All Locations > California > Sierra Eastside > Lee Vining Cany… > Ellery Ridges

The Backbone

Name: The Backbone
Rating: 3.1

5.7 YDS 5a French 15 Ewbanks V+ UIAA 13 ZA MVS 4b British

Routes in Ellery Ridges

L › R R › L A › Z

	Backbone, The T 5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
	East Ellery Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Ellery Gullies T Easy 5th 1+ 3 I 5 M 1c
	North Ellery Ridge T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
	Northwest Buttress T 5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b R
	Power House Couloir T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13
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Type:	Trad, Alpine, 1500 ft (455 m), 15 pitches, Grade III
FA:	Walter Hawkins (RIP) & Eric Gabel, early 2000s
Page Views:	3,980 total · 51/month
Shared By:	Bruce Morris on Aug 25, 2016
Admins:	Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

Most direct, obvious, long arete leading up the south slope of Lee Vining Canyon to the broad flat summit of Dana Plateau. Eric Gabel called it the "Backbone Arete" because of the long causeway walk in the central section that is shaped like dinosaur vertebrae. At the end of the causeway, go to a notch and there is a big block as ways beyond. That's where the 5.7 is, you lie back up the side of the block, the rest of the route is 5.6 or easier.