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NORTHERN SIERRA PEAKS GUIDE

by Petesthousandpeaks

Explanations

The standard Yosemite Decimal Rating System is used with these descriptions. The technical difficulty of the easiest route to climb to the summit is given by a numeric rating, from 1 to 6.

Class 1: Hiking, mainly trail or easy cross-country.

Class 2: Scrambling, with hands occasionally used for balance.

Class 3: Basic climbing, with hands used to grip the rock. A rope may be necessary for the beginner.

Class 4: More advanced rock climbing, with a rope highly advisable. Basic climbing technique is required.

Class 5: Serious rock climbing, rated from 5.0 to currently 5.15d. Ropes and hardware are required for safety.

Class 6: Aid climbing with climbing hardware required to secure one to a fixed position.

This Guide addresses peaks requiring class 4 ability, or less, to reach the summit. No major highpoints in this area require greater than class 4 climbing, generally speaking. There are plenty of rock climbing guidebooks to detail the many fine rock climbs in this area.

These technical ratings do not address the level of effort needed to reach the top. That is conveyed in the form of the Trip Stats, which suggest the distance and vertical gain covered in traveling from the start point to the summit, either one-way or round trip

The mileages given may not be exact, as odometer performance varies from vehicle to vehicle, and the hiking distances are calculated from maps and times. Perhaps a 10% error may be allowed in the driving distances, with up to a 20% error allowed in the hiking and climbing figures. Beeline navigation is assumed in these estimates. Side trips will generally add more to these statistics. Soon to be, I may use my Apple Watch to obtain better stats, if I am able to repeat these climbs.

Topographic maps, with the unfailing ability to use them, are assumed to be understood. Various methods for obtaining a printed, or electronic, map copy are available. A detailed topographic map for the immediate area, and the wider, surrounding area, should be carried and used. A compass, GPS device, and other navigation instruments can be very helpful. Signal coverage for cell phones varies. Often there is no signal reception or transmission possible. Consult your provider coverage map, to determine reception for what area or summit for which you may seek to climb or travel.

In the event of any possibility of injury or other immobilization, a personal locator beacon or satellite messenger is essential. They are widely available online.

Winter Ski Ascent information is included for highly skilled, competent, and experienced users. Unusually tremendous strength and talent, plus proper equipment, complement the safer enjoyment of winter travel.

Warning: Persons have been buried and killed by avalanches in this area. Use extreme caution when traveling on, above, or below, suspect snow slopes. Please check the current backcountry avalanche conditions postings, and please do heed them!

**For the purposes of this free distribution of climbing information, the user is allowed one (1) full copy to be printed, or saved to memory, of each peak description intended to be followed. No further printing, saving, publication, or copying, except for a similar, one (1) full copy, of any update or revision, is allowed without the express, written permission of the author of this guide.

Updates, revisions, or additions are made as opportunity allows. Please check the PTP Latest Peaks Adventures webpage section for any reports of recent visits to the peak, routes, or trailheads. Currently, if the peak has not been climbed and reported on those pages, it will have generally been prior to the date of the last peak or hiking account shown, or further in the past, that any checking, updating, or modifications to the route descriptions were made.

Road and trail signs will disappear or be replaced, so please take note. I do list them as we find them, but over the years, changes do get made. This may be confusing to the novice hiker, and you may have to figure things out. I urge everyone to carry and use a good map, or other display device, as a navigation back-up, instead of expecting signs to tell you which way to go!

Updates, revisions, and additions will be continually made to this Guide, as I am able.

Advisory to the user: Intent to access the information here for malicious purpose may result in liability and even criminal prosecution. The User hereby agrees to accept full responsibility and liability for all pursuant legal and investigative costs incurred by a legally proper determination of such.

For the direction of comments and questions, e-mail, to initiate for a live chat session, to the Thousand Peaks Club Facebook page.

UNDERSTOOD, AGREED, AND CONTINUE

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