Steve Scandore starting up the first pitch of the direct (5.8) start for Whitney's East Buttress Route. The route ascends towards the obvious left-facing dihedral high on the buttress. Below the dihedral the route goes wherever you find the climbing easiest and/or most pleasant. Then it follows the dihedral to the top of the tower. While it is possible to set up a belay in the lower dihedral, there is a much better belay ledge off to the right. The first ascent route started down and to climber's right of this start, worked up a corner, and then followed fourth class terrain around the back of the tower to its top.