California · Rock climbing · Swall Meadows

Faulty Tower

Faulty Tower in California has 22 climbing routes across 15 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Faulty TowerPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
22 routes
5.8 – 5.13d
Sport · Trad

Best time to visit Faulty Tower

Best months: April–May and October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    56° / 24°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    59° / 26°

    4 wet

  3. Mar

    67° / 31°

    3 wet

  4. Apr

    74° / 37°

    2 wet

  5. May

    83° / 44°

    2 wet

  6. Jun

    94° / 51°

    1 wet

  7. Jul

    100° / 57°

    1 wet

  8. Aug

    98° / 54°

    1 wet

  9. Sep

    90° / 47°

    1 wet

  10. Oct

    78° / 37°

    1 wet

  11. Nov

    64° / 27°

    2 wet

  12. Dec

    55° / 22°

    3 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bishop Ap, CA, 15.3 mi away at 4,102 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Faulty Tower is a city-managed climbing area in California, sitting on land owned by the city rather than a national forest or state park. It sits close to two other climbing areas, Attila the Hun Wall and Health Club, each about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is sport-focused, with 21 sport routes and one trad route among the 22 listed. Grades run from 5.8 up to 5.13d, so the area suits climbers of varying experience. Double Take is the easiest at 5.8, while Desire is the hardest at 5.13d. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Bishop put April highs around 74°F and October highs around 78°F, while July averages near 100°F and winter lows drop into the mid-20s. That station sits about 1,200 feet lower than Faulty Tower, so temperatures at the tower run cooler. Lower Rock Creek Trail, Section 3, is about 2 miles away, and Lower Rock Creek offers canoeing about 2.6 miles off. Sand Canyon, a mountain biking area, is about 4 miles away, and Tuff Campground is roughly 6 miles away.

Routes (22)

Fender StratFA: Kelly Cordner5.10aWhat's Its FaceFA: Mike Yost, Steve Case5.10bSolitoFA: Kelly Cordner5.10cFinger FoodFA: Kelly Cordner, Matt Ciancio5.10dPerchedFA: Greg Collins, Marty Lewis, Charlie Johnson, Bruce Lella5.10dCrash LandingFA: Tom Herbert & Tony Puppo 11/895.11aOver the TopFA: K.Cordner, D. Olson5.11aBaby DuckFA: Herbert, Utterback 19915.11bHill's Little HillFA: Randy Hill, K. Cordner, D. Olson5.11cLalalandFA: Peter Croft, Marty Lewis, & Dayle Mazzarella - September, 19995.11cFree FallingFA: Tom Herbert, Sondra Utterback, 4/1991, TD5.11dFrom Chocolate to MorphineFA: Fred Berman & Bruce Lella - July, 19915.11dSly Little Fart BlasterFA: Wendy Borgerd5.11dChocolateland Variation5.12aForkash & RichesFA: Mike Forkash, Kelly Cordner, Matt Ciancio5.12aDesert StormFA: FA: Tom Herbert, 4/91, TD.5.12a/bCrybabyFA: Tom Herbert5.12dDesireFA: Tom Herbert, 19895.13dDouble TakeFA: Charlie Johnson, Mike Yost5.8StradivariusFA: Phil Green, Wendy Borgerd, 7/1989. Bolts added by Marty Lewis.5.8Hang A LouieFA: K.Cordner, D. Olson5.9From Chocolate to Chossman5.9+

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