The Obelisk (Sequoia NP) - beta ?

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rhyang

climber

SJC

Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 22, 2011 - 10:14pm PT

Over the years I've been reading about routes on this thing .. Secor lists several that sound like fun. So far I know the following :

8-10 mile approach from Wishon reservoir to Geraldine Lake

two ropes needed for the rappel off the summit

Sounds like doubles of mid-sized cams would be good for some routes ?

Thanks for any info !
-Rob

Mungeclimber

Trad climber

sorry, just posting out loud.

Aug 22, 2011 - 10:22pm PT

Rob, Nurse Ratchet knows some beta probably. Do you have a way to reach her? If not let me know.

When you going?

May be at Hoffman in September, just around the corner.

Captain...or Skully

climber

or some such

Aug 22, 2011 - 10:23pm PT

It's a great rock. Long walk, though. Many great rocks have that feature.
Meh. Amazing to share with a friend or two, though.
You'll have a blast. Bring an imaginative kit.

Hey, how many Rob's are there, anyway? LOL.
The Council of Robs? I never dreamed it possible.

Send

climber

Central Sierras

Aug 22, 2011 - 10:56pm PT

I've read some about that rock. Lots of chickenheads.....extra slings maybe helpful.

em kn0t

Trad climber

isle of wyde

Aug 22, 2011 - 11:26pm PT

HI Rob (also PM'd you with this message)

Obelisk: beautiful featured and chicken-headed golden granite. Do it!

Bruce and I made one trip to the Obelisk; the approach we took was more like 17 miles and we were bugged by roaming herds of range cattle several times. We bivied partway there, then moved camp to a meadow just above and west of the Obelisk before climbing the next day. Watch out for loose rock and consider carefully before climbing below another team. We were hit by fragments of a huge block accidently trundled by a team far above us...which put a crack in my (thank god I was wearing) helmet and big bruises on Bruce's back. The only other team in the area that weekend and we were on adjacent routes. (DUH!)

Rap off the backside to an upper saddle. As I recall it's partly free-hanging rappel with an intermediate station so recommend you tie knots in ends of rope.

You should consider coming to Hoffman Mountain too (not to be confused with Mt. Hoffmann in Yosemite; this is a different peak, just south of Wishon Reservoir) -- I call it the "Obelisk Lite", it's very similar rock to the Obelisk, with shorter routes but the approach is a LOT shorter so you can easily hike in and climb a route or two on the same day. Finger Rock is just a bit farther east and also has similar rock and similar formation to the Obelisk.

http://www.summitpost.org/finger-rock/490043

http://www.summitpost.org/hoffman-mountain/225486


	"Obelisk Lite" – the South Face of Hoffman Mt. Credit: em kn0t


	Rob "Mungeclimber" Behrens leads the crux first pitch on FA of The Burninator, III 5.10c, on Hoffman Mt., Sept 2008. The steep dihedral in the background is Seem's Holy, 5.9+, FA 2004 Allen Steck, Brutus & Em of Wyde. Credit: em kn0t