Wheelbarrow - Mar 19, 2024 8:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 16, 2018
Sufferfest Weekend Round #3129
I was in college at the time and it was my closest friend at-the-time's 21st birthday on Sunday. I drove 6 hours through the night and started hiking at 8:30am on Friday. Being the true idiot I am, I bivyed in the moraine field below Shepherd's Pass out of pure exhaustion (was my first winter bivy experience too). Summitted via the NW ridge right at sunset on Saturday and got back to the car at 6am and through sheer will made it back for my friend's birthday by, I'm pretty sure, late afternoon. It helped that I had a crush on her. Thank you for reading my "Oh, to be young again" type story.
Foothill Rd Washout - Alternate Route to Trailhead via 34E402
TH can be reached via 34E402 which is a 4x4 trail just below Symmes Creek. It is a rough trail that has bushes that may scratch your vehicle as well as some rocks that can be avoided with the ground clearance of an SUV or truck. There is an easy water crossing that may be died up in the next few weeks as well. We did it in a 2wd Tundra in about an hour with several spots we had to get out and help the driver and/or move branches out of the way.
mElliott47-2 - Jun 1, 2022 4:07 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2022
Pretty pretty (solo)
Super rad place. Original plan was to do Williamson the following day but combination of going out too hot, and feeling the altitude meant that I didn't think I had enough margin to do it safely so decided to bail.
Started just below the trailhead (NOTE: road wasn't as bad as I was expecting but was a little sandy for me to comfortably get my old sprinter out there. Could easily make it with mid-clearance/ some friends to help push. Orrr bonus miles for the win) at 06h, and was at shepherd's pass at 12h10. Was off of Tyndal via North Rib by 17h (after lunch and a break). Was starting to feel the altitude pretty hard, so after dinner decided to bail from the plan of doing Williamson the next day, and headed back down to lower altitude. Ended up getting a good second wind so made it all the way back to just after the initial switchbacks. Quick ~4mi hike out Sunday morning.
Need to come back for Williamson but great weather and great views! Water flowing everywhere/ super light snowpack. Did almost the whole thing on 1L carrying capacity after loosing a water bottle during some light scrambling ($$ reward for correcting my shame at leaving trash, a yellow capped smart-watter bottle somewhere up there :( )
Summitted over July 4th week as part of a 6 day trip:
14'er Traverse Backpacking trip starting at Tuttle Creek [day 1]-> Traversed to Mount Langley -[day 2]> through Sky blue lake area [day 3] -> partial JMT/PCT trail [day 4] -> Mount Williamson [day 5]-> Mount Tyndall -> out Shepard's pass [day 6] in 6 days. Two of the group added Whitney/Muir on day 3 and met us the beginning of day 4.
No water source from Tuttle Creek (besides the first mile) to the summit of Langley (found puddles of water inside rocks). No hiking snow around Williamson/Tyndall. Spotted some snow around Tyndall. Tyndall felt harder than Williamson (more exposed on the ridge ...probably because I aimed for the wrong ridge).
I walked the granite slab up and hiked down, but it was very exposed and crazy scary.
Hardest backpacking trip I've ever done (especially the first two days), but so rewarding mentally and physically.
Diesel - Aug 29, 2020 9:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2020
North Rib
Day hike from Shepherd Pass Trail Head. A big shout to those who built and maintain this trail to Shepherd Pass. It is not the easiest trail to hike on, but it is in good shape. I hope same people will pay attention to the Red Lake trail. As far as summiting Tyndall, the North Rib has nothing to qualify it as class 3. More like class 2 scramble. As far as finding the "gate", I had absolutely no issue going right to it: it is visible from most of the ascent, especially when getting close to it. The summit block though is not an easy rock to stand on. Long hike (27 miles) and long day (14:30 hours - 4:30 AM to 7:00 PM)
wmolland - Aug 21, 2020 9:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2020
North rib
A nice romp up the north rib. Got back to camp as the skies opened.
Fletch - Oct 3, 2019 8:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2019
east rib
awesome day
ratz - Sep 26, 2019 7:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
Tyndall August 2018
Summitted in three day backpacking trip with my girlfriend. Camped at Anvil. It was a great campspot with lots of tree cover and a lot of spots, but there was an enormous group there. They must have ignored permits, there were like 30 of them.
Day 2, we summited via the North Rib. After summitting, we traversed the ridge over to the class 2 northwest ridge to go down.
The northwest ridge, I will admit is not that steep, but the rocks are smaller and more like talus most the way, it didn't feel very solid, and the ridge you cross to get from the summit to the northwest ridge is a little sketchy... especially if you are looking for an easy way down for those who are not comfortable with class 3+... I'd just be careful here.
Guilty - Sep 11, 2019 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2019
From Williamson and back to Anvil
Long 10 hour day for both summits of Williamson and Tyndall. Stop at one of the glacier lakes for a quick dip in. Very refreshing for the second climb and get back to Anvil Camp.
Stick to the spine, if you go too far to the right there are no good holds and the rock is smooth and slippery. The spine has good holds all the way to the top. Once I neared the top I went in from one notch to the right of the "gate" but not an issue because once on the ridge it is simple boulder hopping...the other side is a nice gradual slope. I took the "gate" down and wondered how I had missed it...
Solo // North Rib took my red/grey OR jacket as summit sacrifice
Ascended/descended via the North Rib. On the way up, I stayed left until 300' below the ridge, and then traversed right onto the slabs. Ended up gaining the ridge via the *right* notch, not the left - I didn't find it very exposed, definitely not 5th class. Descended on the slabs on climber's right for a smooth walk down. Sticky rubber helps a lot here.
Per the heading, I also lost my lucky red OR windshell somewhere along the rib/summit ridge. Jacket was stuffed into its own pocket, so it'll appear grey and rectangular. If you find it, I'll be super grateful - please PM me for return deets + postage + [your favorite baked goodies].
[UPDATE - my jacket has been found! Muchos gracias to SP user 0ddball.]
Ben FR - Feb 6, 2018 10:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
NW Rib
This was a bit of a heartbreak for me. I attempted to solo day hike Tyndall's NW Rib from Owens Valley via Shepherd's Pass and failed. Hit the trailhead at 2:55am, made it to the pass by 7:30am. Got to the base of the rib and made my way up the class 3 rib. At ~13,400' I encountered a pretty exposed slabby section that made me uncomfortable. Looking up toward the crest of the rib I noticed a large icy section that I heard was the crux of the route. Given my discomfort with the slabs at ~13,400' I decided to call it quits. ~24.5 miles and 11hr27 min (car to car) for a failed attempt. All this being said it was a great day out in the mountains.
wdimpfl - Dec 22, 2017 5:45 am Date Climbed: Feb 15, 1970
Winter Ascent
Date uncertain. Several climbers, including Louis Reichardt, Jim Morrisy, Kathy Licking, and women climbers that would later be on the first all women's ascent of the Denali West Buttress route, hiked up the trail to camp in the snow east of Shepards pass. The next day we climbed the snow on the north face of Mt. Tyndall. The summit register indicated that there had been a previous winter ascent. On descent one of the women, Dana, lost her footing and fell from high on the north face to the snowfield below the face. She was later evacuated by helicopter.
utclimber - Aug 17, 2017 10:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2017
Williamson/Tyndall dayhike
Started at Shepherd pass trailhead a little after 2am. First climbed Williamson and then Tyndall on the return towards Shepherd pass. Back to the car around 9pm.
Harvest - Aug 15, 2017 3:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2016
Straightforward route-finding and quality rock. Enjoyed taking every opportunity to scamper up slabs instead of hopping over talus. Very easy day from Shepherd Pass.
Super Dave - Sep 3, 2016 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2016
North Rib
The north rib was the most enjoyable route we climbed during a 5 day trip with Boisedoc. Really fun scramble. Trip Report
boisedoc - Aug 30, 2016 12:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2016
north rib
after getting turned back on the Northwest ridge 16 years ago due to route finding issues, I was able to get back to summit this peak. The north rib is MUCH more straightforward than the northwest ridge. Overall a fun route that is class 3 at worst (and probably class 2 by Sierra standards). Good times with SuperDave.
Wheelbarrow - Mar 19, 2024 8:28 pm Date Climbed: Feb 16, 2018
Sufferfest Weekend Round #3129I was in college at the time and it was my closest friend at-the-time's 21st birthday on Sunday. I drove 6 hours through the night and started hiking at 8:30am on Friday. Being the true idiot I am, I bivyed in the moraine field below Shepherd's Pass out of pure exhaustion (was my first winter bivy experience too). Summitted via the NW ridge right at sunset on Saturday and got back to the car at 6am and through sheer will made it back for my friend's birthday by, I'm pretty sure, late afternoon. It helped that I had a crush on her. Thank you for reading my "Oh, to be young again" type story.
AdventureUSA - Sep 19, 2022 5:03 pm Date Climbed: Sep 17, 2022
Foothill Rd Washout - Alternate Route to Trailhead via 34E402TH can be reached via 34E402 which is a 4x4 trail just below Symmes Creek. It is a rough trail that has bushes that may scratch your vehicle as well as some rocks that can be avoided with the ground clearance of an SUV or truck. There is an easy water crossing that may be died up in the next few weeks as well. We did it in a 2wd Tundra in about an hour with several spots we had to get out and help the driver and/or move branches out of the way.
mElliott47-2 - Jun 1, 2022 4:07 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2022
Pretty pretty (solo)Super rad place. Original plan was to do Williamson the following day but combination of going out too hot, and feeling the altitude meant that I didn't think I had enough margin to do it safely so decided to bail.
Started just below the trailhead (NOTE: road wasn't as bad as I was expecting but was a little sandy for me to comfortably get my old sprinter out there. Could easily make it with mid-clearance/ some friends to help push. Orrr bonus miles for the win) at 06h, and was at shepherd's pass at 12h10. Was off of Tyndal via North Rib by 17h (after lunch and a break). Was starting to feel the altitude pretty hard, so after dinner decided to bail from the plan of doing Williamson the next day, and headed back down to lower altitude. Ended up getting a good second wind so made it all the way back to just after the initial switchbacks. Quick ~4mi hike out Sunday morning.
Need to come back for Williamson but great weather and great views! Water flowing everywhere/ super light snowpack. Did almost the whole thing on 1L carrying capacity after loosing a water bottle during some light scrambling ($$ reward for correcting my shame at leaving trash, a yellow capped smart-watter bottle somewhere up there :( )
thebetawoman - Apr 5, 2022 6:48 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2021
14'er TraverseSummitted over July 4th week as part of a 6 day trip:
14'er Traverse Backpacking trip starting at Tuttle Creek [day 1]-> Traversed to Mount Langley -[day 2]> through Sky blue lake area [day 3] -> partial JMT/PCT trail [day 4] -> Mount Williamson [day 5]-> Mount Tyndall -> out Shepard's pass [day 6] in 6 days. Two of the group added Whitney/Muir on day 3 and met us the beginning of day 4.
No water source from Tuttle Creek (besides the first mile) to the summit of Langley (found puddles of water inside rocks). No hiking snow around Williamson/Tyndall. Spotted some snow around Tyndall. Tyndall felt harder than Williamson (more exposed on the ridge ...probably because I aimed for the wrong ridge).
I walked the granite slab up and hiked down, but it was very exposed and crazy scary.
Hardest backpacking trip I've ever done (especially the first two days), but so rewarding mentally and physically.
Diesel - Aug 29, 2020 9:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2020
North RibDay hike from Shepherd Pass Trail Head. A big shout to those who built and maintain this trail to Shepherd Pass. It is not the easiest trail to hike on, but it is in good shape. I hope same people will pay attention to the Red Lake trail. As far as summiting Tyndall, the North Rib has nothing to qualify it as class 3. More like class 2 scramble. As far as finding the "gate", I had absolutely no issue going right to it: it is visible from most of the ascent, especially when getting close to it. The summit block though is not an easy rock to stand on. Long hike (27 miles) and long day (14:30 hours - 4:30 AM to 7:00 PM)
wmolland - Aug 21, 2020 9:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2020
North ribA nice romp up the north rib. Got back to camp as the skies opened.
Fletch - Oct 3, 2019 8:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2019
east ribawesome day
ratz - Sep 26, 2019 7:10 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2018
Tyndall August 2018Summitted in three day backpacking trip with my girlfriend. Camped at Anvil. It was a great campspot with lots of tree cover and a lot of spots, but there was an enormous group there. They must have ignored permits, there were like 30 of them.
Day 2, we summited via the North Rib. After summitting, we traversed the ridge over to the class 2 northwest ridge to go down.
The northwest ridge, I will admit is not that steep, but the rocks are smaller and more like talus most the way, it didn't feel very solid, and the ridge you cross to get from the summit to the northwest ridge is a little sketchy... especially if you are looking for an easy way down for those who are not comfortable with class 3+... I'd just be careful here.
Guilty - Sep 11, 2019 12:08 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2019
From Williamson and back to AnvilLong 10 hour day for both summits of Williamson and Tyndall. Stop at one of the glacier lakes for a quick dip in. Very refreshing for the second climb and get back to Anvil Camp.
triyoda - Sep 10, 2019 8:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2018
CA Class 3If Shepard pass wasn't enough of a ball buster, this was pretty challenging for Class 3.
socalpeakbagger - Sep 23, 2018 9:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2018
North RibStick to the spine, if you go too far to the right there are no good holds and the rock is smooth and slippery. The spine has good holds all the way to the top. Once I neared the top I went in from one notch to the right of the "gate" but not an issue because once on the ridge it is simple boulder hopping...the other side is a nice gradual slope. I took the "gate" down and wondered how I had missed it...
mtnpanda - Jul 2, 2018 11:23 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2018
Solo // North Rib took my red/grey OR jacket as summit sacrificeAscended/descended via the North Rib. On the way up, I stayed left until 300' below the ridge, and then traversed right onto the slabs. Ended up gaining the ridge via the *right* notch, not the left - I didn't find it very exposed, definitely not 5th class. Descended on the slabs on climber's right for a smooth walk down. Sticky rubber helps a lot here.
Per the heading, I also lost my lucky red OR windshell somewhere along the rib/summit ridge. Jacket was stuffed into its own pocket, so it'll appear grey and rectangular. If you find it, I'll be super grateful - please PM me for return deets + postage + [your favorite baked goodies].
[UPDATE - my jacket has been found! Muchos gracias to SP user 0ddball.]
Ben FR - Feb 6, 2018 10:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
NW RibThis was a bit of a heartbreak for me. I attempted to solo day hike Tyndall's NW Rib from Owens Valley via Shepherd's Pass and failed. Hit the trailhead at 2:55am, made it to the pass by 7:30am. Got to the base of the rib and made my way up the class 3 rib. At ~13,400' I encountered a pretty exposed slabby section that made me uncomfortable. Looking up toward the crest of the rib I noticed a large icy section that I heard was the crux of the route. Given my discomfort with the slabs at ~13,400' I decided to call it quits. ~24.5 miles and 11hr27 min (car to car) for a failed attempt. All this being said it was a great day out in the mountains.
wdimpfl - Dec 22, 2017 5:45 am Date Climbed: Feb 15, 1970
Winter AscentDate uncertain. Several climbers, including Louis Reichardt, Jim Morrisy, Kathy Licking, and women climbers that would later be on the first all women's ascent of the Denali West Buttress route, hiked up the trail to camp in the snow east of Shepards pass. The next day we climbed the snow on the north face of Mt. Tyndall. The summit register indicated that there had been a previous winter ascent. On descent one of the women, Dana, lost her footing and fell from high on the north face to the snowfield below the face. She was later evacuated by helicopter.
utclimber - Aug 17, 2017 10:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2017
Williamson/Tyndall dayhikeStarted at Shepherd pass trailhead a little after 2am. First climbed Williamson and then Tyndall on the return towards Shepherd pass. Back to the car around 9pm.
Harvest - Aug 15, 2017 3:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2016
NW RibSolo climb from the JMT. Class 3.
ljwoodw - Jul 10, 2017 6:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2017
North Rib from Shepherd PassStraightforward route-finding and quality rock. Enjoyed taking every opportunity to scamper up slabs instead of hopping over talus. Very easy day from Shepherd Pass.
dpsiebert - Sep 5, 2016 11:59 pm
North RibLong dayhike with the Sierra Challenge folks.
Super Dave - Sep 3, 2016 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2016
North RibThe north rib was the most enjoyable route we climbed during a 5 day trip with Boisedoc. Really fun scramble. Trip Report
boisedoc - Aug 30, 2016 12:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2016
north ribafter getting turned back on the Northwest ridge 16 years ago due to route finding issues, I was able to get back to summit this peak. The north rib is MUCH more straightforward than the northwest ridge. Overall a fun route that is class 3 at worst (and probably class 2 by Sierra standards). Good times with SuperDave.