North American Classic Climbs

Leaning Tower

West Face (Harding Route)

Description

Climbers*

Photo*

Date

06W01

06W01

Leaning Tower and Bridalveil Falls from the north.

-

GC

5/75

06X06

06X06

The lower West Face from the approach. (The waterfall across the valley is not vertical - it flows down a ramp. Note the trees on the rim.)

-

GC

5/75

06W03

06W03

Looking down to the belay from part-way up pitch 1. The climb starts from the tree on a bolt ladder.

RB

GC

5/75

06W05

06W05

Looking across the face to the north from pitch 1. The spray of Bridalveil Falls forms the small rainbow.

-

GC

5/75

06W06

06W06

Hauling the bag, pitch 1. The climber's face is just visible as he begins the strenuous jumar to clean the pitch. The green haul bag way out from the wall defines the vertical.

RB

GC

5/75

06W08

06W08

Cleaning pitch 1. Lots of bolts on a monolithic face.

RB

GC

5/75

06W11

06W11

Getting started on pitch 5 the next day - the best pitch of the route.

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GC

5/75

06W12

06W12

Looking back to the belay from near the end of pitch 5.

RB

GC

5/75

06W13

06W13

Cleaning pitch 5 - Ahwahnee Ledge visible to the left (bivouac site.)

RB

GC

5/75

06W14

06W14

Looking down from the base of the bolt traverse.

RB

GC

5/75

06W15

06W15

Leading the Harding bolt traverse , pitch 6.

GC

RB

5/75

06W16

06W16

Cleaning pitch 7.

RB

GC

5/75

06W17

06W17

Looking across the wall from pitch 7 to the south.

-

GC

5/75

06W18

06W18

The traverse pitch high on the wall (#8.)

RB

GC

5/75

06W19

06W19

Leading the last pitch, still very overhanging (note haul line.)

GC

RB

5/75

06W20

06W20

Standing on the summit of the Leaning Tower.

GC

RB

5/75

06X05

06X05

Rappelling down the back side to begin the descent.

RB

GC

5/75

06X02

06X02

Climbing back up the back (SE) side of Leaning Tower after a bivouac at Bridalveil Creek.

RB

GC

5/75

06X04

06X04

Looking up at the tower from the descent gully.

-

GC

5/75