Ascending Glass House on Torre De Mierda is a journey that threads through varied alpine terrain, challenging climbers to engage both mind and muscle. Situated on the south side of the east buttress, this route offers five pitches that blend exploratory wandering with bursts of classic crack climbing. The initial pitches lead you across broken faces and mellow ledges, setting a contemplative pace as you follow a subtle line toward a prominent dihedral more than halfway up the climb. Here, in pitches three and four, the route reveals its true character: crack systems that invite skilled hands and steady feet, demanding focus and rewarding with pure movement.

Pitch one begins on a blocky ledge, moving left beneath an overhang along a red ramp. The 60-meter ascent calls for attentive footwork and route-finding, as loose rock and broken features require cautious negotiation. Next comes pitch two, a wandering stretch across easier but potentially loose terrain, ascending toward a talus-covered ledge below the signature corner. Rope drag can complicate progress here, suggesting that splitting this pitch might ease the technical burden.

The heart of the climb appears on pitch three, a short but striking corner crack that stakes a claim in the memory with clean, enjoyable moves over 30 meters. Following closely is pitch four: the dihedral itself, offering some of the best climbing on the route at 5.8 difficulty. Its protected chimney belay area not only reduces rope drag but provides a moment to appreciate the broad alpine environment surrounding you. The final pitch brings a more cautious tone—two chimneys separated by a talus-covered ledge with large, loose blocks challenging every step. Though easier in difficulty, this pitch demands respect and alertness as you navigate precarious features.

Protection on Glass House is straightforward but critical—double cams from 0.5 to #2, with a single #3 to handle wider sections, keep you safe while negotiating both solid and fractured rock. The route's alpine setting inside California's High Sierra means weather and timing play essential roles in planning. Start early to take advantage of stable conditions and avoid afternoon storms common in summer months.

Approach involves a trek from Convict Lake or McGee Creek, with terrain that softens the transition from trail to technical climbing yet remains rugged enough to remind you of the wilderness ahead. The combination of solid pitches and loose stretches keeps focus sharp, blending the unpredictability of alpine climbing with pockets of pure, classic crack routes. For those ready to explore an engaging 700 feet of rock with a mix of style and challenge, Glass House delivers a memorable day in the Sierra that's as instructive as it is exhilarating.