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The Witch
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Routes Sorted
L to R R to L Alpha
Airy Interlude 
Ankles Away 
Brute Force 
Entity, The 
Gorilla Warfare 
Green Tide 
Igor Unchained 
Innersanctum 
Pegleg 
Phosphorescent Flow 
Pit & The Pendulum, The 
Pizzazz 
Pulp Friction 
Shazam  
Spook Book 
Terrorvision 
Wicked West of the Witch 
Witch Doctor 

The Witch 


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Administrators: Matthew Fienup, M.Morley, Sam Vanderhyden, Tom Erickson
Submitted By: Josh Janes on Jun 18, 2006

Make this area a Favorite
What's New
  Print a Mini-Guide with routes

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Witch

Description 

The Witch is the major formation just past the Sorcerer. The amphitheater formed by these two rocks holds the highest concentration of Needles' classics. Most climbs are on the west face -- this can be approached by a small access point near the top of the formation.

Descent involves a single rope rap from anchors to the north and a bit of easy downclimbing.


Getting There 

Hike the trail past the Sorcerer. Decend through a notch to the South very near the West face of the Witch.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for The Witch:
Innersanctum   5.9     Trad, 3 pitches, 500 feet, Grade II   
Igor Unchained   5.9+     Trad, 3 pitches   
Witch Doctor   5.10a     Trad, 4 pitches, 500 feet   
Phosphorescent Flow   5.10a R     Trad, 1 pitch   
Airy Interlude   5.10b     Trad, 3 pitches   
Gorilla Warfare   5.10+     Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet   
Spook Book   5.10+ R     Trad, 4 pitches   
The Pit & The Pendulum   5.10+     Trad, 4 pitches, 500 feet   
Ankles Away   5.11 PG13     Trad, 2 pitches, 230 feet   
Pegleg   5.11d PG13     Trad, 1 pitch, 200 feet   
Pulp Friction   5.12+ R     Trad, 1 pitch, 180 feet   
Browse More Classics in The Witch

Featured Route For The Witch
RIP Jeff.

Ankles Away 5.11 PG13  CA : The Needles / Kern River : ... : The Witch
Outstanding!! Do it one 70M! pitch for the best continuity and full value! IMO, the best 5.11 pitch at the Needles!P1: 10d. Palming, stemming and laying it back is the business at the start of Pegleg/Ankles Away (50'). Its a little grainy and hard to pro but you have to do it. P2: Awesome tips and finger crack action on a steep and bullet-proof slab! The pro is good when you get it in which adds to the difficulties. Trust your smears and go for it! Re-join Pegleg at its top (easy) corner and ja...[more]   Browse More Classics in CA


Photos of The Witch Slideshow Add Photo
Left climbers are on Igor Unchained finishing the 2nd pitch.  Right climbers are on Inner Sanctum.  Bottom climber is at a belay.

BETA PHOTO: Left climbers are on Igor Unchained finishing the ...

West face of the Witch

West face of the Witch

Hiking to the summit

Hiking to the summit

Witch - Lower East Face

BETA PHOTO: Witch - Lower East Face

Witch - Upper East Face

BETA PHOTO: Witch - Upper East Face

The litter, first-aid, and water cache at the base (North) of The Witch.  Leave your gear here and scramble down to the base of the routes.

BETA PHOTO: The litter, first-aid, and water cache at the base...

The Witch

The Witch

Evening light on the Witch

Evening light on the Witch

Storm rolling in on the Witch

Storm rolling in on the Witch


Comments on The Witch Add Comment
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By Matthew Fienup
Administrator
From: Ventura, CA
Jul 5, 2009

Here is a printable topo of the Witch West Face routes from Alexander Cooper & Clint Cummins' Needles Mini Guide