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The Fin
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Dark Horse 
Dorsal Fin, The 
Fin Arete, The 
Fins and Needles 
Hand Drills Suck! 
Other Intentions 

Dark Horse 

5.11 R

   

FA: Mark Ward, Kim Miller: 1979
Type: Trad
Consensus: 5.11 [details]
Length: 3 pitches, 200 feet
Views: 237 page views

Submitted By: Orphaned on Nov 13, 2007


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Approach 

From the 4th bolt on The Fin Arete.


Route Description 

Start on The Fin Arete.
Pitch 1: Branch right, toward the roof. I used a short runner on the bolt protecting the (physical crux) roof despite recieving rope drag. It was OK because the belay is right after you clear the lip.
Pitch 2: Climb straight up one of the most exposed hard slabs you may ever climb. Clip the lead rope through the belay anchor to prevent an FF2 fall on the hanging belay. This is the psychological crux. Belay at a 2-bolt station above a dike.
Pitch 3: Finish up a prow that joins The Fin Arete.


Protection 

The scariest runout section is directly above the first belay station shown. I suggest a few quickdraws with locking carabiners.


Descent 

Continue straight up The Fin Arete to a 2-bolt station directly above a large corner/crack. Rappel 80' to a low angle slab. Scramble down to Gargoyle Gully.


History 

Some of the bolts were placed while rappelling.



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By tenesmus
Nov 14, 2007

This really is good beta - I'll be bringing a short draw with that in mind. This route has a serious rep. Last spring someone mentioned there was a horn in the crux that used to get slung but that's gone now. They said the FA's wanted to go and remedy this and make it safer. Anyone know if that happened.

I aspire to this one.

By bsmoot
Nov 14, 2007

Don't think it's happened yet. I'm hoping to get up there with Kim though.