Penguin Handshake
Mid-range climb among six routes at Monolith's West Face sector.
- 5.12a
- grade
- Sport Bolted
- style
Is Penguin Handshake open right now?
Alert in the area
The National Park Service lists an alert for Pinnacles National Park.
Fire Danger HIGH
Park alert covering Pinnacles National Park · NPS · Pinnacles National Park
As of · Source: NPS · Pinnacles National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Penguin Handshake
Best months: October–May. 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.
Jan
63° / 34°
12 wet
Feb
64° / 36°
11 wet
Mar
68° / 38°
10 wet
Apr
72° / 39°
6 wet
May
80° / 43°
3 wet
Jun
89° / 47°
1 wet
Jul
96° / 50°
0 wet
Aug
96° / 50°
0 wet
Sep
92° / 48°
1 wet
Oct
82° / 43°
3 wet
Nov
70° / 37°
7 wet
Dec
62° / 33°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pinnacles Nm, CA, 0.7 mi away at 1,307 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
One of six routes catalogued at Monolith's West Face, this climb sits in the middle of the crag's range from 5.11d to 5.14a/b.
Photo of the crag
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