CRESTONE NEEDLE ROUTE OVERVIEW

The Crestone Needle is seen from just north of Broken Hand pass in a slightly zoomed-in view. This photo is a good one for an overview of the standard route of the mountain. This is the south face of the mountain, that the South Face route climbs, via the East Couloir, the main gully seen on the right side of the face. An alternate route, up or down, is the West Couloir, which can be clearly seen (note shadows) paralleling the East Couloir. It's the next gully to the left.

The East Couloir has a steep section (Class 3 or 4) that may involve exposure, depending on route choices. This section can be avoided by climbing the West Couloir. However, this option involves a shorter but much greater exposed climb up a wall (Class 4) to access (or exit) the couloir to the East Couloir. The West Couloir is otherwise easier that the East Couloir.

Both couloirs meet near the top, just below the summit.

Note the bright white dot in the lower left! That is a climber, and he's fairly close to the exit point out of the East Couloir. It's important to note this location when climbing into the couloir so you know when to EXIT the couloir during your descent!

BE SURE TO VIEW THIS HELPFUL ROUTE PHOTO IN LARGE FORMAT

For further information, consult the Standard Route (South Face) page for the Crestone Needle.

Sangre De Cristo Range, Summer, 2002.

35mm Photo and scan by Aaron Johnson