Top roped climbing is great way to start, but after a while one gets the yen to get higher off horizontal ground and up where the views extend far and the trees look smaller. On a multi-pitch route you get into the flow of moving over rock for pitch after pitch and becoming more one with the entire experience.

Locations
For this adventure we have chosen Crystal Crag out of Mammoth. This is not just a multi-pitch climb, but also a real summit to top out on with an approach of about an hour on a well-maintained trail through fragrant high-elevation forest.

Itinerary
We travel to the Lake George parking area in the Lakes Basin at 9160 feet. The trail up to Crystal Lake is easy and gains about 500 feet in a little over a mile. We take a short break here and then a couple of hundred more feet of climbing founds us at the base of Crystal Crag and the start of the climbing.

Here we will review knots, tying in and the basic skills. Then we will talk about gear and equipment to make sure you to understand the fundamentals of a multi-pitch climb and how to remove and carry the anchors and protection placements. Then we get into the climbing! The route starts of steeply with two pitches of 5.6 climbing and then enters the unique crystal band of gleaming white quartz. The route eases after this and we move along the firm rock of the ridge to the pointed summit. Here we enjoy the expansive view over the Lakes Basin and Mammoth Mountain before descending the ridge back to our packs.

Instructors
Our guides are American Mountain Guides Association trained so you can expect the highest level of climbing and safety knowledge combined with solid instructional skills and professionalism.

Notes
The best guidebooks are “The Good, The Great and the Awesome” by Peter Croft or Mammoth Area Rock Climbs.
Get them from Maximus Press

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