Climbing at The Needles - Sequoia National Forest - California

" Little did we know this would be our last visit to 'The Needles' before the SQF complex fire would roll through these most cherished granite spires of the Southern Sierra. The vibes were high, as we saw familiar faces, & met new friends at the trailhead. The spring days were cool & crisp, and early season stoke was in the air. We hoofed our water & snacks in, deciding to make a discreet one-night camp at the notch and got an extra early Friday-start to the busy weekend.
What really can be said about the purest of deep blue skies, surging clouds, and highlighter-bright lichen on pearlescent granite sliced by splitters galore... I just know that It’s a special, earthy, & purifying place unlike any other I've been to. we arrived with a plentiful stash of fruit, chocolate, gummies, & beef jerky that we dished out to appreciative parties much stronger than us- who had finished their own objectives.
I sat the next morning in intentional prayer, offering as much thanks as i could for this beautiful zone, the great community that was there, the opportunity, the experience. I took a voicenote, trying to recall the emotions I was going through, and transcribed it into this short prayer. Please Enjoy the video & vibes. It’s a real tragedy that this year's Fire was the big one many felt was coming. but we trust that the Needles, The land, and its spirit, will endure.
Blessings & Healing to all. "
[from original IGTV post]
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Climbers:
Colin Sander - @colin_films
Bill Clapp - @billclapp
Special Thanks:
Arc'teryx La Brea
arcteryx.losangeles
Sequoia National Forest
sequoianationalforest
Kern River Conservancy
kernriverconservancy
La Sportiva North America
lasportivana

[@stealth1fighter]

Stunning Magical place

[@Razor_Farts]

Absolutely spectacular video! Love your style brother. I live pretty close to the Needles. It’s on my bucket list to climb them some day. Hope you are doing well! Peace my man.

[@ColinSander]

Even if you aren't quite ready to climb there, it is absolutely worth hiking in, at least one of the domes can be reached without technical climbing (3rd class)

[@clangrant]

Lovely video, brothers! I’ve climbed there over 100 days, done most of the routes into hard 11s. Magical. My climbing buddy Kris wrote the guidebook. AND you found Seven Teacups, too! Done some great FLYFISHING there at lower water.

[@ColinSander]

Grant, that's awesome !! I'd love to meet up, or do a climb up there together. I'm pretty much a 5.10- climber, but have followed some stiffer things. Mostly just enjoy being out there ! I'd love to hear some stories from you. & Cool about Kris ! I still have not 'descended' the Seven Teacups, but swam at the base of it many times!

[@HoyaSaxaSD]

Wow, that’s amazing. Great job and great video. At what part of the video is the Notch? It was in the news recently (alas), and I was trying to get a sense of how precarious the location is. Thanks, and glad you safely and successfully completed those climbs.

[@ColinSander]

Thanks ! the notch is seen at :45 and also 5:30. It isn't particularly dangerous- but has some steep and rocky terrain around it.