Merriam Peak
We offer a 3-day standard and 4-day porter supported itineraries.
We would venture to say the North Buttress which is probably the most fun alpine rock climb of its grade in the High Sierra, which says a lot. We offer a 3-day standard and 4-day porter supported itineraries.
Available only on a custom private basis at our custom private rates. Max ratio of 2:1.
The most fun alpine rock climb of its grade in the High Sierra.
North Buttress (IV, 5.10b)
Funny story: Bob Harrington, Sierra rock climber and route pioneer, lives down the street from our Bishop office. He first climbed the North Buttress of Merriam Peak with another Eastside climber and climbing adventurer Vern Clevenger in 1976 on a lark. I asked Bob about the quality of it and he said, “Ah, that heap?,” referring to the loose rock. Well, for years I didn’t do it because nobody said anything great about it. Suddenly, I started hearing reports of what a stellar route it is. Turns out a local Sierra hardman who shall remain nameless fixed a rope on the route a few years back so he could run solo laps after working trail crew in Pine Creek. Well, now the route is clean. Go figure. We would venture to say this is probably the most fun alpine rock climb of its grade in the High Sierra, which says a lot. Part of that is the setting at Royce Lakes, which is spectacular. We offer guided ascents in two formats: a 3-day regular climbing program and a 4-day program with porter support.
-
Included
alpine rock climbingclassic Sierra rockMerriam PeakPine Creekrock -
Not Included
14ers3D chute3rd pillar3rd Pillar DanaAIAREAIARE 1AIARE 2AlaskaAlaska skiingalpinealpine climbingAlpsAlps climbingAlps runningAlps skiingAlps trilogyAmerican Mountain Guides AssociationAMGAavalanche awarenessavalanche coursebackcountrybackcountry 101backcountry skiBackcountry Skiingbackcountry snowboardbackpackingBear Creek SpireBerner OberlandBernese OberlandBishopBishop SkylineBlacksmith PeakBloody MountainBreakthroughBridgeportCaliforniaCalifornia fourteenerscampingCardinal PinnacleCarson PeakCelestial AretesChamonixChamonix climbingCharlotte Domechefclassic rock climbclimbclimbingclimbing campclimbing skillsclimbing Swiss AlpsClyde MinaretConvict Creekcookcoursescourses instructioncramponCrest tourCrystal Cragcustomcustom private skiDana PlateaudestinationsDevil's SlideDolomitesDolomites climbingDouble Eagle ResortDream BowlEast ButtressEast FaceEastern Sierra climbingEastern Sierra skiingEastern Sierra WinterEigerEvolution LoopexamfastpackingFishhook AreteFour SeasonsFranceGlass CreekGrindelwaldguide courseHaute Routeheli assistedheli skiingHemlock RidgeHigh SierraHigh Sierra skiinghigh tourhikingHorse CreekhorsesHorsetail FallsHut to Hutice 101ice axeice climbingice climbing courseIncredible Hulkinstructionintermediate levelinternationalintroductoryintroductory ice climbing courseItalyJohn Muir TrailJohn Muir WildernessJune LakeJune MountainJungfrauKautz Glacierkidskids climbing programsLas Vegaslee viningLee Vining arealee vining canyonlevel 1level 1 refresherlevel 2light and fastlightweightLone PineLone Pine PeakLovers LeapMammoth LakesMammoth Lakes to YosemiteMammoth MountainMammoth to JuneMammoth to YosemiteMatterhornMatterhorn PeakMcGee Creekmixed climbingMonchMont BlancMont Blanc runMount ConnessMount DanaMount EmersonMount GabbMount HumphreysMount MillsMount Rainiermountain runningmountaineeringMountaineers RouteMt ConnessMt. DanaMt. EmersonMt. HumphreysMt. RussellMt. SillMt. TomMt. WhitneyMt. WinchellmulesmultidaynegativesNevadaNorth PalisadeNorth Peaknorth ridgeonion valley to mt. whitneyOrtlerOwens River Gorgepack outfitpack supportpackerspalisadesPalisades Glacier Camppeak descentsPeter CroftPolemonium PeakportersPositive Vibrationsprivateprivate customprofessional developmentRed and White MountainRed Dihedralred rockRed Slate Mountainrescue skillsRitter Rangerock 201rock climbingRock CreekRock Creek to MammothSabre RidgeSan Joaquin RidgeSawtoothsself arrestself belayself rescueSequoia National ParksherpasSierraSierra 5.10sierra alpineSierra Mountain GuidesSierra NevadaSierra skiingsingle pitch instructorskiski guidingski mountaineeringski tourski touringskiingsnowsnow skillssnowboardSPIsplitboardsportsport climbingStarlight PeaksupportedSwitzerlandTahoeTemple Cragthird pillarThompson PassThunderbolt PeakTiogatrad climbingtrail runningtraverseTuolumneTwin LakesUltra Trail Mont BlancultralightValdezVia Ferratawhite linewilderness tripwinterYosemiteyosemite national parkYosemite skiYost MeadowZermattZermatt Valley
| TRIP ITINERARY: 3-day Merriam Peak | |
| DAY 1 | Meet in Bishop for a pack check early in the morning. Drive to Pine Creek and hike up to scenic Royce Lakes. |
| DAY 2 | Climb the North Buttress of Merriam Peak. Relax, Eat and Sleep in camp. |
| DAY 3 | Hike down with an option of cragging at the Brownstone Wall on the way. |
| TRIP ITINERARY: 4-day Merriam Peak with Porter Support | |
| DAY 1 | Meet in Bishop in the morning for a welcome briefing to review gear and logistics and put together loads for the pack outfitters. Climb beautiful multipitch alpine granite up to 5.10a on Cardinal Pinnacle. |
| DAY 2 | (Optional: Rock climbing in Pine Creek with an early morning start.) Hike with light day packs to scenic Royce Lakes. Arrive to camp with food ready to eat prepared by a backcountry chef. |
| DAY 3 | Climb the North Buttress of Merriam Peak. Relax, eat and sleep in camp. |
| DAY 4 | Hike down with only light rock climbing gear for the option of cragging at the Brownstone Wall on the way. |
Scheduled 4-day program includes:
- 1:1 guiding by SMG guide
- Breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the backcountry
- Camp cook
- 1 porter (45# max) per climber to and from high camp
- Individual tent accommodations
- All group equipment
4-day excludes:
- Personal snacks for hiking and climbing
- Personal climbing equipment (rentals available)
- Camping equipment (rentals available)
- Clothing and personal items
- Tips for guides and staff