California Mountaineering Club
Classic Climbs List


Listed below are the California Mountaineering Club’s Classic Climbs.  This is the result of inputs from Club members of their favorite climbs and a thorough review and consolidation by the Club’s selection committee.  The committee was composed of Ellen Holden, Ron Hudson, Bob Rockwell, and R. J. Secor and chaired by Jack Miller.

The members, the board and the committee wanted this to be a list of California’s alpine climbs that are the most worthy, challenging and enjoyable.  A list of climbs we could recommend to other climbers. The Club does not envision that a system of recognition or awards will be associated with the list.  Once a year the CMC Board of Directors will review any member’s recommended changes.  Please forward any recommendations to a Board Member.

TECHNICAL CLIMBS (12 CLIMBS)

 

PEAK

ROUTE

RATING

Bear Creek Spire

N Arete

5.8

Cathedral Peak

S E Buttress

5.5

Charlotte Dome

South Face

5.7

Mt Conness

W Ridge

5.6

Matterhorn Peak

N Arete

5.7

Matthes Crest

S to N Traverse

5.6

Norman Clyde Peak

Twilight Pillar

5.8

North Palisade

U Notch-Chimney

5.5

Mt Sill

Swiss Arete

5.6

Starlight Peak

Starlight Buttress

5.5

Temple Crag

Moon Goddess Arete

5.7

Mt. Whitney

E Buttress

5.6

  

CLASS 3/4 SCRAMBLING (12 CLIMBS)

PEAK

ROUTE

RATING

Mt Agassiz

N E Face

4 (& low 5)

Bear Creek Spire

N E Buttress

4

Charybdis

N E Ridge

3

Mt Carl Heller

E Arete

4

Mt Clarence King

S Face

3/4

Deerhorn Mtn

N E Ridge

3

Middle Palisade

N E Face

3

Norman Clyde Peak

N E Ridge

4

North Palisade

U Notch-Clyde Variation

4

Palisade Traverse

T-bolt to Sill

4 (& low 5)

Thunderbolt Peak

Underhill Couloir

4

Mt Winchell

E Arete

3

 

SNOW & ICE CLIMBS-WINTER / SPRING (11 CLIMBS) 

 

PEAK

ROUTE

RATING

Mt Darwin

N Glacier

Ice/Snow

Mt Gilbert

N W Couloir

4/5 Ice

Mt Mendel

Mendel Couloir

5+ Ice

Polemonium Peak

V Notch

Ice/Snow

Mt Shasta

Whitney Glacier

Snow/Ice

Mt Shasta

Casaval Ridge

Snow/Ice

Mt Shasta

Hotlum Glacier

Snow/Ice

Mt Sill

N Couloir

Winter Snow

Split Mtn

N E Couloir

Ice/Snow

Thunderbolt

Underhill Couloir

Winter Snow

Mt Whitney

Mountaineers Route

Snow

 

 

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Last updated: January 11, 2004