The Needles, Big Belt Mountains. The Needles are located on the eastern side of the Big Belt Mountains and can be reached by a private-access road of Bill Galts. This seldom visited area saw much climbing activity in the summer of 1986. Over a dozen friction and face routes from 5.2 to 5.8 + were done on fairly good granite. Protection is a problem, but tri-cams and small nuts seem to protect most routes. Of the climbs Tom Bozeman, Keith Brunckhorst and I pioneered, Steppin’ Out (5.7) on Arch Rock and a roof route called Wings (5.8 + ) on No Name Tower remain the best.

Ron Brunckhorst, Unaffiliated