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Elevation: 4,141 ft
GPS: 37.36119, -118.39539
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 5,938,080 total · 29,865/month
Shared By: Euan Cameron on Nov 18, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Aron Quiter, Euan Cameron, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

Bishop is blessed with perfect climbing conditions. Not only is the climate perfect for climbing with only 6" average annual rainfall, and over 300 days of sunshine, the crags and boulders that surround the town are world-class.

The Owens River Gorge (ORG) has hundreds of top quality sport routes, and the Happy and Buttermilks bouldering venues both have world class problems. Each of the areas have distinct characteristics, the ORG has long pumpy routes, the Happy Boulders have fun boulders that suit strong fingers and flexibility, while the Buttermilks offer fine technical challenges that reward good technique and hard callouses in one of the most scenic settings in the country.

There are many more areas than these mentioned to go climb at - just as well the weather won't let you down - 'cause you'll be busy.

In the summer months when the valley is hot there are always the higher elevations of the Mammoth and June areas no further than 1 hour away, or you can cool off with a float down the Owens River, just east of Bishop.

Need a guidebook? See here mountainproject.com/books/1…

Tape? Chalk? Check out Wilson's Eastside Sports on Main St., downtown Bishop for all your outdoorsy needs.

 

Unknown climber getting to grips with the last hold before the throw on Stained Glass

Photo by Micah Bryan Humphrey

Getting There Suggest change

Bishop is located on US 395, about 4 hours North of Los Angeles and about 4 hours South of Reno.

Fly into the Bishop Airport and be climbing in no time! United Express began service to BIH in December 2021.  Currently flights are available seasonally - daily direct flights from Denver and San Francisco from mid-December through March and six day/week flights to San Francisco from mid-June through Labor Day.  Service will likely expand to year round flights in the coming years.

It is a trek no matter where you come from, but one well worth making.

Camping out at The Pit. Can't say I've been to many campgrounds with better scenery than this one.

Buttermilks afternoon

3,206 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Bishop Area

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V1 5 PG13
 669
Heavenly Path
Boulder
V1 5
 406
Buttermilk Stem
Boulder
V2 5+
 334
The Hunk
Boulder
V4 6B
 533
Iron Man Traverse
Boulder
V4 6B
 472
Ketron Classic
Boulder
V4 6B PG13
 180
Jedi Mind Tricks
Boulder
V4+ 6B+
 290
Bowling Pin
Boulder
V5 6C
 179
Strength in Numbers (Original SIN)
Boulder
V6 7A
 346
The Hulk
Boulder
V6 7A
 305
The Ruckus (aka Seven Spanish An…
Boulder
V7 7A+
 268
High Plains Drifter
Boulder
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 363
West Face
Trad 4 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 337
Gorgeous
Sport
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 344
Sheila
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 193
Grindrite
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Heavenly Path Volcanic Tablel… > … > Central Happine… > Heavenly Path Boulder
 669
V1 5 PG13 Boulder
Buttermilk Stem Buttermilk Country > … > Buttermilk Stem… > Buttermilk Stem Boulder
 406
V1 5 Boulder
The Hunk Buttermilk Country > Buttermilks Main > Hunk
 334
V2 5+ Boulder
Iron Man Traverse Buttermilk Country > … > Iron Man Area > Iron Man Boulder
 533
V4 6B Boulder
Ketron Classic Volcanic Tablel… > … > Savannah Area > Savannah Boulder
 472
V4 6B Boulder
Jedi Mind Tricks Buttermilk Country > Pollen Grains /… > Jedi Boulder
 180
V4 6B PG13 Boulder
Bowling Pin Buttermilk Country > Buttermilks Main > Bowling Pin Boulder
 290
V4+ 6B+ Boulder
Strength in Numbers (Origin… Volcanic Tablel… > … > Strength in Num… > Strength in Numbers
 179
V5 6C Boulder
The Hulk Volcanic Tablel… > … > Central Happine… > Happy Boulder
 346
V6 7A Boulder
The Ruckus (aka Seven Spani… Buttermilk Country > Get Carter Boulder
 305
V6 7A Boulder
High Plains Drifter Buttermilk Country > Buttermilks Main > Drifter/Smoking Boulder
 268
V7 7A+ Boulder
West Face Cardinal Pinnacle
 363
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 4 pitches
Gorgeous Owens River Gorge > Upper Gorge > Gorgeous Towers
 337
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Sheila Pine Creek Canyon > Scheelite Canyo… > Pratt's Crack / Dihed…
 344
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Grindrite Owens River Gorge > Upper Gorge > Gotham City
 193
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Bishop Area »

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