Amies Photos > Sierra Peaks > Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt (14,003 ft) is located tbetween North Palisade and Mount Winchell. It has the most inconvenient summit block of any of the major peaks in the Sierra with the easiest way up being rated at 5.8. The approach to Thunderbolt is easiest via either the Bishop Pass Trail or the North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail.

The Summit block of Thunderbolt
Palisade Glacier
Thunderbolt from the East
Hiking up to Thunderbolt Pass
Climbing Thunderbolt
Approach to Thunderbolt Southwest Chute #1.

The Summit block of Thunderbolt

On the summit block of Thunderbolt. The photo was taken from the east side, which is where we climbed up. Rock shoes, a rope, and a few biners are needed to climb the summit block, which is a 15 ft boulder problem from the east side.
Photo by Daryn Dodge, July 2, 2006

Palisade Glacier

Palisade Glacier from the summit of Mount Gayley.
Photo by Alex Amies, August 13, 2005

Thunderbolt from the East

Thunderbolt from the summit of Mount Gayley.
Photo by Alex Amies, August 13, 2005

Hiking up to Thunderbolt Pass

Hiking from Bishop Pass (12,000 ft) up to Thunderbolt Pass (12,400 ft) on the west side of the Palisades.
Photo by Alex Amies, July 1, 2006

Climbing Thunderbolt

Daryn Dodge climbing up the Southwest Chute on Thunderbolt.
Photo by Alex Amies, July 2, 2006

Approach to Thunderbolt Southwest Chute #1.

The route we climbed, SouthWest Chute #1, is the easiest on the mountain. We packed in on July 1, 2006 on the Bishop Pass Trail, starting at South Lake. From South Lake we hiked south to Bishop Pass. There we left the trail and headed cross country up to Thunderbolt Pass. The Southwest Chute #1 is located right above Thunderbolt Pass to the east. It is the first chute just to the right of the buttress forming the saddle at Thunderbolt Pass. Ice axes were handy on the hike. We climbed the peak and packed out on July 2.