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| Southeast Ridge   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: California, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 37.09300°N / 118.545°W Route Type: Mountaineering, Trad Climbing Time Required: Less than two hours Rock Difficulty: 5.4 (YDS)
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| Page By: JD Created/Edited: Sep 7, 2005 / Feb 6, 2008 Object ID: 166664 Hits: 1276 Loading... Page Score: 86.36% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
ApproachThe easiest approach is to start from South Lake and go over Bishop Pass into Dusy Basin. Gain the ridge near Isosceles Pass -- the low point between Isosceles Peak and Columbine Peak -- either from the lake north of Isosceles Peak or from the basin southwest of the peak (class 2). One could also climb up to Isosceles Pass from the Palisade Basin side.
Route DescriptionFollow the ridge, staying to the right at first, and pass over two false summits. A "diving board" boulder that comprises the true summit eventually comes into view seperated from the second false summit by a notch.
Drop down into the right side of the notch via a short ramp to an alcove that is next to an amazing rock window:
Photo by Clydascope
From the north side of the window, make an exposed step right into a left facing corner and climb up about 25 feet (5.4) past a detached block to a ledge. Scramble to an alcove and then mantel onto a flake and traverse for several feet to a flat boulder at the base of the "diving board". The tip of the diving board is the top.
Reverse the route.
Essential GearGear requirements are a function of one's skill and willingness to accept risk. Conservatively, a short thin rope (80 feet) and a light rack (up to 2") including a few tiny stoppers is advisable. If planning to rappel from near the summit, a slightly longer rope may be required. Be aware of the loose rock.
Early season conditions might demand an ice axe, but crampons are not likely necessary.
Summit TriviaWhen viewed from the lake (11,300') just west-northwest of the peak, Isosceles Peak indeed appears to live up to its name as a beautiful symmetric triangle:
Photo by SSSdave
From a little further up the hill towards Bishop Pass, however, the more complex shape of the little peak becomes apparent:
Photo by sierratrekkin
The routes on the West Face and Southwest Buttress end atop the triangle, but not on the actual summit. The highpoint is somewhat to the southeast -- an odd perched diving board of a boulder.
A traverse from the west summit to the true summit appears to be at least class 4, and probably more difficult than approaching from the southeast.
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Palisades
