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Routes in The Needles District
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Angel Arch T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b C1 PG13 |
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Beckoning Round TR 5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a V4 6B |
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Castle Arch T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a X |
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Druid Arch T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b C2- R |
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National Hot Rod Association, The T 5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a |
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New World Order, The 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b V6 7A |
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| Type: | Trad, Aid, 300 ft (91 m), 4 pitches, Grade II |
| FA: | Anderton, Colacino, Duncan, Midkiff |
| Page Views: | 4,727 total · 23/month |
| Shared By: | Bill Duncan on May 23, 2007 |
| Admins: | slim, Andrew Gram, Nathan Fisher, Perin Blanchard, GRK, D C |
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Access Issue: RAIN, WET ROCK and RAPTOR CLOSURES: The sandstone around Moab is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Also please ask and be aware of Raptor Closures in areas such as CAT WALL and RESERVOIR WALL in Indian Creek
Details
WET ROCK: Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN MOAB during or after rain.
RAPTOR CLOSURES: please be aware of seasonal raptor closures. They occur annually in the spring.
RAPTOR CLOSURES: please be aware of seasonal raptor closures. They occur annually in the spring.
Description
Closed to climbing: This route is illegal to climb and has been left on Mountain Project for historical purposes only. To read more about climbing restrictions in the park, click here.
Angel Arch is arguably the most beautiful landform in the Needles district. Its size and position is unrivaled and it is truly the monarch of arches in the region. It is composed of very good Cedar Mesa Sandstone and can now be done entirely hammerless and much of it goes free. At the time of its first ascent it was the largest unclimbed arch on the planet.
The first ascent of Angel Arch in 1991 followed the obvious wide crack on the east side of the formation. A rope was fixed over the hump to the north so that they could climb over the hump on the descent. There is a large flat ledge above the center of the arch. The fourth pitch followed a drilled pin ladder to the summit. The descent follows the route. All anchors are hidden from view.
It must be noted that the NPS looks down on climbing named features in these particular national parks. "Named features" translates in NPS speak to "arches." They don't seem to mind people climbing the towers and various formations, but for whatever reason they do not like climbers on the arches. If you are caught climbing Angel, Castle, or Druid arch, you will likely be issued a compulsory "arch climbing permit", which cost $25 in 1993. As always, practice sound and environmentally-minded judgement in the desert. It is particularly important that the "leave no visible trace" philosophy be exercised here.
Angel Arch is arguably the most beautiful landform in the Needles district. Its size and position is unrivaled and it is truly the monarch of arches in the region. It is composed of very good Cedar Mesa Sandstone and can now be done entirely hammerless and much of it goes free. At the time of its first ascent it was the largest unclimbed arch on the planet.
The first ascent of Angel Arch in 1991 followed the obvious wide crack on the east side of the formation. A rope was fixed over the hump to the north so that they could climb over the hump on the descent. There is a large flat ledge above the center of the arch. The fourth pitch followed a drilled pin ladder to the summit. The descent follows the route. All anchors are hidden from view.
It must be noted that the NPS looks down on climbing named features in these particular national parks. "Named features" translates in NPS speak to "arches." They don't seem to mind people climbing the towers and various formations, but for whatever reason they do not like climbers on the arches. If you are caught climbing Angel, Castle, or Druid arch, you will likely be issued a compulsory "arch climbing permit", which cost $25 in 1993. As always, practice sound and environmentally-minded judgement in the desert. It is particularly important that the "leave no visible trace" philosophy be exercised here.
Location
Once upon a time you could drive a 4wd high clearance vehicle down Salt Creek to within a mile of the arch. The environmental groups sued the NPS and closed the road. The battles have been in and out of court, and the road has been closed, reopened, and closed again over the years. Currently the road down Salt Creek is closed to mechanized vehicles. One can park at the Peekaboo campsite and backpack the 10 miles in to the arch down Salt Creek. The approach is easy hiking along the old road, and there is "at large" camping allowed in this section of the canyon. A permit is required. This is a fantastic hike and comes extremely well recommended. Plan on three days for this adventure. A day for the hike in, a day for exploring and bouldering, and a day for the hike out.
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