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keeler needle

Original Post
sc thomas · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 0

i see there is much confusion and off routing to be had in the upper portions of the harding route. veering right for headwall pitches, left for more scrambling, etc. anyone have a topo with more detail in the upper portion of the route? much appreciated

Said Parirokh · · Bend, OR · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 685

Just did this route 2 days ago.

After traversing the ledge to right side of the formation, We choose to navigate into the 3rd class terrain facing Mount Whitney, and wished we had gone up the splitter 5.10 crack at the top.

I think this picture does a pretty decent job of relaying the information for how to gain the summit. It was not the path we took.

photo beta

The 3rd class terrain is fairly complex with a lot of loose rock. Careful out there.

Here's the trip report I wrote up if you are interested:

slabist.blogspot.com/2016/0…

Dow Williams · · St. George, Utah; Canmore, AB · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 240

Said is right. I led the crux pitches of the route and the final splitter that many bypass. The splitter is the best pitch on the route. When you get to the upper headwall, you either traverse way left or way right. Right is the way of the route. Folks have found their way up left through loose and easy climbing supposedly. The traverse right is not all visible. There is a traverse pitch over an arete. Hard to see, so normally a time of discussion at this intersection. Once you traverse right over that arete, the notes just about anywhere start to make a lot of sense. Good Luck. Great climb.

Harding Route, V, 5.10c

This is that upper pitch.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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