Typical fun Needles climbing with what seems to be a new direct finish. My 1980 guide says to go right at the 3rd of 3 bolts. My handwritten note from 1993 says go right at the 4th of 4 bolts. On this ascent in 2007 I tried going right via a hard move around a blunt arete, but it was pretty scary over there. I reversed the moves and climbed directly over the bulge at what seems to be a new 5th bolt. That was about the same difficulty as moving right but far less spicy.
Location
Follow the trail to the gap between Aquarium Rock and Photographer's Peak. Walk right behind a triangular pillar and past a gray water groove. Continue behind a flake to reach a left facing right angling flake. The first bolt is just right and up from the top of this flake.
By joelhagan From: Rapid City, SD Oct 10, 2007 rating: 5.8+
I went over the bulge and it was very thin on hands. Very fun and thought provoking and borders on 5.8+. My second went to the right and thought it was much easier. I think the key to the right is to not go all the way around the arete, but rather straight up it.
Originally this route keeps going up and joins the Prat chimney which goes to the top and is fairly easy at about 5.3.
Photographer's Peak
RSS Feed
