North American Classic Climbs

Crestone Needle

Ellingwood Ledges

Description

Climbers*

Photo*

Date

11N03

11N03

Crestone Needle from the North. The ledges portion goes to the vegetated band.

-

GC

8/31/80

19G10

19G10

Crestone Needle from the East. The upper half of the route is on the skyline.

LC

GC

5/30/89

19G11

19G11

Approaching the route in (too) early season.

GC

LC

6/1/89

d02_010

d02_010

30 feet off the ground on a slab, the Direct Start variation.

MS

GC

7/19/02

26C09

26C09

Starting up the route via the left variation (late season.)

LC

GC

9/26/98

26C11

26C11

Heading for the small red tower on the ridge on the easy ledges that typify the first 1/4 of the climb.

GC

LC

9/26/98

d02_011

d02_011

Looking down the ledges section.

MS

GC

7/19/02

11N08

11N08

At the end of the ledges, beginning the ridge. This party is climbing the Red Tower directly. Easier climbing is available to the left.

unknown

GC

9/1/80

MS01

MS01

Looking directly up the ridge from the red tower, easy 5th class and 4th class scrambling.

GC

MS

7/19/02

19G16

19G16

Soloing on the ridge a few hundred feet above the red tower.

LC

GC

6/1/89

19G17

19G17

Looking down the ridge from the final section before the headwall.

LC

GC

6/1/89

d02_015

d02_015

Leading out on a slab to begin the headwall section. This pitch is 5.5.

MS

GC

7/19/02

26C15

26C15

Following pitch 1 on the headwall.

LC

GC

9/26/98

d02_016

d02_016

Leading the crux pitch, the right variation on the upper headwall.

MS

GC

7/19/02

19G19

19G19

At the belay shelf below the crux pitch on the left variation (corner left of climber.)

LC

GC

6/1/89

26C18

26C18

On the summit, looking west to Kit Carson Peak.

GC

LC

9/26/98

dd02_018

d02_018

A local resident on the summit.

GC

LC

9/26/98

19H04

19H04

The descent gulley down the S. face in early June.

LC

GC

6/1/89

26C19

26C19

At the base of the descent gully, beginning the traverse across the south face.

LC

GC

9/26/98

19H05

19H05

The descent continues across the S. Face to the SE.

GC

LC

6/1/89

26C20

26C20

The south side of Crestone Needle, showing the descent gully and the trail across to the col.

LC

GC

9/26/98

d02_019

d02_019

A photo opportunity on a small pinnacle in the middle of the descent chute on the north side.

MS

GC

7/19/02

d02_023

d02_023

The descent chute on the north side is part of the regular route. It descends from the saddle on the left.

MS

GC

7/19/02

d02_025

d02_025

The upper section of the route, taken from the descent.

-

LC

7/19/02

26D03

26D03

A typical section of the 4WD road to Crestone Needle. We destroyed a tire and bent an axle on this descent. Definitely the crux of the route. Walking is strongly advised.

GC

LC

9/26/98