ljwoodw - Jun 2, 2021 1:19 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2021
From 60 Lakes Basin
Completely lost my sense of direction within the 60 Lakes Basin but I believe we were on the East Ridge. We climbed a ridge that led to a false summit, then descended underneath the false summit along easy scree slopes. A couple of very exciting (but avoidable) moves between the false and true summit, including stepping around a knife-edge on a small ledge. Yikes!
A nice 2nd class cruise from Gardiner Lake with a couple 3rd class moves right at the top. Epic views of Gardiner and Clarence King from the top. Super cool area!
Easy slog up from Gardiner Basin. Fun exposure on the South summit block!
cab - Sep 2, 2014 2:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2014
From Gardiner Basin
Climbed this on the morning of Day 2 of our Labor Day backpack trip after Gardiner on Day 1. The climb up from Gardiner Basin was straightforward. Continued on to climb Clarence King later in the day.
docrst - Jan 13, 2014 10:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2013
Cotter fro Sixty Lakes Basin
Backpacked into the lonely Sixty Lakes basin and then climbed the Southeast slope to the ridgeline. The final scramble was challenging and a bit airy on the last 30 feet of the exposed southeast corner of the summit block.
danman3156 - May 2, 2013 1:40 pm Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2013
SE Face
Ski descent during spring ski tour of the Rae Lakes area. Perfect corn!
Climbed from camp in Sixty Lakes Basin. Followed ledges on the north side of the ridge until the prominent notch, then scrambled along the crest of the ridge (4th) until it steepens into the arete proper. Sustained steepness going up the right side of the arete (4th/low 5th) to the summit. Downclimbed from the north summit - first ten feet were 5.5 or so and very exposed (crux of the route), then surprisingly easy yet still exposed 4th class to the notch. Maybe 5.3 or so from there to the true summit. I'd say the whole thing is III 5.5 and one of the best solos in the Sierra!
Hey bc44caesar: thanks for the excellent beta. I may not have been willing to commit to that downclimb if I hadn't read this beforehand. I've just put up a dedicated route page for this classic.
Climbed Mount Cotter from Onion Valley on a five day trip into the Sixty Lakes Basin/Rae Lakes area. Storms and lightning right when I summitted, made for a hasty decent...
murraymcleod - Jan 8, 2010 12:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 1967
Climbed via south ridge
Climbed with Tim Stafford from Sixty Lakes Basin while doing the southern half of the JMT. We were just kids (17 yrs old) beginning to appreciate the Sierra... I remember that I got dehydrated and real sick the night after, and had a tough time getting out over Glen Pass the next day...ah memories!
Desert Solitaire - Oct 2, 2009 11:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2009
2 summits - 2 days
Climbed the regular south summit on the 24th, as part of the Kings Spur traverse. The next day, returned with my friend Doug to climb the NE Arete on the North Summit. A spectacular climb (and downclimb!), that we'd rate II, 5.6. Route page coming up on that one.
granjero - Sep 8, 2009 6:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2007
North Arete, North Cotter
Very nice climb, spectacular exposure! Just the hike in is worth the time. Check out the pic in Moynier and then go do this! Improbable descent, but leave your gangsta-wear in the bag, no rappin required!
Long day hike out of Onion Valley. First to Mt Gardiner via the SE Ridge, dropping into the Gardiner Basin, and then climbing Cotter's South Ridge. Pictures and trip report
derbilly - Aug 21, 2007 9:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2006
SE face/ridge
Climbed in a light drizzly/flurry. Nice solid talus at the top.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:36 am Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2007
Slog from Gardiner Basin
Climbed this after Gardiner on a long dayhike out of Cedar Grove. This was mostly a talus slog, with a surprisingly cool summit block (trickier scrambling than Gardiner). Had a very late start that day, and had to hustle a bit to make it back down to the trail before dark. Looong hike back out via headlamp...
Climbed from largest lake in Gardiner Basin in 2004. Relatively steep and loose ascent below, with large and solid talus near the summit. Awesome views south.
ljwoodw - Jun 2, 2021 1:19 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2021
From 60 Lakes BasinCompletely lost my sense of direction within the 60 Lakes Basin but I believe we were on the East Ridge. We climbed a ridge that led to a false summit, then descended underneath the false summit along easy scree slopes. A couple of very exciting (but avoidable) moves between the false and true summit, including stepping around a knife-edge on a small ledge. Yikes!
wmolland - Sep 25, 2019 12:28 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2019
From Gardiner BasinA nice 2nd class cruise from Gardiner Lake with a couple 3rd class moves right at the top. Epic views of Gardiner and Clarence King from the top. Super cool area!
Outlaw - Sep 10, 2018 8:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2017
SW RidgeEasy slog up from Gardiner Basin. Fun exposure on the South summit block!
cab - Sep 2, 2014 2:31 pm Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2014
From Gardiner BasinClimbed this on the morning of Day 2 of our Labor Day backpack trip after Gardiner on Day 1. The climb up from Gardiner Basin was straightforward. Continued on to climb Clarence King later in the day.
docrst - Jan 13, 2014 10:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2013
Cotter fro Sixty Lakes BasinBackpacked into the lonely Sixty Lakes basin and then climbed the Southeast slope to the ridgeline. The final scramble was challenging and a bit airy on the last 30 feet of the exposed southeast corner of the summit block.
danman3156 - May 2, 2013 1:40 pm Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2013
SE FaceSki descent during spring ski tour of the Rae Lakes area. Perfect corn!
LincolnB - Dec 6, 2011 11:17 pm
Rae lakes loopCan't remember the date but did this on a solo backpack -- Rae lakes loop. Took the southwest ridge, one scary move at the summit.
bc44caesar - Sep 10, 2011 7:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2011
Northeast Arete of North PeakClimbed from camp in Sixty Lakes Basin. Followed ledges on the north side of the ridge until the prominent notch, then scrambled along the crest of the ridge (4th) until it steepens into the arete proper. Sustained steepness going up the right side of the arete (4th/low 5th) to the summit. Downclimbed from the north summit - first ten feet were 5.5 or so and very exposed (crux of the route), then surprisingly easy yet still exposed 4th class to the notch. Maybe 5.3 or so from there to the true summit. I'd say the whole thing is III 5.5 and one of the best solos in the Sierra!
haishan - Sep 11, 2013 12:47 pm
Re: Northeast Arete of North PeakHey bc44caesar: thanks for the excellent beta. I may not have been willing to commit to that downclimb if I hadn't read this beforehand. I've just put up a dedicated route page for this classic.
seano - Jul 19, 2011 1:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2011
South ridgeFrom Gardiner Basin, after dropping off Gardiner. Nice view of the very intimidating north subpeak.
sierratrekkin - Jul 19, 2010 7:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2010
SW RidgeClimbed Mount Cotter from Onion Valley on a five day trip into the Sixty Lakes Basin/Rae Lakes area. Storms and lightning right when I summitted, made for a hasty decent...
murraymcleod - Jan 8, 2010 12:53 am Date Climbed: Aug 5, 1967
Climbed via south ridgeClimbed with Tim Stafford from Sixty Lakes Basin while doing the southern half of the JMT. We were just kids (17 yrs old) beginning to appreciate the Sierra... I remember that I got dehydrated and real sick the night after, and had a tough time getting out over Glen Pass the next day...ah memories!
Desert Solitaire - Oct 2, 2009 11:38 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2009
2 summits - 2 daysClimbed the regular south summit on the 24th, as part of the Kings Spur traverse. The next day, returned with my friend Doug to climb the NE Arete on the North Summit. A spectacular climb (and downclimb!), that we'd rate II, 5.6. Route page coming up on that one.
granjero - Sep 8, 2009 6:36 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2007
North Arete, North CotterVery nice climb, spectacular exposure! Just the hike in is worth the time. Check out the pic in Moynier and then go do this! Improbable descent, but leave your gangsta-wear in the bag, no rappin required!
bechtt - Sep 27, 2008 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 26, 2008
South RidgeLong day hike out of Onion Valley. First to Mt Gardiner via the SE Ridge, dropping into the Gardiner Basin, and then climbing Cotter's South Ridge. Pictures and trip report
derbilly - Aug 21, 2007 9:38 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2006
SE face/ridgeClimbed in a light drizzly/flurry. Nice solid talus at the top.
Matthew Holliman - Aug 21, 2007 2:36 am Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2007
Slog from Gardiner BasinClimbed this after Gardiner on a long dayhike out of Cedar Grove. This was mostly a talus slog, with a surprisingly cool summit block (trickier scrambling than Gardiner). Had a very late start that day, and had to hustle a bit to make it back down to the trail before dark. Looong hike back out via headlamp...
copeg - Jun 19, 2007 8:16 pm
2004 southwest faceClimbed from largest lake in Gardiner Basin in 2004. Relatively steep and loose ascent below, with large and solid talus near the summit. Awesome views south.