The approach is the crux. Syke's Sickle is the money line on this peak!

All Locations > Colorado > Alpine Rock > RMNP - Rock > Glacier Gorge > Spearhead > Sykes' Sickle (5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a)

The approach is the crux. Syke's Sickle is the money line on this peak!

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Greg leading the runout slab towards the elusive bolt after the crux pitch.

Myke changing shoes on the wall.

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Derek Esposito

Aug 2, 2012

“The approach is the crux. Syke's Sickle is the money line on this peak!”

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Twisting around at the crux.

Matt Battaglia getting "Syked" on a beautiful day in the Park.

Starting up Syke's Sickle.

Nice lichen at a belay.

At the bolt. It is there, you just have to look.

Climbers enter the giant sickle on Syke's. Photographed from the top of the Barb Flake, Friday 9 August 2002.

Eli, at the crux!

A photo route overlay Sykes' Sickle and The Barb.

Tony Bubb leading the crux roof pitch of Sykes Sickle, with his back to the roof, on the Spearhead (RMNP).<br>
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Photo by J. Meir.

Topo showing how we pitched out Syke's. Note that it is possible (and perhaps more common) to stay farther left on the lower portion of the runout slab (P2-P3), then angle back right across the slab higher up to reach the flakes below the giant Syke's dihedral.

Mike leading the fourth pitch, just about to head up the abundant loose flakes.

Pope on a wet 1st pitch.

Looking down on the belay from the roof at Tim Lomaglio, on his 50th birthday. He wanted an adventure, and he found one.

Belay after the crux pitch of Syke's.

Bill leading up on great flake action on pitch one of Syke's Sickle.

Clint following the traverse on pitch 8. The bolt is a still bit further out.

Leading up endless flakes as the sun rises.

Heading through the sea of flakes keep your eye on the prize - the sickle!

Long's Peak, Keyboard of the Winds, Pagoda, and Spearhead.

Ascent of Syke's Sickle, August 1980, with Scott leading the sickle pitch and me belaying.

The Sickle.

Greg leading the runout slab towards the elusive bolt after the crux pitch.

The approach is the crux. Syke's Sickle is the money line on this peak!

Myke changing shoes on the wall.

Tony Bubb leading an early pitch on Sykes Sickle of the Spearhead (RMNP).<br>
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Photo by J. Meir.

Cranking those killer flakes.

Looking out at your stemming objective. That crack heading up and right....

Tony Bubb leading pitch 6, approaching the famous Notch Roof on Sykes Sickle of the Spearhead (RMNP).<br>
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Photo by J. Meir.

Enjoying initial pitches.<br>
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(c) Jesse Ryan 2000.

One of the many flakes on Spearhead. I wonder what's holding it to the wall....

Seth Dee approaching the Sickle.

Pope on a block.

The bolt on the final pitch. It's hard to spot, but it is there out on the face after perhaps 20 feet up the corner.

Climbers on the 4th pitch.

A German climber finishing the crux pitch of Syke's Sickle.

Climber on the middle pitches of Syke's, as seen from the belay behind the Barb feature.

Joseffa Meir leading the airy 5.7 traverse pitch of Sykes Sickle on the Spearhead (RMNP).<br>
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Photo by Tony Bubb.

The final part of the final pitch, past the bolt.

Top of Sprearhead.

In This Photo

Derek Esposito

Bozeman, MT

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