Needles @ Labor Day
September 1-3, 2012
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Three day weekend at the Needles - my favorite place to climb, ever! Since we didn't arrive until Saturday in the late morning, we decided to chill out by the river and try to find the Seven Teacups (picture). We couldn't get a good view from the bottom unfortunately, and will need to return and perhaps do the whole canyoneering trip (with dry bags and wetsuits). We had dinner at the Ponderosa Lodge, and drove in to the Needles in the evening. The road was in terrible shape - one rutted section took me 3-4 tries to eventually get up it... unbelievable difference from previous years! We secured a great camping spot and went to bed early.

On Sunday we hiked in and started with Thin Ice, which was free. Even though it was in the sun, the breeze kept it cool and pleasant! We relaxed on the summit for a bit and watched a developing wildfire with mild concern... thankfully the fire fighting helicopters eventually had it under control. We had an unpleasant descent (made it longer/harder than needed), and then went to do Airy Interlude - another great climb! We then stashed our gear and hiked out.

On Monday we hiked in again and did Fancy Free, an awesome 3-pitch 5.10 on the Charlatan - the second pitch was perhaps the best pitch of the weekend - awesome! (Perhaps not as memorable as Airy Interlude, which was pure joy...) The summit pinnacle was the cherry on top. We debated climbing something else but with the long drive home ahead of us, opted to hike out and get out of there.

  Kern River Hiking up the Kern to check out Dry Meadow Creek Cool tree!  
  Kern River Hiking up the Kern to check out Dry Meadow Creek Cool tree!

  A couple finishing their descent - the last rappel  
  A couple finishing their descent - the last rappel

  Looking up the canyon. No view of the 7 teacups sadly  
  Looking up the canyon. No view of the 7 teacups sadly

   
 

   
 

  Thin Ice first pitch Starting up Thin Ice Long and awesome pitch  
  Thin Ice first pitch Starting up Thin Ice Long and awesome pitch

   
 

  The 2nd pitch of Thin Ice is an awkward groove Grunting up the groove Escaped the groove at last  
  The 2nd pitch of Thin Ice is an awkward groove Grunting up the groove Escaped the groove at last

  Looking down the nasty flare If you look closely, you can see Val, fellow Bulgarian, on Innersanctum Climbers on Airy Interlude's money pitch  
  Looking down the nasty flare If you look closely, you can see Val, fellow Bulgarian, on Innersanctum Climbers on Airy Interlude's money pitch

  Climbers on Airy Interlude A wildfire progressed very rapidly, but was put away by a couple of helicopters The lookout that burned down - used to be on top of this formation  
  Climbers on Airy Interlude A wildfire progressed very rapidly, but was put away by a couple of helicopters The lookout that burned down - used to be on top of this formation

  Climbers topping out on Yellow Brick Road on the Wizard (as seen from the top of the Sorcerer) The Charlatan Happy on top of the Sorcerer  
  Climbers topping out on Yellow Brick Road on the Wizard (as seen from the top of the Sorcerer) The Charlatan Happy on top of the Sorcerer

  Starting up Airy Interlude Airy Interlude's 2nd pitch Fire fighting helicopter and the Charlatan  
  Starting up Airy Interlude Airy Interlude's 2nd pitch Fire fighting helicopter and the Charlatan

  Sooo good!  
  Sooo good!

   
 

  Action on the Sorcerer - last pitch of Thin Ice and Atlantis (right) Justin and Katie on Fancy Free - with the amazing 2nd pitch above them A full view of 2nd/3rd pitches of Fancy Free on the Charlatan  
  Action on the Sorcerer - last pitch of Thin Ice and Atlantis (right) Justin and Katie on Fancy Free - with the amazing 2nd pitch above them A full view of 2nd/3rd pitches of Fancy Free on the Charlatan

  Melissa on the crux pitch of Airy Interlude  
  Melissa on the crux pitch of Airy Interlude

   
 

  Justin on the crux of Fancy Free  
  Justin on the crux of Fancy Free

  Climber on Ankles Away  
  Climber on Ankles Away

  On the first pitch of Fancy Free Base of the crux - and first belay  
  On the first pitch of Fancy Free Base of the crux - and first belay

  Action on the Witch: Ankles Away and Airy Interlude  
  Action on the Witch: Ankles Away and Airy Interlude

   
 

   
 

  The tippy top  
  The tippy top

   
 

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