Expansive Bouldering, the recently developed bolted sport routes in the Alabama Hills and the traditional climbing up at “The Portal” offer year-round climbing opportunities.
Alabama Hills
The Alabama Hills has it all. Over 200 great sport climbs, great crack climbs, gorgeous California weather, beer and food only 10 minutes away, beautiful campgrounds and superb access.
Most climbs on these Joshua Tree-like boulders are in the 5.10 range, and that’s only because that’s the grade where the area developers had the most fun – after a night around the campfire dancing with the stars, they didn’t expect to get too serious come Sunday morning. There is a plethora of hard climbs waiting to be done – thanks to the 1872 Lone Pine earthquake. A number of patinated pinnacles fell over creating severely overhanging faces. As word has leaked out folks from Yosemite and Bishop have put up a number of 5.12’s and 5.13’s.
More: Info and and sample topo.
Whitney Portal
Whitney Portal presents to climbers some of the best rock in the Eastern Sierra. The location offers spectacular views and it’s south-facing aspect allows year round climbing when the road is open. Be warned however — in the heat of the summer the wall can be pretty hot. The routes vary from multi-pitch grade V’s to two – ten pitch face climbs, intermingled with the occasional crack climb.
More info is available here. And check out one of the areas newest routes Ghostrider.
Camping is available at Whitney Portal and in the Owens Valley. The BLM has kindly agreed to keep Tuttle Creek Campground open year round to accommodate climbers. Please camp in designated camping sites. There are many reasonably priced accommodation options in Lone Pine.