rock to avoid lower gully. Cairned all the way.

Pinnacle Ridge

1st pitch

Having some fun on blocks, pre-summit, post roped up

Epic views from the East Buttress

Jon coming up on pitch 3

remnants of the ice falls

Iceberg Lake campsite, with Whitney in background

The Peewee on the East Buttress.

Straight down the buttress. Camp at Icerberg Lake below.

Looking down pitch 1 to John Fujii

Mike Morley and Jeff Crow atop Mt. Whitney after summiting the East Buttress on a bluebird day in late May, 2002.

Duke soloing high on the East Buttress.

Mountaineers Route descent (barely any snow left in May!)

rippled slab is the first 5.7 section

Kevin on the East Buttress. December 2016

Around the 4th pitch. Fun slabs ahead.

2 climbers on top of the 2nd tower

Looking up at the start of pitch 4.

Following P1

Jonny pulls down on the right side of the Peewee. Photo by Brett Barrett.

looking up at the E Buttress

looking over to Russell

John Fujii at the end of pitch 2.

Whitney

Jeff Crow approaches the belay on one of the upper pitches of Whitney's East Buttress in late May, 2002.

Seth on lead.

flakes around P4/5

looking down on the 1st pillar

early morning light on the approach

Top of pitch 7 and the creaky flakes.

Orange dihedral pitch on East Buttress, Mt Whitney. Photo courtesy Bill McConachie

Mariann and I happy on the Summit !

Keeler Needles & Whitney

This is the crack to the right of the peewee if you're forced off route due to snow and ice.

easy blocky climbing on P4

run-off

another view of Pinnacle Ridge

final easy pitches to the summit

view down to Iceberg

another view of Pinnacle Ridge

First Pitch

In This Photo

Brett Barrett

Las Vegas

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