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Elevation: 6,033 ft
GPS: 31.93969, -109.99315
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 48,841 total · 187/month
Shared By: James DeRoussel on Oct 14, 2002 · Updates
Admins: adrian montaƱo, Greg Opland, Brian Boyd, JJ Schlick, Kemper Brightman, Luke Bertelsen

Description Suggest change

Whale Dome is a singular, towering formation in the West Stronghold. It lies just northwest across the drainage from Westworld Dome. The south and east face of Whale Dome are home to a handful of high quality routes. The most well-known route, Moby Dick, may be one of the most climbed routes in the Stronghold.

The rock quality on Whale Dome is very good on established routes. The climbing is extremely fun, with varying terrain and awesome views of the surrounding area. Relatively speaking, routefinding here is not too difficult. There are fixed rap anchors off the west side of the dome.

Getting There Suggest change

From the parking area at the end of the road (Forest Road 687), find the trailhead that leads to the East Stronghold. Do not take the trail, instead take the left of two drainages heading northward.

Hike for about 40 minutes, following this drainage upstream. There is good trail much of the way and the route is marked with cairns. Whale Dome will eventually be visible to your left. When you are almost under the dome, approach up a steep vague drainiage to its base.

8 Total Climbs

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Location: Whale Dome Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Whale Dome

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b X
 10
South Face
Trad 5 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 335
Moby Dick
Trad 6 pitches
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a R
 39
Dem Bones
Trad, Sport 5 pitches
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 20
Blood Brother
Trad 5 pitches
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 13
Call Me Ishmael
Trad 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
South Face
 10
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b X Trad 5 pitches
Moby Dick
 335
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 6 pitches
Dem Bones
 39
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a R Trad, Sport 5 pitches
Blood Brother
 20
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 5 pitches
Call Me Ishmael
 13
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad 2 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Whale Dome »

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