McCannster - Aug 29, 2022 8:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
via Harding Route
13.5 hours roundtrip from moraine bivy at base of east face via Harding Route.
philadendron - Aug 28, 2017 1:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2017
From the trail
Scrambled up after the Whitney summit. Couldn't remember if it was Keeler or Crooks with the sketchy step-across, but found out real quick it was Keeler. Honestly, it's not that bad, and perhaps the creepier part is being up on that summit block with nothing on almost all sides of you. Snapped a few photos, then got off of there. You wouldn't think twice of the "move" required to get on and off if it weren't so exposed, so keeping that in mind helped me get up and down. Totally worth it for the unique views, including an awesome shot of Pinnacle Ridge looking like a dragon's back.
Short scramble from the trail. Mostly un-eventful; just a peak bag w/o much appeal beside its proximity to Whitney.
Fairweather - Oct 18, 2015 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2002
Harding Route
Great route in a spectacular location.
With Tim from a small tarn below Iceberg Lake.
bechtt - Apr 25, 2015 5:36 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2006
From Main Trail
diversion off the main trail
cdog - Aug 31, 2014 1:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2014
worth it
this is one of the more spectacular summits in the Sierras. I am glad we took the time to visit. Summit day was warm, clear, and calm, so I couldnt help but sit atop and dangle my feet off the edge, enjoying the view that included our base camp thousands of feet below.
David Mortensen - Jul 11, 2013 7:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2013
Keeler
I went up this after doing Whitney. The view from the top was a bit scary, especially because I was a little light-headed. A fun side trip.
trexkerry - Jun 30, 2013 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2013
Whitney and Muir but no Keeler
Dayhike via the MW Trail - second time up Whitney. After summiting went up Keeler Needle to the final couple of rocks before backing off then bagged Mt. Muir on the way back. Turned around at same spot on Keeler last year...I know that last rock isn't that hard but that exposure is crazy! Maybe next time I'll finally get it. Trip report at http://www.mountainhiker.org/trip_report.aspx?id=95
Deb - Jun 14, 2013 12:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2013
Something other than Whitney!
With 25+mph winds and sub-freezing temps, Heather and I hiked from Consultation Lake and tagged Keeler and Muir from the Main Trail. Interesting but holy shit do I get sick of everyone asking if we got to "the top." TOP OF WHAT?!
scgrant - May 20, 2013 1:54 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2013
Keeler Needle
Made the quick 15 minute side trip to Keeler on the way to Mount Whitney. Unbelievable exposure and incredible views. Could only stand to spend about 10 seconds on the summit block before wanting off. Well worth the side trip.
trexkerry - Aug 25, 2012 3:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2012
Stopped Just Short
Dayhiked the standard Whitney Route and decided to try for Keeler afterword - didn't have the stomach to make that last step to the final boulder - that is some serious exposure!
jonathanluk - Oct 29, 2011 3:59 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2010
Quick side trip off Whitney Trail
Fun scramble off the Whitney Trail, scary feeling at the tip with near vertical on 3 sides!
SawtoothSean - Aug 27, 2011 9:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2011
Traverse
Did the Carillon-Russell-Whitney-Muir traverse in a long day with SuperDave. Whitney was great, but Mt. Russell was spectacular. Keeler was just as described- "might as well do it since I'm up here" The last 20 feet were interesting.
hightinerary - Aug 13, 2011 1:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Bonus Peak
I have climbed it a few times on the way back from Mt. Whitney.
GigaMike - Feb 4, 2011 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2008
From Whitney Trail
A fun side trip from Whitney.
ZeeJay - Dec 20, 2010 11:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2001
Cool peak
Nice little side trip. Lots of exposure but easy. Did a day hike of Whitney, Keeler Needle, and Mount Muir via the standard route.
WyoNative - Aug 12, 2009 11:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2009
Incredible Exposure!
A scramble off of the main Whitney trail.
twhirled - Jun 25, 2008 10:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2005
Better than Whitney
A short hop off the Whitney Trail to the top of Keeler. It is a completely different summit experience from Whitney. Not a parking lot atmosphere. No room for even a small group on the summit. A great place to hang your feet off in the air. Ha!
GerryS - Dec 1, 2007 11:13 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2007
Good extra credit
20 minute excursion from main trail.
Michael Graupe - Nov 2, 2007 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
2007 Sierra Challenge
Last day of the 2007 Sierra Challenge. The main objective of the day was to climb Mt. Newcomb. Starting at Whitney Portal I decided to climb McAdie on the way from Arc Pass. Then descended the class 2 chute to Crabtree Pass, climbed Mt. Newcomb via the class 3 east face. From there I returned to Crabtree Pass and gained the Sierra Crest climbing Discovery Pinnacle from the south. I intercepted the trail and hiked up Mt. Whitney. On the way back I also climbed Keeler Needle, Crooks Peak, Third Needle, Aguille Extra, Aguille du Paquoir and Mt. Muir. A long day in a very beautiful area. 14.5h car to car.
McCannster - Aug 29, 2022 8:52 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2022
via Harding Route13.5 hours roundtrip from moraine bivy at base of east face via Harding Route.
philadendron - Aug 28, 2017 1:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2017
From the trailScrambled up after the Whitney summit. Couldn't remember if it was Keeler or Crooks with the sketchy step-across, but found out real quick it was Keeler. Honestly, it's not that bad, and perhaps the creepier part is being up on that summit block with nothing on almost all sides of you. Snapped a few photos, then got off of there. You wouldn't think twice of the "move" required to get on and off if it weren't so exposed, so keeping that in mind helped me get up and down. Totally worth it for the unique views, including an awesome shot of Pinnacle Ridge looking like a dragon's back.
CWessels - Sep 5, 2016 3:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2016
From Whitney TrailShort scramble from the trail. Mostly un-eventful; just a peak bag w/o much appeal beside its proximity to Whitney.
Fairweather - Oct 18, 2015 12:38 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2002
Harding RouteGreat route in a spectacular location.
With Tim from a small tarn below Iceberg Lake.
bechtt - Apr 25, 2015 5:36 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2006
From Main Traildiversion off the main trail
cdog - Aug 31, 2014 1:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2014
worth itthis is one of the more spectacular summits in the Sierras. I am glad we took the time to visit. Summit day was warm, clear, and calm, so I couldnt help but sit atop and dangle my feet off the edge, enjoying the view that included our base camp thousands of feet below.
David Mortensen - Jul 11, 2013 7:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2013
KeelerI went up this after doing Whitney. The view from the top was a bit scary, especially because I was a little light-headed. A fun side trip.
trexkerry - Jun 30, 2013 4:49 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2013
Whitney and Muir but no KeelerDayhike via the MW Trail - second time up Whitney. After summiting went up Keeler Needle to the final couple of rocks before backing off then bagged Mt. Muir on the way back. Turned around at same spot on Keeler last year...I know that last rock isn't that hard but that exposure is crazy! Maybe next time I'll finally get it. Trip report at http://www.mountainhiker.org/trip_report.aspx?id=95
Deb - Jun 14, 2013 12:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 13, 2013
Something other than Whitney!With 25+mph winds and sub-freezing temps, Heather and I hiked from Consultation Lake and tagged Keeler and Muir from the Main Trail. Interesting but holy shit do I get sick of everyone asking if we got to "the top." TOP OF WHAT?!
scgrant - May 20, 2013 1:54 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2013
Keeler NeedleMade the quick 15 minute side trip to Keeler on the way to Mount Whitney. Unbelievable exposure and incredible views. Could only stand to spend about 10 seconds on the summit block before wanting off. Well worth the side trip.
trexkerry - Aug 25, 2012 3:38 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2012
Stopped Just ShortDayhiked the standard Whitney Route and decided to try for Keeler afterword - didn't have the stomach to make that last step to the final boulder - that is some serious exposure!
jonathanluk - Oct 29, 2011 3:59 am Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2010
Quick side trip off Whitney TrailFun scramble off the Whitney Trail, scary feeling at the tip with near vertical on 3 sides!
SawtoothSean - Aug 27, 2011 9:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2011
TraverseDid the Carillon-Russell-Whitney-Muir traverse in a long day with SuperDave. Whitney was great, but Mt. Russell was spectacular. Keeler was just as described- "might as well do it since I'm up here" The last 20 feet were interesting.
hightinerary - Aug 13, 2011 1:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Bonus PeakI have climbed it a few times on the way back from Mt. Whitney.
GigaMike - Feb 4, 2011 2:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2008
From Whitney TrailA fun side trip from Whitney.
ZeeJay - Dec 20, 2010 11:12 am Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2001
Cool peakNice little side trip. Lots of exposure but easy. Did a day hike of Whitney, Keeler Needle, and Mount Muir via the standard route.
WyoNative - Aug 12, 2009 11:45 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2009
Incredible Exposure!A scramble off of the main Whitney trail.
twhirled - Jun 25, 2008 10:26 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2005
Better than WhitneyA short hop off the Whitney Trail to the top of Keeler. It is a completely different summit experience from Whitney. Not a parking lot atmosphere. No room for even a small group on the summit. A great place to hang your feet off in the air. Ha!
GerryS - Dec 1, 2007 11:13 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2007
Good extra credit20 minute excursion from main trail.
Michael Graupe - Nov 2, 2007 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
2007 Sierra ChallengeLast day of the 2007 Sierra Challenge. The main objective of the day was to climb Mt. Newcomb. Starting at Whitney Portal I decided to climb McAdie on the way from Arc Pass. Then descended the class 2 chute to Crabtree Pass, climbed Mt. Newcomb via the class 3 east face. From there I returned to Crabtree Pass and gained the Sierra Crest climbing Discovery Pinnacle from the south. I intercepted the trail and hiked up Mt. Whitney. On the way back I also climbed Keeler Needle, Crooks Peak, Third Needle, Aguille Extra, Aguille du Paquoir and Mt. Muir. A long day in a very beautiful area. 14.5h car to car.