Mt. Russell (14,086 ft.)

Mt. Russell is the often forgotten beautiful stepsister to Mt. Whitney. Though she is a 14er and gorgeous in her own right, she is mostly overlooked by thousands of tourists who come every year to expereince the thrill of being on the highest point in the lower 48, Mt. Whitney. Steep on all sides, Mt. Russell offers several excellent routes to her airy and exposed summit platform. You will likely have the summit all to yourself since everyone else is on Whitney, and you can feel smug knowing that your route's quality equaled the routes on Whitney, your summit is cooler, and you are having a real wilderness experience instead of a group hug. We also have the option of doing both Whitney and Russell on the same trip (Highly recommended if you love group hugs and wilderness expereinces!) Check that option out here.

Fishhook Arete:

This J shaped arete is the first thing you see as you hike over the Whitney/Russell col, and has the biggest shadow to the left of it in the photo to the upper right. Probably the most popular route up Mt. Russell, it offers wonderful face, crack, and exposed ridge climbing all the way to the summit. On a nice day, you can take a comfy seat right on top and relax in the sun as you sign the register.

East Ridge:

If you have ever climbed Middle Palisade before you will know that the sierra offers some awesome 3rd class climbing! The East Ridge is probably one of the best examples of this fact. The sharp east ridge of Mt. Russell is 3rd class climbing with the exposure and quality and views of 5th class climbing. Add one of our guides and you've got the safest, awesomest ridgeline ever. This route can be done on the way to the summit, or for an awesome adventure, go up the fishhook arete, and down the east ridge! Que Bien!

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