PRINT: Climb Bishop's Balcony, Yosemite National Park

Bishop's Balcony

A1 PG13, Aid,

Avg: 1.8 from 4 votes
FA: Frank Sacherer and Gary Colliver, November 1962
California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Valley N Side > G. Church Bowl

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Description

The route begins up a pillar and continues into a crack that goes up the middle of a horizontal roof to it's edge. Around 30ft above the edge you'll find a small ledge to belay from. From here you can rapp down to the terrace, and then use the rapp bolts from the Bishop's Terrace route to reach the ground. A good route to practice roof aid techniques.

Location

Ascends a horizontal roof up above Bishop's Terrace, and is best approached by climbing Bishop's Terrace (5.8).

Protection

Mostly fixed, but angles and circleheads can be useful.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Scott Burk (16) leading The Bishop's Balcony. (Aug 1979)

1985

solo on Bishop's Balcony.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Osprey Overhang
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FA: Frank Sacherer, Gary Colliver - 11/1962

Pitch one, the approach pitch, historically used the 5.5 ramp (good quality) that accessed the right (east) side of the large, slopping balcony. This is approached by passing the base of Bishop's Terrace and proceeding up the steep gravel section. Once you reach the large boulder on top of the 700 Club, take a left and traverse a ledge to the west. Look for the ramp that climbs up and slightly right (5.5). This ramp is also a good place to take a beginner for practice either climbing or belaying off of a ledge, on natural gear, with exposure. There are chains at the top of this short pitch. May 25, 2012

Nathan Scherneck
Portland, OR

Some good images of Jack Miller on Bishops Roof on Ed Cooper's website edcooper.com/Yosemite.html. Jul 28, 2012

Account Delete
Lafayette, LA

When I climbed it the anchor needed to be replaced. Had to rappel off of a single bolt and leave a carabiner on it (the bolt that was only half way in).
I personally wouldn't climb this again without a bolt kit just in case the anchor is still weathered. Oct 7, 2015

Ned BajaBlast
Mammoth Lakes, CA

C2 PG13

Just climbed this (7/20/20), taking the original approach pitch is very dirty and vegetated but not too bad. The anchor on the approach pitch looks pretty new. The anchor at the start of the route proper is pretty decent, one glue in bolt and one old SMC. The route itself is weird. C1 for about 30ft then you hit the roof which is completely fixed except for the last few feet. Spoiler alert the fixed gear is old as shit. It held me though. The top anchor is a newer looking bolt and another old SMC with some tat connecting them. Could use another bolt but hey, I made it back down. Route is currently C2F, it’s only pg-13 if one of the fixed pieces blew, I wouldn’t trust any of them to hold an actual fall. Screamers may be nice. Jul 20, 2020