Russells Needle

[elinekl]

Anybody got track notes to climb Russells Needle in Nattai NP? Looks amazing but I heard it's hard to find a track. I think we will will do an overnight trip.

[puredingo]

Pretty sure I remember reading something from Fat Canyoner on here awhile back. If not JackHinde from this site knows the ins and outs. I'm thinking of doing it myself soon.

[GPSGuided]

There's been discussions on the area and Russells Needle specifically. Just do a search. Otherwise Robert Sloss's guide books have more information.

[Grabeach]

http://fatcanyoners.org/2013/04/13 will get the trip write-up with lots of photos. Also gets you my comments on another way in from the south. I've since taken the Prado out that way, so can update road conditions if required.

[jackhinde]

Drop down Starlights, or use Slott way. If using Starlights it is a bash up the scrubby Nattai, with a little detour onto an island. Slott way way takes you right to it. If you come in the other side of the river you will need to cross private property, which means having contacts in High Range. Follow the spur up to the base and follow the cairns. You need a bit of a head for heights. There is a camp site 100m below the access spur that we cleared years ago. Room for three tents.
There has been mention of the top coming off in living memory. I'd debate this.

[Grabeach]

Difficult to debate this with Fr Frank Bendeich as he died on 28 January this year. He was, however, quite certain about the changes he had seen in the 70s. With regard to later changes, I can only go on what I saw in 1988 versus what I can make of Tim's 2013 photos. If my knee ever improves enough for me to walk there again (or if someone can get me mountain bike access along the direct road), then I'll review my comments.

[elinekl]

We made it there, down via a trail that was marked. Once we got to the river we turned left and it was just bush bashing, some parts were signed but not much. Scrambling up the hill and the needle on the top. It was worth it. It took us a long time. We camped at the bottom of the hill because it was getting dark already. Luckily we found a bit of flat. Next day we walked up to the official campground and from there walked up via starlight.

[paul8]

I am a few years late
Here is my trip report and photos on climbing Russells Needle.
https://mntviews.blogspot.com/2019/10/russells-neede-nattai-nat-pk-nsw.html

The report should be useful to others who want to climb Russells Needle in the future.
It describes a route to the summit

Last edited by paul8 on Sun 26 Jan, 2020 2:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Grabeach]

Thanks Paul8. Definitely better late than never.

In view of my previous comments about changes to the summit, Photo No. 67 is of particular interest. It shows the penultimate rock to be waist height. On the trip I was on in 1988 the leader scrambled up a short near vertical face at the top carrying a length of 50mm tape. He somehow braced himself and held the tape for others who desired to ascend.

[YoungCodger]

Graham do you know if anyone has done any rock climbing out there? The location is 10/10, but the rock quality is not...