LOOKING FOR RIDE FROM BAKERSFIELD TO CREEKSGIVING

Dear climbers,

The plan, as of now, is to buy a one way ticket to bakersfield, climb in the needles for 3 weeks, meet some great folks, and then catch a ride to indian creek for the festivities. Probably stay there for a couple weeks after.

Anyone going to be in the bakersfield area and heading that same creekward way? I can pitch for gas and am a fairly not annoying individual.

Let me know. Also if anyone has any suggestions for the needles, or psych in general, I'd love to hear them/it.

Thanks!

—Evan

Find a solid partner, before leaving Bakersfield for the Needles.

It's pretty remote, eh? I'm working on getting a couple of my friends to come along. But if they don't, maybe I can magically find the perfect partner somewhere?

Yeah, you'll be really lucky to find a partner if you go there solo.

Good to know. Thank you.

the needles are incredible, you definitely want to have partners set up before you go, and three weeks is a LONG time to spend there. maybe think about some side trips to the nearby domes and/or an eastside break for a some days in between.

Is three weeks there longer than three weeks somewhere else?

Sort of...the approaches are generally long-ish and get old after a while. It's also pretty hot up there right now.

Evan.... The hike out and back is about 5 miles total. I have done 2 days climbing, 1 rest day.

If you have no car, you will be limited some.

Find a partner (with car) before going would be best.

This way you can go to the Pondarosa, the local bar,store, hang. and get H2O Ice etc. (its about 11 miles)

if you can get to the camping trail head, and have food etc and are ready for 3 weeks, you might have some luck finding partners.

Many,- most of the climbers who go there are not from the USA.

I have had people come and ask if Im looking for a partner so it can be done.

Climb: Igor Unchaned, Atlantis, Ice Pirates, Spook Book,The Howling, Airy Interlude, Spookey and any or all of the most fine climbs one finds there.

Best of luck

Thanks Guy, Ryan, AMT,

I'm trying pretty hard to line up one of my climbing buds. Guy, why do mostly foreigners climb there? Isn't it, like, some of the best granite on the planet??

I don't think that mostly foreigners climb here. The only time is was like that (in my experience) was when yosemite was closed.

To re-iterate what other people are saying
1) a little risky to go there without a partner
2) Going to be there for 3 weeks is not a bad idea, there are a ton of amazing climbs. That said, I would recommend being a solid climber-- there is almost no climbing easier than burly 5.9 there. As others said you may get tired of the 5 mile walk every day-- bring a bike if you can.
3) Yes, there is some amazing granite climbing there.
4) Provisioning (water and food) is not super easy out there, be sure to come prepared.

Sounds perfect.

It is 5 miles each way to the crag from the campsite? Is there a lot of elevation gain or is it mostly flat? I heard people stash gear and water by the base, is it true/safe?

Sorry to hijack your thread but I was doing a bunch of research into climbing there but I think because of limited time I might try Tahquitz instead. Thoughts?

1) no, it's ~5miles roundtrip, some on real trail some on climber trail, low/medium amount of elevation gain
2) Stashing water/gear at the climbing area-- yes, some people do this
3) Taquitz vs. Needles-- Needles is less crowded and fewer moderate climbs

mpech wrote:1) no, it's ~5miles roundtrip, some on real trail some on climber trail, low/medium amount of elevation gain 2) Stashing water/gear at the climbing area-- yes, some people do this 3) Taquitz vs. Needles-- Needles is less crowded and fewer moderate climbs

What about the quality of climbs? It seems like routes are generally shorter at Taquitz? There is a rich climbing history there; is it worth visiting?

" Guy, why do mostly foreigners climb there? Isn't it, like, some of the best granite on the planet??"


It's some of the best crack climbing in the world. Just my opinion...
Climbers who love to crack climb, real crack climbing, will travel.

"What about the quality of climbs? It seems like routes are generally shorter at Taquitz? There is a rich climbing history there; is it worth visiting?"

Taquitz is worth it but the climbs are not as spectacular as the climbs in the Needles. IMHO

If you are a real 5.10+ climber go to the Needles.

Taquitz is the place to learn how to become 5.10+

And look at it this way..... Taquitz was a 1960 and 1970 place to climb... we started to go to the Needles in like 1976...
cause its a big scary place to climb.

oh yea... the hike is about 5 miles round trip.