![]() We attached a piece of webbing and rigged the rope for rappel. There were two bolts at the top with quicklinks. After brief congratulations, we sat back and took a few photos, enjoying the moment. At least a dozen other hikers were milling around the lower east summit, but no one ventured near us. It was a rush to stand on the true summit. It was only a mid-fifth class slab, but was the most difficult climb I had ever attempted. The top of the block only has room for about three people. From there, I was able to grab the top and make a final step up to the summit. At the fourth bolt, I made the same traverse left as Adam on a series of small ledges. I didn't feel stable reaching down to get it, but I managed to clean it without falling. At the third bolt, I repeated my earlier mistake of climbing past it. I didn't bother to look down once, concerned only about moving up. Facing the rock again, I reached a solid one inch hold about half way up. I had to stop, reach down, remove the quickdraw and place it on my harness. I was laser focused on finding the next hold, or the next step, and made a common beginner mistake of climbing past the first bolt. Many were quarter or half inch flakes or small indentations. Still a novice climber, the holds looked tiny to me. I had to remove the quickdraws on each bolt as I passed it. As the second climber, I had an additional responsibility to clean the route on the way. I shouted "On belay", Adam answered "belay on" and I took my first tentative step onto the rock. Once on top, he built an anchor and clipped himself in place to belay me from above. At the last bolt, Adam moved left, finding better holds that way instead of straight up. The second bolt was only 5' above the first, and the final two were spaced more evenly. Adam made a couple of moves and placed the first quickdraw. I sat down and braced my feet against the bottom of the summit block for belay. The rope was flaked out on the boulder behind me. We spent some time double checking each other's knots and gear, and I made a few adjustments. Adam did not bring a helmet on this trip, but I brought mine. We unpacked the rope, got our harnesses and rock shoes on, and geared up. Adam was by far a stronger climber and agreed to lead the 4-bolt sport route up the block. The miter shaped block was apparently the inspiration of the name "Bishop Peak". We followed a good use trail around some large boulders and more poison oak to the base of the 35' summit block. There was no benchmark or register at either summit. From there, we got a good view of the true summit not far away. Sunlight reflected off the marine layer creating an eerie setting. We continued on, completing the fun class 3 scramble to the east summit. Unfortunately, a lot of people get hurt or killed on Bishop Peak. A memorial plaque was mounted on a boulder there. A few long switchbacks later, we were at a bench with "End of Trail" etched into it, just below the east summit. It was a short hike through a forested area with plenty of poison oak along the sides of the trail. The popular east summit was visible through the trees and fog. We arrived about 7:00 AM and started up the trail into a thick marine layer that mostly burned off later in the day. At 4+ hours one way, this was my longest day hike drive to date. Adam Walker (gimpilator) graciously agreed to climb with me and we started early to avoid LA and Santa Barbara traffic. Of course, I wanted to climb both, but needed a climbing partner. It also specifically recommends against climbing the class 5.6 summit block: Do not attempt to climb to the actual high point. The official Sierra Club guide for Bishop Peak recommends stopping at the class 3 east summit, which offers fantastic views. Distance: 3.9 miles round trip on trail and use trailĮlevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.96ĭifficulty: Moderate (Class 5.6 summit block)īishop Peak was the first stop on what turned out to be a 19.5 hour marathon day (counting drive time) to hit three peaks on the Lower Peaks List in the San Luis Obispo area.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |