Start at the top of the notch between Aquarium Rock and Icehouse Rock, 60 feet to the left (uphill) of the Conn Route (NW Chimney). This notch is reached by scrambling up from the downhill (southwest) side of the two rocks.P1: Go up and left in cracks and blocks to reach an obvious, left leaning crack (there is now a four bolt direct start that begins on the ground on the uphill side of the notch). At the top of the left leaning crack, go up an obvious right-leaning crack. This crack goes about 25 feet up and right and around onto the southwest face of the rock. You'll eventually intersect with the Conn Route.p2: Follow the Conn Route to the top.

Octopus' Garden

Old Man’s Face

Conn Route

Four Little Fishies

Sea Monkeys

Leaning Jowler

Red Fish, Blue Fish

Walking the Plankton

An amazing old school classic that has been neglected over the years. Would benefit from some brushing.Begin in lichen covered flakes to the left of the leaning jowler. Follow the thin fracture up to a bolt, from bolt climb out to more bolts. Continue to follow the thin fracture up to a small roof and clip the last bolt. From the last bolt climb through a final roof and then to the anchor. BURLY.

This climb starts at the high point between Aquarium rock and Icehouse rock. This is easily reached by scrambling up some boulders on the southwest side of Aquarium rock.

 Pitch 1: Climb a right leaning crack/flake to an obvious large ledge on the south side.

 Pitch 2: Make a move up, then traverse right to reach a low angle chimney. If you're squeamish, this traverse can be protected by a .3 cam. When you get to the chimney, climb the face placing pro in the chimney when possible. Another ledge is reached at which a belay can be set if desired. Otherwise, traverse to the right again and head up when the climbing looks easy. This last section is runout but the climbing is very easy.

 Descent: Walk East, crossing the pools, to the opposite side of the summit to reach an anchor with long chains (there is a second anchor 6 feet lower, if your rope is short). A single rope will just get you to the ground on the north side of the rock. On the ground walk a little East and tunnel under the large boulder blocking the gully between Aquarium Rock and Photographers' Peak.

A committing "sport" route. Follow the trail from the parking area north, it will turn uphill towards the left side of Aquarium Rock. The route starts on the left side of the gully at the base of a slab. Scramble the slab to the high first clip. Fire straight up the well-worn face past four bolts, followed by a long runout on easy low angle terrain with potential for minimal pro (slinging horns or small nuts). Options for an anchor at the top include slinging a natural arch or building an anchor with small-medium cams. A one 60m rappel from the backside gets you down. A short downclimb is necessary to reach the rappel bolts.

Next line right of the classic Four Little Fishies. Start up right facing crack/flake, place a piece, then follow bolt line up through the pumpy bulge up high.

This is the Face to the left of Four Little Fishies with four or five bolts leading to a crack. Follow the bolts through some thin and sometimes sharp edges to the crack.  The crack will take a #1 or #2 Camalot and protect you to the anchors.  Rap back to the base.Good, Solid 5.11

Originally toproped and named by Piana and Skinner. Aside from one bolt and some pins already in place, all bolts were placed on lead. The last bolt was drilled while hanging off a wild Big Bro placement. Easily the steepest line in the Needles with huge moves between huge holds. Fairly short yet very stout. Crux is leaving the last bolt. A #3 is nice before the bolts, and a #1 is key once the crux has been pulled.

Once the hardest climb in the Black Hills, and  given the methods used to establish, somewhat controversial for the time. Originally top-roped by Eric Doub, then first freed on TR by Kevin Bein, June 17th, 1987. Some bolts were placed by Greg Child and later finished by Rusty Lewis and Pete DeLannoy. This line is a dedication to Kevin Bein (died summer of '88). Follows a steepening black streak with short hard crux near the top.

This is the second largest rock in the Photographer's Peak area.  It has my favorite climbs of the area on it.  Four Little Fishies is a great 5.9 face climb, and the 5.3 Conn Route is one of the best 3 pitch beginner's routes imaginable (gear).

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in Aquarium Rock