Pillar of Despair  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Elevation:  3,200' Lat, Long:  34.4813, -117.1295 Map Page Views:  935. Good page?    Administrators:  M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Bill Olszewski on Dec 7, 2007 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

The Pillar of Despair. Mike Williams on War Machi...

Description 

This is the west pillar of the twin pillars of Hope and Despair. It stands about 30’ high and has several nice .10’s and .11’s, one each on the west face and one each on the east face, in the corridor between the pillars. Due to the location of routes, there is always something to climb whether you are looking for shade or for sun. The rock is solid and grainy, like elsewhere in the Cemetery, with a few hollow flakes thrown in for good measure. The signature route is War Machine (5.11a) in the center of the west face.

Getting There 

Approach as for the Cemetery but continue south on the main trail. Follow the trail to the left. The first formation you come to is the Pillar of Despair. If already in the center of the Cemetery, head south and turn right after passing the Pillar of Hope. The Pillar of Despair lies directly to the west of its twin.

The Classics

Featured Route For Pillar of Despair

War Machine 5.11a  CA : High Desert : ... : Pillar of Despair

Technical and pumpy five bolt route following obvious features up the 30 foot face. Looks a hell of a lot easier than it is. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA

Photos of Pillar of Despair Slideshow

Add Photo

BETA PHOTO: Photo/topo for the Pillar of Despair, Horseman's C...