North American Classic Climbs

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Keeler Needle

Harding Route

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Description

Climbers*

Photo*

Date

KG02

KG02

Mt. Whitney and the needles from the east.

DO

KG

8/80

KG18

KG18

Keeler Needle from the approach.

-

KG

"

11M13

11M13

Keeler Needle and Day Needle, from the NE. The climb begins left of center on the Keeler Face.

-

GC

5/82

KG01

KG01

Looking back down the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek on the approach. The sometimes faint trail follows benches above the creek to avoid bushwhacking in the creek.

DO

KG

8/80

KG03

KG03

The equipment rack spread out on a rock, at a time when passive protection still ruled.

-

KG

"

KG04

KG04

Putting on rock shoes at the base of the climb.

DO

KG

"

KG05

KG05

Just getting started on pitch 1.

DO

KG

"

KG06

KG06

The first 5.10 section (pitch 2), typified by small overhanging roofs with hand and finger cracks.

DO

KG

"

DO01

DO01

Crack climbing low on the route (around pitch 4.)

KG

DO

"

DO02

DO02

More crack climbing, pitch 4 or 5.

KG

DO

"

KG13

KG13

Around pitch 5.

DO

KG

"

KG07

KG07

A belay stance in the red dihedral midway up the wall - pitch 7.

DO

KG

"

KG08

KG08

Looking down the red dihedral.

DO

KG

"

KG09k

KG09k

Just above the red dihedral - pitch 8.

DO

KG

"

KG10k

KG10k

Leading up to the bivouac ledge.

DO

KG

"

DO04

DO04

The bivouac.

KG

DO

"

KG11

KG11

The bivouac.

DO

KG

"

KG12

KG12

Looking out to the north from the bivouac. Iceberg Lake below. Whitney's East Face on the left of the photo.

DO

KG

"

DO03

DO03

The 5.10 crack looms above the bivouac ledge (pitch 10.)

KG

DO

"

DO05

DO05

Higher on pitch 10.

KG

DO

"

DO06

DO06

Hauling the pack.

KG

DO

"

DO07

DO07

Pitch 11.

KG

DO

"

KG14

KG14

Looking down from the top of pitch 11.

DO

KG

"

DO08

DO08

Looking down on the belay - pitch 13.

KG

DO

"

KG15

KG15

Pitch 13. A Galen Rowell photo of this pitch was the cover of one of the issues of "Ascent ." It was taken on the first winter ascent.

DO

KG

"

KG16

KG16

Stemming a dihedral near the top.

DO

KG

"

KG17

KG17

Looking down the lower angle rock just below the summit.

-

KG

"

DO09

DO09

The summit of Keeler Needle.

KG

DO

"

*Climbers & Photographers: Dave Ohst, Kim Grandfield, Gary Clark