Ice Ice Baby: The Black Dike - 3/19/26
Mar 19, 2026
One of my all time favorite ski partner, Young Gabe, returned for spring break from college out west. Of course, we had to go ICE CLIMBING!!!! The Black Dike (WI4, 500ft)
The Black Dike!!!
Gabe, Andy and myself started walking towards the cliff around 6am. We hiked up the talus field, slipping on the boulders and dealing with the snow-less approach. We racked up and prepared for the climb.
Setting off on P1
Plastic ice, great climbing and comfortable belays had us smiling and enjoying the terrain. The first pitch was all ice, devoid of the snow that typically plagues this section. The second pitch, was fat enough that the direct ice route was chosen over the typical rock traverse. The last pitch was just the right amount ice to protect well and provide a safe exit. Narrow ice runnels and snot-colored ice led to quite the perfect climb.
Young Gabe cruising!
The last pitch.
Young Gabe, his first time up Cannon Cliff, looked rock solid. His training out west is paying off :).