Snowslogger - Dec 7, 2023 1:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 1987
From Banner-Ritter Saddle
Started hiking up after driving all night from Socal and felt off from the drive and lack of sleep. Went up Banner, but decided to bail on climbing Ritter. The volcanic rock was more like that I was used to in the Cascades and Olympics than the nice Sierra granite!
Day 4 of our Sierra High Route trip. We woke early enough and headed around the north side of Lake Catherine. Ascended the NE glacier with crampons and axes before turning our tools and attention on the slightly more difficult glacier portion to access Ritter's North Face Route. Once on the route, I followed Mike's path and instructions when needed. The climbing remained 3rd class but for me it was both chossy and exposed. Just when I felt I was reaching my breaking point I heard Mike announce "we're at the top" and as I turned the final corner I was relieved to see he wasn't pulling my leg. I had made it up! First laid eyes on this beast from the 2019 JMT hike, so stoked to be able to come back and summit. We descended without issue and then slogged up Banner's talus field to its summit. A great day in the mountains I will never forget.
YEM - Jul 27, 2020 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2020
Nydiver Lakes and Banner/Ritter Saddle
Nydiver might be one of the best lake basins I've ever seen. No one was one the mountain, maybe because this was the last week of the road closure, covid or the horrid snow conditions above the saddle. After making it to the summit of Banner and busting so many post holes, I noticed Ritter's summit ledge completely covered in the same slushy snow. That sealed the deal that this trip would only include one summit. I'll be back for a return trip for Ritter sooner rather than later. On the plus side, the glissade from the saddle extended nearly 1800 ft!
Hyadventure - Nov 14, 2018 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2018
Southern slopes
Some off route class three. We should have just climbed the snow.
Great first scrambling experience. Got caught in an intense hailstorm on the way down, had to death march 10 miles out to the car, which we reached at 4 am. The Sierras are a beautiful place at 2 in the morning.
BobD3 - Oct 4, 2016 8:30 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2016
From camp above Ediza Lake
The snow tongue below the Banner-Ritter saddle was hard on the descent. Took a 150 ft. slide that ended in the rocks, unharmed. Had an axe but didn't take it out of my daypack. Keeping my crampons up saved me from getting flipped. Just rode it out, sun cups and all.
Pretty effing stupid but the lesson was well learned.
Deb - Aug 14, 2016 1:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2016
Ritter-Banner Saddle
A weekend and I had the peak to myself?! Great day hike climb enhanced by nice snow conditions in chute. Easy scramble to summit on relatively stable rock, not sure what others are complaining about. Long day thanks to blisters...
cab - Aug 8, 2016 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2016
From Ritter-Banner Saddle
The first 2/3 of the climb isn't great, but it gets pretty fun towards the top. Climbed Ritter afterwards.
Romain - Jul 12, 2016 7:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2014
mengbo - Jul 5, 2016 2:02 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2016
From Ediza Lake
3-day backpacking trip with Jean. we summited on day-2.
Fairweather - Oct 25, 2015 10:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 1980
From Banner Riter saddle
During backpacking loop from Minaret Lake.
With Larry.
The descent down from the saddle on hard snow required a nice self arrest by Larry after a wild ride.
A fine route indeed! The route is obvious as you approach and after a not too loose approach to the glacier you get a sweet snow/ice slope up a cool and narrow chute to the saddle. Conditions were firm in the morning but the sun softened it all up nice. Great views from the top and an excellent climb!
farristj - Aug 14, 2014 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2014
Banner Peak
Tough climb from Ediza lake class 3. Mandatory ice axe and crampons. Very dangerous up the chute boulder fell all the way down the glacier could have easily killed someone. Class 2 scramble from saddle. Had an awesome climb in all but a bit scary as well!!!
CWessels - Aug 8, 2014 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2014
West Slope from Catherine
There's a fun class 3 section just south of the main scree gully that leads to the summit. The rock quality wasn't nearly as poor as I expected it to be.
Beautiful clear day on the east side. Started from Thousand Island. Headed to Lake Catherine and up the ridge quite a ways before getting on the snow field. Beautiful views from the summit and off by 11am. Thunder & lightening to the west by 2pm!
JeremiahJohnson - Oct 27, 2013 11:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Loved it
Did this as a side trip on a JMT thru hike that included lots of extra peaks. Decided to climb it spur of the moment after seeing it in person (how could you not?!?). Approach via 1000 Island Lakes. Took a slightly different route down that got into some (not so fun) class 4 down climbing. Wish I had time to do Ritter too. Next time...
orbitor - Aug 20, 2013 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2013
Ritter-Banner Saddle from Ediza Lake
Successful second attempt two years after failed first. Following climb of Ritter the previous day, this was supposed to be easier, but the couloir leading to the saddle is STEEP. Talus hop and class 3 climbing to summit were tiring, but the views were incredible. Perfect weather made it that much more memorable. Descending the couloir in soft snow entailed some tense moments, but everyone cleared it safely. Hiked back out to Agnew Meadows the same afternoon.
Donno - Aug 13, 2013 11:55 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2002
From Saddle
Climbed from the Ritter-Banner Saddle w/ Laura
GlennD - Jun 3, 2013 2:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2013
Gorgeous Views!
Beautiful climb of Banner from Ediza. Great conditions made for an awesome day.
Snowslogger - Dec 7, 2023 1:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 1987
From Banner-Ritter SaddleStarted hiking up after driving all night from Socal and felt off from the drive and lack of sleep. Went up Banner, but decided to bail on climbing Ritter. The volcanic rock was more like that I was used to in the Cascades and Olympics than the nice Sierra granite!
colingregory - Jul 11, 2022 2:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2022
BackpackDay 4 of our Sierra High Route trip. We woke early enough and headed around the north side of Lake Catherine. Ascended the NE glacier with crampons and axes before turning our tools and attention on the slightly more difficult glacier portion to access Ritter's North Face Route. Once on the route, I followed Mike's path and instructions when needed. The climbing remained 3rd class but for me it was both chossy and exposed. Just when I felt I was reaching my breaking point I heard Mike announce "we're at the top" and as I turned the final corner I was relieved to see he wasn't pulling my leg. I had made it up! First laid eyes on this beast from the 2019 JMT hike, so stoked to be able to come back and summit. We descended without issue and then slogged up Banner's talus field to its summit. A great day in the mountains I will never forget.
YEM - Jul 27, 2020 12:27 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2020
Nydiver Lakes and Banner/Ritter SaddleNydiver might be one of the best lake basins I've ever seen. No one was one the mountain, maybe because this was the last week of the road closure, covid or the horrid snow conditions above the saddle. After making it to the summit of Banner and busting so many post holes, I noticed Ritter's summit ledge completely covered in the same slushy snow. That sealed the deal that this trip would only include one summit. I'll be back for a return trip for Ritter sooner rather than later. On the plus side, the glissade from the saddle extended nearly 1800 ft!
Hyadventure - Nov 14, 2018 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2018
Southern slopesSome off route class three. We should have just climbed the snow.
Snowman of Annapurna - Jan 31, 2017 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2014
HailstormGreat first scrambling experience. Got caught in an intense hailstorm on the way down, had to death march 10 miles out to the car, which we reached at 4 am. The Sierras are a beautiful place at 2 in the morning.
BobD3 - Oct 4, 2016 8:30 pm Date Climbed: Sep 10, 2016
From camp above Ediza LakeThe snow tongue below the Banner-Ritter saddle was hard on the descent. Took a 150 ft. slide that ended in the rocks, unharmed. Had an axe but didn't take it out of my daypack. Keeping my crampons up saved me from getting flipped. Just rode it out, sun cups and all.
Pretty effing stupid but the lesson was well learned.
Deb - Aug 14, 2016 1:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2016
Ritter-Banner SaddleA weekend and I had the peak to myself?! Great day hike climb enhanced by nice snow conditions in chute. Easy scramble to summit on relatively stable rock, not sure what others are complaining about. Long day thanks to blisters...
cab - Aug 8, 2016 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2016
From Ritter-Banner SaddleThe first 2/3 of the climb isn't great, but it gets pretty fun towards the top. Climbed Ritter afterwards.
Romain - Jul 12, 2016 7:35 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2014
Ritter-Banner Saddle and West SlopeWith Jerry Nickelsburg. Good climb. Trip report
mengbo - Jul 5, 2016 2:02 am Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2016
From Ediza Lake3-day backpacking trip with Jean. we summited on day-2.
Fairweather - Oct 25, 2015 10:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 14, 1980
From Banner Riter saddleDuring backpacking loop from Minaret Lake.
With Larry.
The descent down from the saddle on hard snow required a nice self arrest by Larry after a wild ride.
wmolland - Jul 20, 2015 9:16 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2015
R-B SaddleA fine route indeed! The route is obvious as you approach and after a not too loose approach to the glacier you get a sweet snow/ice slope up a cool and narrow chute to the saddle. Conditions were firm in the morning but the sun softened it all up nice. Great views from the top and an excellent climb!
farristj - Aug 14, 2014 3:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2014
Banner PeakTough climb from Ediza lake class 3. Mandatory ice axe and crampons. Very dangerous up the chute boulder fell all the way down the glacier could have easily killed someone. Class 2 scramble from saddle. Had an awesome climb in all but a bit scary as well!!!
CWessels - Aug 8, 2014 7:01 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2014
West Slope from CatherineThere's a fun class 3 section just south of the main scree gully that leads to the summit. The rock quality wasn't nearly as poor as I expected it to be.
jonmeek16 - Jul 22, 2014 2:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2014
SuccessBeautiful clear day on the east side. Started from Thousand Island. Headed to Lake Catherine and up the ridge quite a ways before getting on the snow field. Beautiful views from the summit and off by 11am. Thunder & lightening to the west by 2pm!
larrychenshen - May 28, 2014 11:49 pm
summitpost climbers logsummitpost climbers log
JeremiahJohnson - Oct 27, 2013 11:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Loved itDid this as a side trip on a JMT thru hike that included lots of extra peaks. Decided to climb it spur of the moment after seeing it in person (how could you not?!?). Approach via 1000 Island Lakes. Took a slightly different route down that got into some (not so fun) class 4 down climbing. Wish I had time to do Ritter too. Next time...
orbitor - Aug 20, 2013 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2013
Ritter-Banner Saddle from Ediza LakeSuccessful second attempt two years after failed first. Following climb of Ritter the previous day, this was supposed to be easier, but the couloir leading to the saddle is STEEP. Talus hop and class 3 climbing to summit were tiring, but the views were incredible. Perfect weather made it that much more memorable. Descending the couloir in soft snow entailed some tense moments, but everyone cleared it safely. Hiked back out to Agnew Meadows the same afternoon.
Donno - Aug 13, 2013 11:55 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2002
From SaddleClimbed from the Ritter-Banner Saddle w/ Laura
GlennD - Jun 3, 2013 2:24 am Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2013
Gorgeous Views!Beautiful climb of Banner from Ediza. Great conditions made for an awesome day.