Fire and Brimstone Dihedral slices through the rockface of Yosemite’s Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne with the raw grit of a route forged in fire and ash. This four-pitch trad climb weaves an immersive journey up a massive corner system, crowned by sweeping offwidths and splitter cracks. The climb’s name recalls an unforgettable ascent during the Rim Fire, where ash fell like confetti and smoky skies blurred the high country. That day, every hold felt hard-won, every move charged with the urgency of nature’s unpredictable breath. Today, the line stands as an accessible yet demanding adventure within the Glen Aulin area – perfect for climbers ready to test their rack and patience on a sustained, varied climb.

Beginning at the approach pitch, low-angle rock guides you gently upward across ledges before the corner system grips your attention. Pitch one strolls into a 5.7 move that challenges protection placements, demanding confidence in bridging and footwork amidst sparse gear options. This pitch sets the tone: bold but approachable, with a 200-foot length that feels like a measured warm-up.

The second pitch hits the core of the route’s character. At 5.9, it delivers a well-earned reward and a crux that dares you. Enter the corner with caution, negotiating awkward, wide moves that toy with body positioning. After that effort, the terrain eases into a clean, hands-to-offwidth crack that stretches generously for another 200 feet—an expanse to find rhythm and savor the hand jams while granite walls loom silently aside. If you carry just one extra cam on the rack, a #5 Camalot makes the difference; without it, the pitch feels noticeably runout, adding a psychological edge.

Pitch three responds with varied climbing, guiding you left from the corner onto a splitter hand-and-fist crack sculpted in steeper granite. The crack’s angle softens as you continue, drawing you up and back into the corner system. Here, a small stance and ledge offer welcome brief respite amidst near continuous climbing. Another long, 70-meter rope-stretching pitch that rewards steady technique.

The final pitch eases to simple fifth-class scrambling up a domed finish, coaxing you toward the summit plateau where freedom from the rope invites a more contemplative pace. From this high vantage, the vast expanse of Tuolumne Meadows sprawls below, a reminder of the wilderness surrounding this gritty line.

Descending involves moderate slab hiking, following the dome’s contours for several hundred feet before dropping right into a gully that leads back down to the base. The descent is straightforward but requires attention, especially in wet or smoky conditions.

Protection calls for a solid rack of cams: doubles from red C3 through #3 Camalot, with a single #4 and an optional #5 rounding out the setup. The route offers no fixed anchors or bolts, encouraging self-reliance and solid anchor-building skills. The runout sections, especially on pitch two, reward careful route-reading and solid gear placement.

This route flows through an iconic wilderness zone prized for its expansive views and relative seclusion, giving climbers a genuine feeling of connection to Yosemite’s rugged heart. The wall faces northeast, best tackled mid-morning to afternoon when shade offers relief from the sun’s intensity. Prime climbing seasons include late spring to early fall, when granite is dry, and the weather is steady.

For those drawn to enduring traditional lines outside Yosemite’s more crowded corridors, Fire and Brimstone Dihedral provides a compelling blend of length, variety, and challenge — paired with a genuine wilderness vibe that rewards preparation and persistence.