OverviewJust half a mile south of the Kings-Kern Divide, this is the 21st to 25th highest** peak in California. It has a fine view to the south, over the upper Kern River basin. Junction Pk. 1.4 miles west, and Mt. Stanford 1.1 miles north are both a little higher than Caltech.
It is class 2 (with a brief class 3 section?) when climbed by the southeast slopes, class 3 by the east ridge.
It was voted onto the Sierra Peaks Section Peaks List this year, 2008, making it the newest addition as the 248th peak.
The elevation is often listed as 13832 Ft., but the USGS says it's 13802 and I guess they ought to know. But if you download the Mount Brewer quad from the USGS Map Store, it shows an elevation of 4216 meters (13832 ft.) - so maybe they're not so sure.
** depending on which list and what elevation you useUnder ConstructionJust getting started, so I can add this to the SPS Peaks list on summitpost - HEY where did it go???.
I will add more stuff after I climb Caltech at the end of May 2008. Please be patient.Getting There Most "easily" approached via Shepherd Pass, around the south end of Diamond Mesa, to the JMT.Red TapeBeing in Sequoia National Park, Caltech Pk. is subject to the usual SEKI National Park regulations, requiring advance camping permits, protection of food from bears, low impact camping, etc. - see my SEKI Red Tape section
HEREEtymology & History Like other peaks in the area, i.e. Trojan (USC), Stanford, and University (UC Berkeley), this name follows an College theme. Being the highest unnamed point in the area, it was chosen in 1961 by Rick Jali (later the 1967 SPS chair), Jim Eder, and Ted Mathes to be climbed and named as "Caltech Peak". These guys made the 3rd recorded ascent in June 1961 and obtained approval of the Caltech name from the US Dept. of the Interior. The name became offical Dec. 14, 1961. The first East Ridge ascent was by Smatko, Erb, Ross, and MacLeod, who comprised 4 of the 5 first SPS list finishers. It was voted down by the SPS for addition to the SPS Peaks List in 1979 and 1997, but passed in 2008 by a vote of 47 to 34. First ascent by Norman Clyde, June 22 1926. LinksA very nice trip report with some historical background is HERE
USGS Caltech Peak page is HERE
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Kings-Kern Divide
