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| Climbing | 8.10 Miles |
3,414 AEG |
| | Climbing | 8.10 Miles | 11 Hrs | | 0.74 mph |
| 3,414 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Lead III • Trad • 5.4 Volcanic Good • 600 Feet 4 Pitches | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| partners | | | Pro: #2 and #3 cams | A year ago, Brian and I started taking the AMC basic rock-climbing courses, and have slowly picked up more skills and experience, hoping to one day do climbs like these and what an adventure...
The hike in is fairly straight-forward, but we got lured up the hill a bit early, which cost us some time. A large set of cairns signal a strong trail just north of Pinyon Camp while the hoodoos are on your right (east): don't go this way - wait until you're clear of the hoodoos. Keep heading north until you're right under the slope of Weavers Needle and you'll pick up the route.
The slope to the technical pitches was not terrible, and soon we were putting on our harnesses, helmets, and shoes in preparation of the first ~200' pitch to the chockstone. Brian led, setting protection along the way where he could find suitable places while Katrina belayed him. She followed and cleaned, allowing Shawn (our friend from Denver getting into his first ever multi-pitch technical climb) to top rope. I went last, and as would be the case all day, I prepared myself for climbing (and later, rappelling) in silence and out of view from my companions. Waiting is just part of the game on technical climbs when you've got 4 people. Maybe when we get more experience, we'll go quicker, but we were very methodical and careful on this day.
The climb to the chockstone has been freeclimbed, and I see why. The holds on the chockstone pitch are plentiful and the climbing was straight-forward...I popped underneath the chockstone and met everyone in the sunlight at the top of the pitch feeling great. From there, we hopped up the 12-ft wall and scrambled for a few more minutes until we were under the summit pitch. Brian went first again, and everyone else followed. This pitch was easier than I'd expected, but certainly exposed. Some cacti in the handholds made you pay attention to hand placement...
After that, we were homefree - Weavers Needle is one of the most gratifying summits I've ever been on, and we all soaked in the view. After spending nearly an hour on top and taking plenty of pictures, it was time to rappel. That rappel off the summit is just pure fun! Two bolts with a chain meant a bomb-proof anchor, and the near-vertical wall allows you to soak in the view in style! Naturally, Brian fireman-belayed me in mid-rappel, leaving me dangling for a few seconds for everyone's photo-taking pleasure, lol. We hopped down to the chockstone again, and took a look the bolt anchors. I pulled out my 60m rope, and we set up a double-rope rappel all the way down the chockstone pitch - great fun!
Then it was time to take off the gear and start the long hike out. Back to the cars just after dark - what a great day! |
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Route Editor
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