yosemite in late July

Heres my delima. I am taking a family vacation to yosemite in late July with my 12 year old son and my girlfriend. We will be doing the regular tourist stuff but i would still like to get in some clmbing. Can anyone send me some suggestions on where to climb? Nothing big and grades up to 5.7 since my son will be following. Does not have to be in the valley and does not even have to be inside the park. Sport trad multi pitch all is fine with me. We will be driving from the bay area so any suggestions in between will also do.

After 6 on Manure Pile Buttress would give your son a taste of multi pitch climbing. The first pitch of Jam Crack, in the Yosemite Falls area, is 5.7, although fairly physical for the grade. From the top of the first pitch of Jam Crack you can string a top rope on the first pitches of Lazy Bum and Bummer, two fun 5.10 finger cracks. You could also do the second pitch of Jam Crack (5.9) and clean it on rappel if your son doesn't want to follow, since the top anchor is bolted. Bishop's Terrace is 5.8 but an excellent climb if your son wants to push his grade a little.

The Valley in July is all about early starts. I usually start around February. But seriously, an early start is mandatory if you want to climb anything in the Super-Topo books, which are all the classics <5.10. If you have not been to the base of climbs, i suggest you find them before hand, some (the Grack) can be tricky.
So, suggestions.
The Grack. Just one of the best climbs around, and 5.6. In July there will be a line by 7am. Climb it at night, great fun.
After 6 (5.7) on manure pile some feel is harder than After 7 (5.8). It certainly has gotten slicker with all the toprope nubes on it. Just to the right is CS Concerto, an easy way to bypass the crowds on the first two pitches of After 6 & 7. Also considered one of the best 5.8 pitches in the valley.
Bishops Terrace is tough for the grade. If 5.7 is really the limit, avoid it.
Knob hill is often overlooked. Full of <5.8, quieter than many areas, less crowded, fun lines for the grade. 'Just for Starters' is many peoples first 5.10. The first move off the ground is 5.10, protected by a bolt, then it is 5.7 the whole way to the top.
Early starts, or climb in the evening when others have burned out.

Munginella (5.6) is an excellent option. It's three beautiful pitches, easy access, nice location, well protected. It's liable to have lines, but if you go fairly early on a weekday it shouldn't be too bad - just kick back and enjoy the location. DO wear helmets. The top is a little rocky and bits get kicked off now and again by parties walking off.

Here's the Mountain Project link: mountainproject.com/v/mungi…

When my kids were 12, they were way more into climbing around unroped, perpetual motion, exploring kind of stuff. I'd recommend heading up to Tenaya Lake and running around on the white slabs, then going for a swim afterwards. Great escape from the baking summer temps in the Valley!

If your crew is OK with a long approach and big exposure, the cable route up Half Dome is unbelievably cool. Google-Image it to see if that's up your alley.

Tenaya Lake would be a great place to spend at least a day. The gf can lounge on the beach at the east end of the lake, and you and your son can run up Great White Book, or try some of the shorter routes on Stately Pleasure Dome and/or the adjacent domes. If you do go for this option, note that Great White Book is very low angle, not hard at all, but the runouts can be long.

I was in Yosemite last July with my wife and kids. Over 100 degrees in the valley. Did Middle Cathedral with 6 liters of water in my backpack (which wasn't even enough for that time/day with 2 people) and immediately after decided to bail to the high country. Plus the crowds in the Valley can be a bit overwhelming.

We went up to Tuolumne and it was perfect. Campsites were available, cold weather at night, awesome climbing, hiking, etc.

My recommendation would be to take your son up Cathedral Peak. That would be an awesome experience for a 12 yr old.

Northwest Books, Lembert Dome
Boltway, Stately Pleasure
The Tree, Pywiack
Shagadelic, Dozier Dome

I did all these routes with my kids when they were 12 and under. All great, safe with easy walk offs.

mark felber wrote:If you do go for this option, note that Great White Book is very low angle, not hard at all, but the runouts.... are huge.

Swan Slab area is very close to everything and has many short easy to hard routes. It is a fun area that will give you a good feel for the Yosemite granite.