Southeast Face, Petite Griffon 5.7

   
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High Sierra, California USA

  • Currently 4.0/5
Avg time to climb route: 5-8 hours
Approach time: 3-4 hours
Descent time: 3-5 hours
Number of pitches: 3
Height of route: 800'
Overview
The Petite Griffon is the tiny, noticeable spire lodged between Mt. Abbot and Mt. Mills that is just begging to be climbed. The approach is long for three pitches of climbing, but the scenery is gorgeous, the feature unique, and the summit memorable. In the spring, it makes an interesting adventure to ski the approach out to the spire. Another route that heads up the prominent zig-zag crack on the north side of the spire was put up by Andy Selters and John Moynier in the nineties and goes at 5.9.

The Petite Griffon actually has two summits, with the western summit being the true summit. This fun, easy route starts on the northwest side, and spirals up the southeast face, where an airy 5.7 move gains the western summit. Good luck trying to climb the eastern summit, it looks like an exposed, unprotected slab. An ice axe and crampons are highly recommended for the approach up the couloir, as it is 40˚ steep, 1,000 feet long, and holds snow even in low snow years.
Photos - View all 14 photos of Southeast Face as: Thumbnails | Slideshow
Climber Beta on Southeast Face
  A total of (1) submissions of route beta on Southeast Face
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Source: SuperTopo Guidebook Staff Last update: June 15, 2016
Petite Griffon - Southeast Face 5.7 - High Sierra, California USA. Click to Enlarge
Overview of the Petite Griffon and surrounding peaks.
Photo: McKenzie Long
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