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Elevation: 13,710 ft
GPS: 37.175, -118.68
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 8,421 total · 40/month
Shared By: Chris Owen on Dec 8, 2006
Admins: Chris Owen, Lurk Er, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes

Description Suggest change

The steep north face of Mt. Mendel, visible from Lamarck Col, hosts two High Sierra ice climbing testpieces: Right Mendel Couloir (AI5) and Left Mendel Couloir, aka Ice 9, (AI5+).

Getting There Suggest change

Getting to Lamarck Col with heavy packs is a whole day event. This is a 6 mile hike with 2,600' elevation gain. Obtain wilderness permits at the ranger station in Bishop (get there early, it's a popular trail and only few passes are given on a walk in basis). Take route 168 to North Lake. Car may be parked at an overnight parking lot 0.5 miles from the trailhead. Begin with 2 miles on well-marked Lamarck Lakes Trail until Upper Lamarck Lake. Continue on X-country trail on the south side of the lake (the lake should be on your right as you pass it). The trail starts with the slight descent into a 100 yard rocky groove, climbs up its southern end, winds and goes up and down for a while until climbing steep slopes towards the plateau before Lamarck Cole. Most bivy sites are located on the western slopes of Lamarck Cole but convenient and less populated bivy sites are also located at the lake just below the Lamarck Col on its eastern side.

1 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Mt. Mendel

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b WI3 Steep Snow
 16
Right Mendel Couloir
Ice, Snow, Alpine 9 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Right Mendel Couloir
 16
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b WI3 Steep Snow Ice, Snow, Alpine 9 pitches
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