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Pins And Needles Rock Climbing

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Areas in Pins And Needles

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Pins, The 8 / 32 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 1 / 42

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Elevation:	8,050 ft	2,454 m
GPS:	44.7345, -115.82339 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	31,362 total · 207/month
Shared By:	a.brown on Jun 12, 2012 · Updates
Admins:	Mike Engle, Eric Bluemn Page Updates (admin only)

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Description

The Pins and Needles are a group of granite domes and spires located in the Lick Creek Range of Valley County, Idaho. They provide varied climbing in a secluded and beautiful setting.

The Pins are a group of monoliths scattered throughout the forest at ~6500 ft. Generally speaking, the approaches to these crags are shorter and less strenuous than the approaches to the Needles. Most of the climbs here are single pitch, and offer enjoyable backcountry cragging.

The Needles are comprised of several formations that can be seen from a distance higher on a ridge line at ~8000 ft. Access is more challenging here, and backcountry navigation skills are helpful for the approach. This area has multi-pitch climbing in addition to single pitch offerings.

As always, take care to practice Leave No Trace principles while recreating in this fragile and gorgeous area. Pack out trash, stay on trails when they are available, and utilize wag bags.

A free guidebook is available online here.

Getting There

[Updated to include comment below]

The drive in to this place is easy. Just follow the directions in the Klosof Guide. All the roads are marked, 498, 402, 402 C. The milage in the Klosof Guide is not correct. You dont really need it. The only confusing thing was Klosof says that the turn off for 402 is marked by a sign that says North Fork of the Gold Fork Loop. The sign actually says South Fork.

At the end of 402 C is the only campsite.

To approach the Pins must walk down the obvious road beyond the one campsite at the end of 402 C. You will find a trail when the road ends. Take this to the saddle mentioned in the Klosof Guide. This is an obvious hill crest where you can first see many of the Pins. You will know when you reach this spot. At the Saddle there is a trail to the left, a trail to the right, and a trail straight ahead. They are all marked with Cairns and relatively well travelled. Left to the Space Pin, Right to the Terrapin.

http://69.89.31.248/~gravitz1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/guidebook.pdf

43 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Pins And Needles

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b 4 ● Route 16- Klosoff Guide Sport Pins > Northern Pins > Terrapin
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 14 ● Franklin's Tower Sport Pins > Northern Pins > Terrapin
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c PG13 8 ● Mr. Jugs Sport Pins > Southern Pins > Patina Pin
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 7 ● Route 17- Klosoff Guide Sport Pins > Northern Pins > Terrapin
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 4 ● Patina Potato Sport Pins > Southern Pins > Patina Pin
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 8 ● Fall Line Sport Pins > Northern Pins > Terrapin
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 8 ● Shakedown Street Sport 2 pitches Pins > Northern Pins > Terrapin
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 7 ● Bee Line Sport, TR Pins > Northern Pins > Terrapin