Thunderbird is to Tuolumne what Midnight Lightning or Mandala are to the Valley/Milks.  This may be THE classic Tuolumne test piece.  The crux sequence begins after you gain the first crimp, meaning everyone and their uncle touches this problem. The bottom crimps can get slippery as a result.

Start on the low sloping rail and move left to a couple of mediocre crimps.  Do a big throw to a sharp but slightly incut crimper flake followed by a couple of easy crimping sequences on decent hands/feet.  Core up to the sloper rail, mantle said rail, and don't biff the easy 5th class slab to the top.

There's also a left variation called Thunderhead which holds the same grade.  Thunderbird seems the physically harder of the two (though I personally have not sent Thunderhead).

Thunderbird

Thunderhead

Center Mantel

Cerwin's Mantel

Bachar Mantel

Galaxy 5000

Climb Galaxy 5000 to the end, then continue rightwards into the rail section and topout of Thunderbird.

The second of the three mantel problems on this side of the boulder. A left hand sloper and a right hand slopey knob are the start holds. Campus your foot onto a small, sharp knob out right and reach for a positive knob above.

Rad mantel to the right of the Bachar Mantel. Start with hands on the lip and mantel your guts out. Love these techy gems! It is given a single star in Barrett's guide, but I think it is actually excellent.

Around the right corner from Thunderbird are two knobs on the tallest part of the sloper rail. These are the holds for the Bachar Mantel. Grab the right hold and make your way to the left or jump start. Mantel over and follow the easy slab to the top.

Starts on low crimps to the left of Thunderbird, then follow left holds up to a decent crimp. Head out right to a small crimp and then dyno for the bucket out right. Continue into the top of Thunderbird to make it Thunderhead, or drop off for the regular finish.

Description

Protection

Routes in Mantel Boulder