Variation

pinecone - Oct 7, 2017 11:18 pm - Hasn't voted

A Canadian college buddy and I climbed this in 1984. We hiked cross country from below and would not recommend that as it became very steep on the approach. We had a late start in getting to the saddle to set up. We then took three attempts to traverse right around the overhang and end up on the grassy ledge and then the main route to the summit. So our first pitch was clear right of the photo route to get to the ledge. Exhilarated we registered and enjoyed our accomplishment. Then on the descent got hung up with coming back down the same route and the rappel ended up being into space because of the traverse so we finally down climbed it in the dark. We got to the saddle in the pitch black, almost spending the night on the Needle. Then ascended to the ridge, picked up the trail and ended up in Detroit really late. Came back the next day to retrieve rope and gear above the traverse Not our finest moment. Not many had registered by then in 1984 which was surprising to us. We did not use any iron in the process.