Bishop Bouldering Guidebook

The Bishop Bouldering Guidebook is the most comprehensive guide to the world-famous bouldering around Bishop, California. Covering more than 2,200 boulder problems, this fully updated edition features new climbs, improved maps and schematics, and stunning aerial photography to help climbers navigate the legendary granite of the Eastern Sierra.

From the iconic highballs of the Buttermilks to the steep power problems of the Happy Boulders, Bishop has earned a reputation as one of the greatest bouldering destinations in the world. This guidebook provides detailed information for every major area so visiting climbers and locals alike can explore the endless granite scattered throughout the Bishop region.

Whether you're looking for classic moderates, first V-grades, or world-class test pieces, the Bishop Bouldering Guide delivers accurate beta and clear navigation so you can maximize your time on the rock.

Beyond the climbing, Bishop offers incredible scenery, reliable sunshine, easy camping, hot springs, and a vibrant climbing community—all of which make it one of the most beloved climbing towns in North America.

Bouldering Areas Included

This guidebook covers all major bouldering zones around Bishop:

The Buttermilks
Famous for massive granite blocks, classic highballs, and historic problems.

Happy and Sad Boulders
A dense concentration of powerful, gymnastic boulders with hundreds of classic climbs.

Druid Stones
Unique formations with creative movement and a quieter atmosphere.

Rock Creek
Higher elevation bouldering with cooler temperatures and excellent granite.

Sherwin Plateau
Expansive desert bouldering with scenic views of the Sierra Nevada.

Guidebook Features

• Over 2,200 documented boulder problems
• Fully updated routes and corrections
• Detailed maps and easy-to-follow boulder schematics
• Stunning aerial photography for navigation
• Coverage of all major Bishop, CA bouldering areas
• Modern layout designed for quick use at the crag

This updated edition represents years of work documenting new problems and refining the information climbers rely on to explore the granite around Bishop.

Supporting Local Climbing Access

$1 from every book sold supports local climbing access.

A portion of each purchase goes directly to the Bishop Area Climbers’ Coalition, helping maintain climbing areas, protect access, and preserve the unique climbing landscape around Bishop.

About the Author

James Lucas first arrived in Bishop in 2002 after leaving the climbing areas of Vermont and New York in search of bigger granite and wider horizons. What began as a winter escape quickly became a two-decade connection to the boulders of the Eastern Sierra.

Over the years he lived throughout the Bishop area—from a station wagon to apartments and climber camps—immersing himself in the local climbing community while exploring the endless granite fields of the Buttermilks and beyond.

Later working as an editor at Climbing Magazine, Lucas continued returning to Bishop seasonally while documenting the evolving bouldering scene and the thousands of problems scattered across the region.

Explore More Eastern Sierra Climbing

Looking for more climbing around Bishop?

Check out guidebooks covering:

• Pine Creek Canyon
• Owens River Gorge
• Mammoth Area Rock Climbs

Together these guides provide complete coverage of one of the most diverse climbing regions in the United States.