Route Climbed: West slopes Date Climbed: 12 September 2003
Nice hike. We forgot to print the SP page and really had no idea where we were going. We started from the parking lot west of Tioga Pass (mistake #1), and just headed southeast, following game trails through the forest. We headed uphill about a half mile south of the standard route, and walked up the beautiful bowl northwest of the summit before following the surprisingly nice use trail to the summit.
I forgot our exact times, but I think 2:15 up, and maybe 1:45 down, not including an enjoyable lunch on the summit on a windless day. Great summit views in theory, but a bit of smoke/smog on this day.
Route Climbed: Trail from Tioga Pass Entrance Date Climbed: August 16, 2003
We followed the trail that starts south (east) of the Tioga Pass entrance station. The trail is easy to find.
We left around 8.30am and reached the top 12.30pm. After 1 hr at the summit, we started heading back, reaching the trail head at 4. Took one Aspirin and one Ibuprofen. No significant altitude sickness.
After about 1.5 miles and 1500 ft, you reach a plateu. We took a use trail that veers off to left as you look at the summit. You pass a wind shelter on the way. You go all the way to the ridge line and you can look over the ridge to find a nice lake with interesting blue-green colors. Then it's gets hard to find trail. We kinda traversed toward middle and found the trail again.
On going down it's much easier to find the trail. The best one is around the middle.
The views are fantastic. You can see Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes, White Mountain, Lyell, Cathedral Lakes, Dana Meadows, Tuolomne Meadows, Mt Connes, Saddlebag Lake and more...
I found the views better the the views from Mt Whitney summit.
Route Climbed: Standard Route from Tioga Pass Yosemite Entrance Date Climbed: 8/3/03
A great little hike where a modest amount of effort gets you a lot of altitude. The trailhead starts at almost 10,000 feet, right at the base of the mountain, so you're spending most of your efforts climbing the peak instead of hoofing it long distances to get to it. The talus field of rock slabs that forms the summit ridge makes for an interesting climb, as there isn't a defined trail. You pick your way upwards toward the summit. The views from on top are spectacular. Total time from trailhead to summit and back - 3 hours.
Route Climbed: Solstice Coulior Date Climbed: June 22, 2003
Climbed Mt Dana via the Solstice coulior (solo). The coulior was in excellent condition. I was able to kick steps all the way to the top and the snow was very secure. There are still cornices at the top of the coulior, however, there is a break in the center that is 5-6 feet of vertical snow. This is the only section where I used a second axe to get over the top - otherwise, a standard mountaineering axe was all that was needed. Overall, it was a great day and an exhilerating route! I would recommend this route over the Dana coulior if the snow conditions are right and the cornices are manageable.
Matthew Holliman - Dec 13, 2002 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2002
A couple of times
Been up this a couple of times.
It was one of the first Sierra peaks I ever climbed; I hiked it via the standard trail on the way back from a backpacking trip to Darwin Canyon. I had the summit to myself for an hour and a half to locate almost every named feature I could find on my Yosemite park map. Nice views!
Came back over Memorial Day weekend '04 (May 31st to be exact), this time to incorporate the traverse over to Mt. Gibbs. I'd intended to climb Dana Couloir, but I was pretty beat from the previous three days, so instead I just hiked up the NW "Ridge" from Glacier Canyon. Traversed on to Mt. Gibbs and back around via Dana Meadows. Unspectacular but pleasant enough.
Route Climbed: Third Pillar,Regular Route, III 5.10 Date Climbed: Sept. 1997
Bob Cable and I hiked in from Tioga Lake to the pillar, fired the route (first in line) and then continued along the eastern ridge to the summit. We decended down the western trail and back to Tioga lake. An exhausting day, We suffered an acute case of "Danacosis" on the decent. "Third Pillar" is a great route, but summits do matter.
asmrz - Nov 15, 2002 3:00 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 1991
Route Climbed: First Ascent of One That Almost Got Away, IV, 5.10 D, A2+ Date Climbed: Labor Day 1991
Miguel Carmona and I climbed a new route on the Center Headwall of Third Pillar in 1991. The route starts in a right curving dihedral at the base of the Pillar and higher up, follows the knifeblade cracks of the Headwall. The route is very aesthetic and recommended for someone, who already climbed the "Regular Route" and would like to try some free climbing mixed with a bit of aid, on a mini big wall. The 2 knifeblade crack sections could go free at 5.HARD. The setting is "Alpine Rock Par Excellence".
Route Climbed: Third Pillar, Regular Route IV, 5.10A Date Climbed: Labor Day weekend 1984
Miguel Carmona and I climbed the "Regular Route" on Third Pillar in 1984. We thought it was one of the best alpine climbs we have done till then, anywhere. It helps that the route gets harder and harder as one climbs higher. Miguel just came back from doing the "NOSE" on El Capitan and felt the 5.9 pitch at the top, was just out of this world, aesthetically on the level with the Great Roof pitch on El Cap. Of course this was in the years, when 5.9/5.10 was respectable climbing. I read here that people just cruise it nowadays solo, wow...it's on this trip, that Miguel told me about climbing the central Headwall one day (see One that almost got away). I was so afraid of it, that it took us 7 years to do it. The Regular Route is another Eastern Sierra gem that should not be missed by anyone.
Route Climbed: Dana Couloir Date Climbed: September 3rd, 1993
Elena Neubauer and I simo soloed the Dana Couloir in 1993 and scrambled to the top of Mt.Dana. From there we returned to the top of the couloir and followed the crest in westerly direction, back to Dana Plateau and Third Pillar. Elena wanted to see the Pillar from up close. We descended to our camp bellow Dana Couloir, packed the camp and returned to our campsite in Tuolumne Meadows.
Route Climbed: Dana Couloir Date Climbed: November 2, 2002
Fun climb of Dana Couloir. Great weather, but cold. There was a lot of water ice in the couloir, but the bergrschrund was very easily passed. We used an ice tool and a mountaineering axe each, along with six screws and some nuts for belay anchors near the rock. As many people have said, it is very important to go over the summit. It looks like you can follow the broad ridge northwest to the Dana Plateau, but a crumbly cliff behind some pillars blocks your way. Go over the summit!
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 1993 (& previous)
On third trip up this mountain, dropped down the other side to the Gibbs-Dana saddle, and did Gibbs before returning to Tioga Pass. A long solo day (by my standards).
earthchic - Sep 15, 2003 10:07 pm
Route Climbed: NW slope Date Climbed: Sept. 13, 2003Incredible views from the summit. We went the standard route up and descended into Dana Creek on the way back down.
mpbro - Sep 15, 2003 10:51 am
Route Climbed: West slopes Date Climbed: 12 September 2003Nice hike. We forgot to print the SP page and really had no idea where we were going. We started from the parking lot west of Tioga Pass (mistake #1), and just headed southeast, following game trails through the forest. We headed uphill about a half mile south of the standard route, and walked up the beautiful bowl northwest of the summit before following the surprisingly nice use trail to the summit.
I forgot our exact times, but I think 2:15 up, and maybe 1:45 down, not including an enjoyable lunch on the summit on a windless day. Great summit views in theory, but a bit of smoke/smog on this day.
Felsberg - Sep 15, 2003 12:03 am
Route Climbed: NW Slope Date Climbed: Sept 14, 2003Nice simple hike, with great views. So many peaks to climb... PICS
Bill Ott - Aug 31, 2003 10:28 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from Tioga Pass Date Climbed: 1994What an impressive view.
aanami - Aug 21, 2003 12:35 pm
Route Climbed: Trail from Tioga Pass Entrance Date Climbed: August 16, 2003We followed the trail that starts south (east) of the Tioga Pass entrance station. The trail is easy to find.
We left around 8.30am and reached the top 12.30pm. After 1 hr at the summit, we started heading back, reaching the trail head at 4. Took one Aspirin and one Ibuprofen. No significant altitude sickness.
After about 1.5 miles and 1500 ft, you reach a plateu. We took a use trail that veers off to left as you look at the summit. You pass a wind shelter on the way. You go all the way to the ridge line and you can look over the ridge to find a nice lake with interesting blue-green colors. Then it's gets hard to find trail. We kinda traversed toward middle and found the trail again.
On going down it's much easier to find the trail. The best one is around the middle.
The views are fantastic. You can see Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes, White Mountain, Lyell, Cathedral Lakes, Dana Meadows, Tuolomne Meadows, Mt Connes, Saddlebag Lake and more...
I found the views better the the views from Mt Whitney summit.
jstrolin - Aug 15, 2003 2:55 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Route from Tioga Pass Yosemite Entrance Date Climbed: 8/3/03A great little hike where a modest amount of effort gets you a lot of altitude. The trailhead starts at almost 10,000 feet, right at the base of the mountain, so you're spending most of your efforts climbing the peak instead of hoofing it long distances to get to it. The talus field of rock slabs that forms the summit ridge makes for an interesting climb, as there isn't a defined trail. You pick your way upwards toward the summit. The views from on top are spectacular. Total time from trailhead to summit and back - 3 hours.
Sharon - Jul 24, 2003 11:56 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: September 2, 1996Partner: Steve Reynolds
A favorite memory: eating lunch at the top of the slope, admiring the incredible views.
adampaul - Jul 14, 2003 3:17 pm
Route Climbed: Standard NW route Date Climbed: 02 July, 2003Superb views and great weather! Hike report and pics are here.
Hamilton - Jun 25, 2003 11:01 am
Route Climbed: Solstice Coulior Date Climbed: June 22, 2003Climbed Mt Dana via the Solstice coulior (solo). The coulior was in excellent condition. I was able to kick steps all the way to the top and the snow was very secure. There are still cornices at the top of the coulior, however, there is a break in the center that is 5-6 feet of vertical snow. This is the only section where I used a second axe to get over the top - otherwise, a standard mountaineering axe was all that was needed. Overall, it was a great day and an exhilerating route! I would recommend this route over the Dana coulior if the snow conditions are right and the cornices are manageable.
dharmadog - Apr 18, 2003 8:14 pm
Route Climbed: Normal up, traverse( 3-4) to Dana Plateau down Date Climbed: August 2002The Dana Plateau gives great view of north wall and Dana Couloir
ktnbs - Mar 7, 2003 9:40 pm
Route Climbed: normal Date Climbed: August, 1965Standard
Matthew Holliman - Dec 13, 2002 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2002
A couple of timesBeen up this a couple of times.
It was one of the first Sierra peaks I ever climbed; I hiked it via the standard trail on the way back from a backpacking trip to Darwin Canyon. I had the summit to myself for an hour and a half to locate almost every named feature I could find on my Yosemite park map. Nice views!
Came back over Memorial Day weekend '04 (May 31st to be exact), this time to incorporate the traverse over to Mt. Gibbs. I'd intended to climb Dana Couloir, but I was pretty beat from the previous three days, so instead I just hiked up the NW "Ridge" from Glacier Canyon. Traversed on to Mt. Gibbs and back around via Dana Meadows. Unspectacular but pleasant enough.
Eric Tipton - Dec 10, 2002 10:02 pm
Route Climbed: Third Pillar,Regular Route, III 5.10 Date Climbed: Sept. 1997Bob Cable and I hiked in from Tioga Lake to the pillar, fired the route (first in line) and then continued along the eastern ridge to the summit. We decended down the western trail and back to Tioga lake. An exhausting day, We suffered an acute case of "Danacosis" on the decent. "Third Pillar" is a great route, but summits do matter.
asmrz - Nov 15, 2002 3:00 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 1991
Route Climbed: First Ascent of One That Almost Got Away, IV, 5.10 D, A2+ Date Climbed: Labor Day 1991Miguel Carmona and I climbed a new route on the Center Headwall of Third Pillar in 1991. The route starts in a right curving dihedral at the base of the Pillar and higher up, follows the knifeblade cracks of the Headwall. The route is very aesthetic and recommended for someone, who already climbed the "Regular Route" and would like to try some free climbing mixed with a bit of aid, on a mini big wall. The 2 knifeblade crack sections could go free at 5.HARD. The setting is "Alpine Rock Par Excellence".
asmrz - Nov 15, 2002 2:31 pm
Route Climbed: Third Pillar, Regular Route IV, 5.10A Date Climbed: Labor Day weekend 1984Miguel Carmona and I climbed the "Regular Route" on Third Pillar in 1984. We thought it was one of the best alpine climbs we have done till then, anywhere. It helps that the route gets harder and harder as one climbs higher. Miguel just came back from doing the "NOSE" on El Capitan and felt the 5.9 pitch at the top, was just out of this world, aesthetically on the level with the Great Roof pitch on El Cap. Of course this was in the years, when 5.9/5.10 was respectable climbing. I read here that people just cruise it nowadays solo, wow...it's on this trip, that Miguel told me about climbing the central Headwall one day (see One that almost got away). I was so afraid of it, that it took us 7 years to do it. The Regular Route is another Eastern Sierra gem that should not be missed by anyone.
asmrz - Nov 15, 2002 2:17 pm
Route Climbed: Dana Couloir Date Climbed: September 3rd, 1993Elena Neubauer and I simo soloed the Dana Couloir in 1993 and scrambled to the top of Mt.Dana. From there we returned to the top of the couloir and followed the crest in westerly direction, back to Dana Plateau and Third Pillar. Elena wanted to see the Pillar from up close. We descended to our camp bellow Dana Couloir, packed the camp and returned to our campsite in Tuolumne Meadows.
dynoking21 - Nov 4, 2002 10:25 pm
Route Climbed: Dana Couloir Date Climbed: November 2, 2002Fun climb of Dana Couloir. Great weather, but cold. There was a lot of water ice in the couloir, but the bergrschrund was very easily passed. We used an ice tool and a mountaineering axe each, along with six screws and some nuts for belay anchors near the rock. As many people have said, it is very important to go over the summit. It looks like you can follow the broad ridge northwest to the Dana Plateau, but a crumbly cliff behind some pillars blocks your way. Go over the summit!
pilz8 - Sep 11, 2002 5:16 pm
Route Climbed: standard Date Climbed: August 10 2002Nice hike! The view would of been awesome but there was alot of smoke in the air. The whole owens valley was smokey this weekend.
scottyb - Aug 26, 2002 11:06 pm
Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: October 3 1999Climbed with Matt and Dave
mpyle - Aug 10, 2002 2:44 pm
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 1993 (& previous)On third trip up this mountain, dropped down the other side to the Gibbs-Dana saddle, and did Gibbs before returning to Tioga Pass. A long solo day (by my standards).