Eichorn Pinnacle (Sierra Nevada; ~10,800')

Technically, Eichorn Pinnacle is a subsidiary summit spire of Cathedral Peak, and is often climbed in conjunction with the latter. The easiest route is the North Face, a climb that is very short and easy, but extremely impressive. Topo Map Routes: North Face (I, 5.4) References: supertopo.com	Eichorn Pinnacle in late August from near Cathedral Lakes

Date: August 26, 2006

Party: Dietrich and Paul Belitz

Route: North Face

Equipment: Alpine rack to Camalot #3

Time: 45 mins from the base of the pinnacle

Comments: We climbed this in conjunction with Cathedral Peak

Trip report:

The downclimb from Cathedral Peak deposited Paul and me right at the base of Eichorn Pinnacle, so the obvious thing to do was to climb it, especially since we had had to give up the year before.

I led the exposed traverse around the north side of the spire until the blank wall above gave way to a blocky, structured face. I could not see any of the promised pins, but I surmised that I was at the small belay stance the topo talks about. Paul led the next and final pitch, found the pins, and soon arrived at the summit. The climbing is very good on 5.4 jugs; a 5.8-ish looking hand crack takes a cam for protection but does not have to be climbed, it is easily circumvented on the left.

We spent some time on the summit admiring the views, and then rappelled back down to the notch. There is a good rap anchor in place, but take some webbing in case the backup sling has aged. Then we scrambled down to the trail and hiked out past Fairview Dome.

This is indeed one of the most impressive 5.4s on the planet!