Aiguille du Paquoir
Peak · 14,009 ft · Eastern Sierra corridor
Aiguille du Paquoir is a 14009-foot peak in the Eastern Sierra corridor north of the Inyo Range crest. High, exposed, and wind-scoured, it sits colder and more gusting than lowland Sierra valleys.
Wind funnels relentlessly across the exposed crest; the 30-day average is 12 mph, with gusts hitting 43 mph. Temperature hovers near 16 degrees Fahrenheit on average over the last month. Afternoon winds accelerate sharply. Stable footing requires early starts and retreat by midday.
Over the past 30 days, Aiguille du Paquoir has averaged a NoGo Score of 37.0, with conditions ranging from a low of 9.0 to a high of 65.0. The 30-day average wind of 12 mph is typical for this exposed alpine peak; crowding remains light at 2.0 on the index. The week ahead will show whether the recent run of variable conditions settles or intensifies as spring snowpack shifts.
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About Aiguille du Paquoir
Aiguille du Paquoir stands in the high alpine of the Eastern Sierra, accessed from the Inyo National Forest via the Poleta Pecos Lakes trail corridor or scattered approaches from the Bishop area. The peak sits north of Big Pine, roughly 12 to 16 miles inland from Highway 395. Winter and spring approach requires careful timing; avalanche terrain is present and snowpack persists into early summer. The Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center issues forecasts for this zone. Nearest supplies and lodging are in Bishop or Lone Pine; plan accordingly for a multi-hour approach.
Temperature at Aiguille du Paquoir ranges from a 365-day low of -2 degrees Fahrenheit to a high of 36 degrees, reflecting its 14009-foot elevation and alpine exposure. The rolling 30-day average temperature sits at 16 degrees Fahrenheit, typical for late spring at this height. Wind is the dominant driver of conditions: the 30-day average is 12 mph, but gusts reach 43 mph regularly. Crowding is minimal, averaging 2.0 on the index. This combination of cold, wind, and low traffic defines the peak; plan for rapid afternoon deterioration, especially during spring when thermal circulation kicks in.
Aiguille du Paquoir suits mountaineers, ski tourers, and peak baggers who move fast and read weather closely. Experienced parties start before dawn, summit by early afternoon, and descend before wind peaks. The peak's appeal lies in solitude and technical rock or snow scrambling; amenities do not exist here. Snowpack stability must be assessed before approach. Late spring and early summer offer the longest window, though crowding remains trivial. Winter ascents are serious undertakings requiring avalanche savvy, crampons, and ice tools. Summer climbing is straightforward scrambling but still exposed to wind.
The Eastern Sierra corridor clusters high peaks from the White Mountains to Mount Whitney; Aiguille du Paquoir ranks among the lesser-trafficked summits. The Inyo Range spine offers harder rock scrambles and ice climbing. Barcroft and White Mountain peaks to the north sit at similar elevations but with gentler approach terrain. Bishop Pass and the Inyo Peaks to the south carry higher crowding and less consistent rock. Visitors weighing options should compare avalanche forecasts, recent wind data, and weekend crowds before committing.