Mt. Russell’s Mithral Dihedral has long been a classic test piece in the Sierra backcountry. While most of the route is mid 5th class the dihedral in the middle is 300 feet of sustained crack climbing. A dihedral is a rock formation that resembles a book half way opened up. The Mithral Dihedral was originally rated 5.9 but the consensus now has it rated closer to 5.10b. On a beautiful crisp early September morning Darryl, Zach, and Kurt went up to give it a go. Here are a couple pictures. The rest can be found here:
Mt. Russell from hear the Whitney / Russell Col
The Mithral Dihedral on Mt. Russell's south face
Darryl geared up and ready to lead the first pitch.
Zach leading the last pitch of the crux dihedral.
Kurt at a hanging belay in the middle of the Mithral Dihedral
Summit photo from left to right: Kurt, Darryl, Zach