Dr. Needlepoint-- Inclined Plane

This is a look at the 5.7 Inclined Plane route, which is the last route at the upstream end of Dr. Needlepoint. Climb the face on the left (not very hard-- easy Class 5) to access the ramp. It looks like a walk-up, but it is not; the slope is steeper than it may look, and the ramp also slants very steeply to the edge of the cliff, making this a route with some serious exposure. About halfway up, a thin crack (visible) appears along the base of the corner, but it was too thin and the exposure too great for me to risk this one unroped. If I die climbing, I want it to be on some intense mountain, not a 50' route at a local crag.

Great Falls, VA-- September 2007