Fresno Dome (Wamello) Area Rock Climbing

Fresno Dome was known by the Mono Indians as "the greeting place" ("wah-me-yelo"). John Muir called it "Wamello", now mostly known as Fresno Dome which it is called on the USGS topo map.. Royal Robbins used this area as one of his locations for his Rockcraft School back in the 1970s and pioneered many routes. Most climbs range from 3 to 5 pitches in length. Some my be considered run out by today's standards. A number of shorter sport routes can be found on Zippity-Do-Dah Buttress and Panorama Wall. Willow Creek Wall has a number of bolted slab routes, up to about 100 feet long. The Main Wall, South Face, West Face and Hawk Dome offer multi pitch routes.
The rock is quality Sierra granite, ranging from smooth slab to steep features and chicken heads. Several cracks are also found.
The 7,000 ft. elevation keeps this area fairly cool in summer. Summer and Fall are generally the best time to climb here.

Climbers have been climbing and guiding here for decades and there are still no crowds. I seriously doubt that a guide book or this post will increase impact, besides wouldn't you rather go to Yosemite?

The dome sits high in the hills overlooking Oakhurst and is easily seen from town.

The town itself is small, but has everything that you would need. There is a Vons and Raleys for food and beer. Rite Aid for cheaper beer. The Dirty Donkey Bar, motels, gas stations, fast food joints and restaurants, my personal favorite being Oka Sushi House. You may also want to try Crab Cakes, Todd's Cookhouse Bar-B-Que, Ol' Kettle Restaurant and Di Cicco's Italian. There's a couple Chinese restaurants. El Cid has okay Mexican food and they serve lengua. Unfortunately one of my all time favorite burger joints, Bigfoot Burgers closed years ago. You can even get tattoos.

The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino is a 15-20 minute drive south of town, just south of the Town of Course Gold. The casino offers drinking, gambling, music, restaurants, a big buffet and a hotel ($109-$159 per night).