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:
![](http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2010-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-Mithral-Dihedral/DSC7986/998602902_KD9B2-M.jpg)
Mt. Russell from hear the Whitney / Russell Col
![](http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2010-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-Mithral-Dihedral/DSC7992/998615642_Dubvr-M.jpg)
The Mithral Dihedral on Mt. Russell's south face
![](http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2010-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-Mithral-Dihedral/DSC7997/998626528_GmLCE-M.jpg)
Darryl geared up and ready to lead the first pitch.
![](http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2010-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-Mithral-Dihedral/DSC8075/1003692536_jUTkD-M.jpg)
Zach leading the last pitch of the crux dihedral.
![](http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2010-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-Mithral-Dihedral/DSC8071/1003685935_M444L-M.jpg)
Kurt at a hanging belay in the middle of the Mithral Dihedral
![](http://kurtwedbergphotography.com/Sierra-Trips/2010-Sierra-Trips/Mt-Russell-Mithral-Dihedral/DSC8098/1003785791_8BZDN-M.jpg)
Summit photo from left to right: Kurt, Darryl, Zach