Correction to Secor
Chimney Pass
by David Kiene
Chimney Pass, located near
Palisade Crest, is not at elevation 12,560 feet, as
Mr.Secor reports. A few weeks ago, we tried following
that direction and wound up at a "pass" that was at
least class 3, not the class 2 pass that Chimney is
rated. We didn't even climb to the top of the pass to
see what the south side looked like, so the south side
might actually be worse. Instead, Chimney Pass is
actually at 12,400 feet, and is as Mr.Secor points
out, a great route to reach Lower Palisade Lake from
the Glacier Creek drainage.
Phil Martz adds:
My brother and I backpacked the
Palisade Basin and Palisade Lakes region extensively and crossed the off-trail
passes between Dusy Basin to Palisade Lake. I'd like to confirm the correction
of Chimney Pass previously submitted by contributor David Kiene. The correct
location of Chimney Pass is 0.7 mi SSW of Palisade Crest, elevation 12,400+
(Secor has it: 0.5 mi S of Palisade Crest, elev. 12,560). In this region, I
think Cirque Pass (0.9 mi SW of Palisade Crest, Elev. 12,000+) is worth
considering. Although it is perhaps a tad more difficult than Chimney, it is
400 feet lower.
See topo map:
http://www.climber.org/Secor/ChimneyPass.jpg.
I have compiled a waypoint file (Sierrapasses.tpg)
for use with TOPO! maps, of off-trail High Sierra Passes. The file is at
http://www.sierrabackpacker.com/database.htm
Download and open in TOPO! for locations of passes. I am continuing to update
this file with more passes and notes on passes. Any comments please send email
to me at info@sierrabackpacker.com.
The information provided in these pages is provided by
interested volunteers and has not been field checked.
R.J. Secor, The Mountaineers, the Sierra Club and climber.org
are in no way responsible for the accuracy of any route
advice on this web site.
Safe climbers must be able to understand the terrain
and topography of the area they travel in, and they
must make wise route finding choices based their own
knowledge, experience and observations.
