Nate Dike

Skiing rocks when you do it with crampons and ice-axes. Dave, medic Milos and I tackle the Dragon's Tail Couloir at Rocky Mountain National Park in late April. Pictures

Charles and I got spanked. We got on the magnificent dike, cost only to be shut down by the monumental task of handrilling all the bolts. Hand drilling on lead is simultaneously tedious and frightening. We slugged in 4 more bolts and pushed the route 100 feet higher....but the hardest climbing still remains.

A change of strategy is being considered. A power drill is definitely necessary, read and rap bolting may be a solution.

This is / will be the BEST route on Lone Pine Peak. It is absolutely amazing.