Geology Picture of the Week, October 2-8, 2005: Threading the Needle (and a challenge)

Climbing in South Dakota ^ | Guillame Dargaud

[cogitator]

Sometimes I don't know how these things happen. I was wondering what I should post as the picture this week, and the phrase "needle's eye" occurred to me. I visualized a vague image of a formation called the Needle's Eye from my youth on a family trip. So I searched, and I found the "Needle's Eye" in the Black Hills. This is probably the one I'm remembering, since we took a trip to the Black Hills when I was a kid, and it seems to match my vague memory. (See the first comment for the challenge.)

For a different perspective, I'm linking to this image:

Climber on Needle's Eye

[cogitator]

Now, here's the challenge. I'm sure (and I've already confirmed, see below) that there are a LOT of other formations around the world called "Needle's Eye" or "Eye of the Needle" or similar. How many images of them can be found? (Post 'em if you find 'em.)

As an aside, I discovered that there is a Needle's Eye trail in Natural Bridge State Park in Kentucky, featuring a small arch called the Needle's Eye. I've been to NBSP twice, and even featured it in a Picture of the Week. But the one picture I found associated with it on the Web was not a very good picture.

Anyway, here is the Needle's Eye on the Missouri River in Choteau County, Montana. Good shot of a remarkable formation.

[cogitator]

** ping **

[Millee]

Wow, makes me weak in the knees just looking at that climber. Cool pic!

[WSGilcrest]

Chimney Rock Park is the natural fulfillment of your trip to the mountains. Take a deep breath of refreshing mountain air, become invigorated by our hiking trails, and let your cares fade away in the cool mists of Hickory Nut Falls. This is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and spend time with family and friends. The Park, located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina, offers the best of the mountains in one place-spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, Nature Center, Native Plant Nursery, a variety of special events and much more.
185 stairs fill this narrow passage developed within a vertical joint in the granite between the Rock Pile and Pulpit Rock. The top portion of the joint is a mass of boulders and blocks, some of which have fallen into the crack and created the "eye of the needle.” As you thread your way through the Needle's Eye, hang on tight and stay focused on the light at the end of the tunnel. You have just conquered the “Ultimate (Outdoor) Stairmaster!”

BTW This was the first hit on Google.

[Rebelbase]

I think in another five vertical feet that climber is going to wish he was about 10" taller.

[cogitator]

I've wanted to go there ever since it was featured in the "Last of the Mohicans" movie (Daniel Day Lewis, Madeline Stowe, Russell Means, Wes Studi, directed by Michael Mann).