Langille Peak, East Buttress. Langille Peak, far up the middle fork of the Kings River, is known more to hikers of the John Muir Trail than to climbers. Its eastern face is hollowed by several deep gullies and highlighted by many long spur ridges. On July 2, Chris Jones and I chose a route on this unclimbed face which follows near the crest of a striking east buttress. We climbed talus and then increasingly steep slabs. While not continuous fifth class, the climbing still had many little problems of technique and route finding. The rock is as good as any I have seen in alpine regions. This exhilarating climb is to be recommended. The hike in and out with climbing gear is the only drawback. NCCS II.

FRED BECKEY