Needle Peak
How to get there
Take Highway 1 east to hope, then highway 5 north. Exit at the Zopkios ridge exit, and park on the east side of the highway by the maintenance shed. It's about a 2 or 2.5 hour drive from Vancouver.
Scrambling
The easiest way to get to the top of Needle Peak is via the West Ridge. From the maintenance shed, cross a creek and follow a trail marked with oranage markers. Once out of the trees, the trail crests onto a flat bench. Follow the trail south along the sparesly treeded ridge, which leads to a bench and eventually the toe of the west ridge. Continue along the ridge crest for 500m, until the base of the summit pyramid. Follow a ramp right of a large block into a gully. Ascend the gully over boulders to a chimney, which is the crux of the route. There is moderate scrambling here, with little exposure. From the top of the chimney, follow ledges and ramps to the summit. (A short version of Matt Gunn's route description). This is only the easiest route and many variations are possible on the ridge, so go explore and have fun.
Other routes on Needle Peak include the north ridge, which has some 4th class sections.
Skiing
<<TBD - some info about ski touring around needle peak>>
- Great Sking is to be had all around this area.
October 21, 2006 trip
Richard So is organizing a trip to Needle Peak. The group will leave Vancouver at 6:30am, have breakfast in Hope and be hiking by 10am.
Sign up
- Richard So
- Andrew McGechaen
- Matthew Zieleman (I'll try anyways)
- Natalie Stafl
Cars
- Andrew (6 seats total) leaves from near UBC
- Andrew
- Natalie