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The Needle

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The Needle

Submitted By: Bill Lawry on Nov 17, 2006
Administrators: Aaron Hobson, Anthony Stout, George Perkins
Elevation: 10,500 feet
Latitude: 35.2276  Longitude: -106.4589 
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Juan Tabo Canyon is subject to annual access closures from March 1 to August 15. MORE INFO >>>

The Needle about an hour before sunset.


Description 

The Needle is a major feature on the west side of the Sandia Mountains near the north end. Aptly known in the past as The Pyramid, The Needle stands just south of The Shield. The Needle is known for some arduous approaches and long routes. Plan your climbs with care.

As noted above, a periodic avian closure affects some portions of The Needle and nearby areas. The Juan Tabo Canyon page may have a map showing the currently closed areas. Also, check with the Sandia District of Cibola National Forest for the latest details.


Getting There 

Generally speaking, climbs on the south and east sides are initially approached starting from The Crest, hiking to the saddle at the east side of The Needle, and continuing on approach as needed from there; Mick Schein's guide "Sandia Rock" describes this approach for the case of the Southwest Ridge Route. Climbs on the west side may be approached by hiking up the Movie Trail passing to the south of The Prow and then scrambling to the base of the Needle.

Also, visible from Albuquerque is a partially tree-filled ramp that roughly divides the west face of The Needle into an upper and lower half. This ramp is known as Fifth Avenue and may serve as an exit from the lower routes, as an approach to the upper routes, or as an escape from planned outings spanning the west face.

One Way to Descend from the Summit


In a comment to the SW Ridge route, Daniel T. mentions a ramp from which there are a couple short raps into the ravine that runs along the south side of The Needle. Here's how to get to that ramp.

From the summit head east-ish and down hill through pine-needle duff amongst the trees. Work you way to the 'crown' in this direction by trending slightly north as you head further down and east. Eventually, you will need to drop to skier's left of the 'crown' which is now turning into a ridge that heads east. If you miss the drop to left then back track a little (i.e., no down climbing at this point).

Continue down and east-ish on very easy ledges staying within 20 feet or so of the now well-formed ridge. Within minutes you will reach a minor saddle between the main summit block and a small rock tower to the east (50 feet tall?). Locate a ramp down below on the south side of this saddle. Down climb ~20 feet to the ramp. From there, it's another 20 easy feet or so to a tree with rap slings/rings.

There are two relatively short raps, both from trees, with a short scramble between them. However, if you continue on rappel from the first rap tree to the second then you may want to knot the ends of a 60 meter rope.



Featured Route For The Needle
Needle. SW Ridge is the one on the left

Southwest Ridge 5.8 PG13  NM : Sandia Mountains : ... : The Needle
Longest route in the Sandias. Around 1300 vertical feet of climbing after a brutal 2+ hour approach. Plan for 10-15 hours car to car depending on your speed. Take a machete for your approach.[Pitch-by-pitch descriptions below by G.Perkins; numbers coincide with Sandia Rock but I'd recommend linking or shortening pitches as I suggest below]P1: Beginning at the very bottom of the ridge, climb easy cracks to reach a good ledge whe...[more]


Add Photo Photos of The Needle
The Needle, west face, from the top of the Prow. 2/6/09

BETA PHOTO: The Needle, west face, from the top of the Prow. ...