Whale Pass (unofficial)
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 3:18 pm
TITLE: Whale Pass (unofficial)
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads between the two primary branches of Cloud Canyon
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 3-4
LOCATION: Kings Canyon National Park on the far Southern part of the Whaleback marked by a brown stain.
ELEVATION: 11,400
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Triple Divide Peak HST Map
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From Cloud Canyon you will notice a fin like cliff face. Directly to it's left is a small saddle stained with brown rock, aim for this. As you approach you will encounter all types of terrain ranging from steep loose small talus to large talus to grass ramps to sand to smooth granite faces. Wind your way through all this how ever you feel comfortable doing. When you reach the brown stain you must climb nearly vertical class 3 that is covered in loose rock so pick your holds carefully as the exposure here is plenty enough to kill you many times over. Some moves I made in here could be considered class 4. It may be possible to stay only on class 3 but I cannot confirm it. After you make it up the brown rocks you will make the last walk up on class 2. Once you cross over you must down climb steep class 3 rock but stable this time. I recommend taking the class 3 rock angling to your right rather then the left. The rock to your left at this point just looks unstable.
Once down the last of the class 3 you will have to wind your way down granite faces intermixed with loose rock. Finally you will pick up "easier" class 2 slopes until you reach the bottom.
If your coming from the East the ridge line still shows a large fin cliff face. To it's right is two brown stains. You want to aim for the smaller of the two that directly connects to the cliff face. Use extreme caution down climbing the class 3-4 rock on the Western side.
GENERAL OVERVIEW: This pass leads between the two primary branches of Cloud Canyon
CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 3-4
LOCATION: Kings Canyon National Park on the far Southern part of the Whaleback marked by a brown stain.
ELEVATION: 11,400
USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): Triple Divide Peak HST Map
ROUTE DESCRIPTION: From Cloud Canyon you will notice a fin like cliff face. Directly to it's left is a small saddle stained with brown rock, aim for this. As you approach you will encounter all types of terrain ranging from steep loose small talus to large talus to grass ramps to sand to smooth granite faces. Wind your way through all this how ever you feel comfortable doing. When you reach the brown stain you must climb nearly vertical class 3 that is covered in loose rock so pick your holds carefully as the exposure here is plenty enough to kill you many times over. Some moves I made in here could be considered class 4. It may be possible to stay only on class 3 but I cannot confirm it. After you make it up the brown rocks you will make the last walk up on class 2. Once you cross over you must down climb steep class 3 rock but stable this time. I recommend taking the class 3 rock angling to your right rather then the left. The rock to your left at this point just looks unstable.
Once down the last of the class 3 you will have to wind your way down granite faces intermixed with loose rock. Finally you will pick up "easier" class 2 slopes until you reach the bottom.
If your coming from the East the ridge line still shows a large fin cliff face. To it's right is two brown stains. You want to aim for the smaller of the two that directly connects to the cliff face. Use extreme caution down climbing the class 3-4 rock on the Western side.