Middle Cathedral Rock

BETA PHOTO: Middle Catherdral Rock

Description 

Anywhere else in the world, a rock formation the size and quality of Middle Cathedral Rock would be a full-on climbing area in it's own right. It has the unfortunate problem of residing right across the road from THE ROCK (El Capitan), however. Still, Middle Cathedral has some excellent, long free routes on it that are well worth checking out. The most popular route on MCR is probably The East Buttress (5.9 A0 or 10c), included in the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. The next most trafficed route is probably Central Pillar of Frenzy (5.9), a nice crack line to the right of the East Butt (most parties climb five pitches and then rappel).

Warning: Some rockfall has occurred on MCR in the area of the Direct North Buttress (DNB) route and in the descent gully. Ask around for the latest scoop and watch your head!

Getting There 

Middle Cathedral Rock is the (surprise!) middle of the three Cathedral Rocks, found just south across the valley from El Capitan.

The Classics

Featured Route For Middle Cathedral Rock

Central Pillar of Frenzy 5.9  CA : Yosemite National Park : ... : Middle Cathedral Rock

Central Pillar of Frenzy is a super-popular line up the obvious pillar on the lefthand side of Middle Cathedral's northeast face. There are almost always several parties on, or in line for, this climb because of it's excellent, though perhaps never outstanding, five pitches of sustained crack climbing. The climb is actually nine pitches, but does anyone bother with the last four? P1: Begin in a right-facing corner on the right side of the pil...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Middle Cathedral Rock Slideshow

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BETA PHOTO: Cathedral Rocks. Photo by Blitzo.	John Bachar bouldering at the base of Middle Cathe...	A couple relaxing in ElCap meadow with Middle Cath...
Some nice looking rock	Morning fog, Middle and Lower Cathedral Rock.	The view of the Captain from high on the Central P...