Patagonia Clothing System - Black Dagger, The Diamond, Colorado
Starry skies at the trailhead often belie the afternoon realities of alpine rock climbing – especially on the Diamond. High on the east-facing wall, you don’t see the thunderheads rolling in from the west until it’s too late. So start early, prepare for bonechilling wind, try to out-race the showers, and revel in the absurdity of it all.
It’s a three-hour uphill grind to the base, and Capilene® Baselayers evaporate your sweat the whole way. Partway in, as the sun rises over the prairie skyline to the east, illuminating the glaciercarved cirque in fire-orange alpenglow, reality hits: The Diamond is a big day. When the wind kicks up – and it always does – the Alpine Wind Jacket’s hanging mesh liner adds warmth and facilitates wicking, while its shell blocks wind and sheds moisture. The entire time, light, hard-working Simple Guide Pants breathe, protect, and dry in a snap.
Upon reaching Broadway, near 13,000 feet, the real climbing begins, but the morning sun disappears way too soon. That’s when the Nano Puff Pullover clipped to your harness becomes a belay-station heater. If you’re still chilled, just climb in it – the Nano’s trim profile lets you see your feet, so you can tiptoe out the wild roof capping the ominous Black Dagger chimney without things getting any wilder than necessary. And if you get caught by the afternoon showers? A back-up hard shell (like the Rain Shadow Jacket stashed in your pack) staves off a hypothermic soaking, and – if the showers pass quickly – you can wait it out, shake off and keep going.
