Pywiack Dome: a short free solo adventure

Piwiack Dome is a small, turtle-like rock neighboring Tioga Road. Therefore the approach is very short and inviting for a short try: We weren't sure to find a route to the top which is feasible for us without rope. To our surprise we found a line that offered 5.3/5.4 (UIAA III-IV) friction climbing in perfect rock with some ideally placed holds in the steepest section. Nevertheless, for "real" climbing there is a handful of good friction-climbing routes in the west face.

Since 360 was back in good old Switzerland for a short holiday, I dug a little bit in the souvenirs of my 2014 USA trip. A few short strolls and climbs were not published till now - to follow.

Trial and success: Solo Climbing at Piwiack Dome

The parking lot along Tioga Road is just a few 100 feet north oft Tenaya Lake. From there scramble down and up again to the southern base. We climb the big slab towards a pine, then bearing to the right (east) to another pine on a ledge. The steeper crux section (ca. 5.4 or UIAA III+) is just above that pine, we then gain another ledge that leads pretty exposed east to summit plateau. Nice views and incredible granite formations.
Down the same way.