Vancouver, B.C. - January 29, 2010 - Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSX Venture: PEX) reported that today it granted incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants, to purchase a total of 1,530,000 common shares at $0.20 per share exercisable until January 29, 2015, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's 10% rolling stock option plan. The options are subject to acceptance for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Wayne Roberts, P.Geo., after 27 years with Pacific Ridge Exploration, announced his retirement as Vice-President Exploration effective December 31, 2009 and has now assumed the position of advisor and geological consultant to the company.

"John S. Brock"
John S. Brock
President and CEO

For further information, contact:

Corporate Information
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.
John S. Brock
President and CEO
Tel: (604) 687-4951
www.pacificridgeexploration.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, contact:

Corporate Information
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.
John S. Brock
President
Tel: (604) 604.641.2759
www.pacificridgeexploration.com

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. ("Pacific Ridge") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although Pacific Ridge believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.