[TR] Knitting Needles- Tour 7/30/2006

[AlpineMonkey]

Climb: Knitting Needles-Tour

 

Date of Climb: 7/30/2006

 

Trip Report:

I can’t remember when I last went on a solo adventure, but as the sun sunk a special feeling set over me. It’s these trips where I always seem to appreciate the beauty of living.

 

DAY 1

 

Being alone, I didn’t have to worry about someone riding my tail and pushing me along, nor did I have to worry about being slowed down. There were no decisions to be discussed and no compromises to be made. I could do anything and everything I wanted and it was this freedom that jumpstarted my good day.

 

I started hiking up the Ingalls Creek trail at noon and blasted the first 6 miles in 1 hour and 25 minutes (Its flat and real easy goin'). From here I begin a steep (3,800 feet over one mile) and slow ascent of McClellan ridge, where 1000 more feet led to the summit of McClellan Peak. From the summit I snapped a goofy self portrait and admired the surrounding views. Familiar summits such as Little Annapurna and Prusik Peak were viewable.

 

 

Soon the light began to fade and a light breeze blow. My tired legs yearned for rest. I chose the nicest, most beautiful bivy one could want near the 8,364 foot summit of McClellan Peak. In hopes of a spectacular sunset to photograph, I choose a spot with an almost 360 degree view, but was disappointed in myself when my tired body woke to stars.

 

 

DAY 2

 

The following day I took my time weaving through gully after gully in the Knitting Needles taking nearly 50 photographs of rock towers, getting a feel of the area. In two weeks I plan to return for a 5 day trip with a role model friend. I hope to climb many of the “needles” I photographed.

 

 

 

Though all the rock is supper solid, I can't immagine this area ever being popular due to the approach. However, it deserves attention. Much potential exists for quality routes.

[olyclimber]

amen, bro. i ended up sick and stayed home all weekend. those needles look pretty nice...

[DirtyHarry]

Is that in the Crystal Creek drainage?

[olyclimber]

the Nightmare Needles!

 

ya...just across from the Flagpole group.

[AlpineMonkey]

Those are the Nightmare Needles, there even further over then them Oly.

[bwrts]

fuk yeah...looks like a very stellar trip was had by you. thanks for sharing!

[RideT61]

How hard was the climbing through the knitting needles?

[AlpineMonkey]

Easy but steep! Brushy down low, but not bad.

[RideT61]

Have you gone back yet?

[AlpineMonkey]

Just got back from a 4 day trip, nice stuff up there.

[RideT61]

Can't wait to hear about it.

Edited August 16, 2006 by RideT61

[olyclimber]

would like to see your photos from climbing with the old guy.

 

who took the first too photos of this TR if you were solo?

[RideT61]

I'm thinking of heading out the the Knitting Needles this weekend? Any water in the area? Does Fantasia Pond dry up?

[AlpineMonkey]

There is water up high, directly east of Orange Tower. Below is a not so good topo of the routes we put up. I just made it quickly and will later reassess the grades, adding plus or minuses, maybe letters after I confirm with my partner. You should go give that yellow and red route a try, very nice 4 stars in my opinion. The wall is about 450 feet tall.

 

 

[Kat_Roslyn]

Craig, can you name the towers in the photos for me please? SOMEBODy stole my brown book.

 

Also, Ryan and I climbed the Crystal Lake Tower and we both forgot a camera, do you have any pics of the south side there? We descended above crystal lake and then up and over the very east side of McClellan and back down crystal crk drainage. Nice up there.

 

[AlpineMonkey]

Kat,

I'll name them in a day or two. I'm on the W. side and all my records are in E-burg.

[Kat_Roslyn]

can you e-mail to me on my Central account?