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North Rib

3rd, Trad, Alpine,  Avg: 2.9 from 49 votes
FA: Clarence King and Richard Cotter, 1864
California > High Sierra > 13 - Shepherd Pass > Mt Tyndall

Description

This is a decent 3rd class route to the summit as an alternative to the class 2 Northwest Ridge. The Rib offers much scrambling and boulder hopping until you reach the airy ridge and follow it up to the summit. This mountain has a striking view all around and makes one feel as though they are in Giant country.

Location

The rib is clearly seen in the pictures below. The descent is the same as the ascent.

Protection

The faint of heart may want a hip belay in sections, but this is clearly a 3rd class route.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Me looking down from one of the false summits of Mt Tyndall
[Hide Photo] Me looking down from one of the false summits of Mt Tyndall
Summit of Tyndall with Williamson in background.
[Hide Photo] Summit of Tyndall with Williamson in background.
Easy scrambling on the N Rib of Mt. Tyndall
[Hide Photo] Easy scrambling on the N Rib of Mt. Tyndall
My friend at the summit of Mt Tyndall
[Hide Photo] My friend at the summit of Mt Tyndall
Tyndall with the North Rib and Northwest Ridge visible in the sunrise alpenglow
[Hide Photo] Tyndall with the North Rib and Northwest Ridge visible in the sunrise alpenglow
Summit of Tyndall with Whitney in background.
[Hide Photo] Summit of Tyndall with Whitney in background.
This is a shot of the ridge and can expect this kind of rock scrambling until the summit.
[Hide Photo] This is a shot of the ridge and can expect this kind of rock scrambling until the summit.
Taking a breath around 13,000+ feet.
[Hide Photo] Taking a breath around 13,000+ feet.
A nice view of the Rib while taking a break after Shepard Pass.
[Hide Photo] A nice view of the Rib while taking a break after Shepard Pass.
A clear view of the North Rib.
[Hide Photo] A clear view of the North Rib.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

rhyang
San Jose, CA
 
[Hide Comment] If free of snow (fairly obvious from approach), the slabs to the right of the rib proper are much cleaner. Class 2-3 friction. Sep 5, 2011
Rob Donnelly
Riverside, CA
 
[Hide Comment] Much better than Williamson's scree filled west face. vimeo.com/29966416 Apr 12, 2012
Mike Tsuji
SLC
 
[Hide Comment] Not a bad scramble. Obvious, fun line to the top Sep 9, 2012
Bas Cuela
Fresno, CA
  3rd
[Hide Comment] Compared to the Northwest Ridge, this is a far better route. A buddy and I ascended the NW ridge. I eventually bailed off the ridge and cut across slaby face to meet up with the North Rib. My buddy finished the NW and agreed that we both would go back down the North Rib. Once it was all said and done at the bottom we both agreed that the North Rib was a far better route than the NW ridge. More direct, cleaner, and better views. Sep 15, 2016
Derek Field
Nevada
  3rd
[Hide Comment] One of the better class-3 scrambles I've done. (up there with Russell's east ridge) Jul 13, 2018
Forever Outside
Los Angeles, CA
[Hide Comment] The rib is ok but the traverse to the summit is quite fun little scramble! Jul 29, 2018
Chris Schroeder
Livermore, CA
[Hide Comment] I had a blast staying on top of (not to the right of) the NW Ridge, which I believe involved some at-least-4th class up- and down-climbing (I then strolled down the hump called the North Rib to return to the Williamson Bowl). Why doesn't anyone seem to mention this great option (except maybe a handful that complain that the NW Ridge is too hard to be called 2nd class)? Aug 5, 2018