Drop Zone

In his many excursions around Clear Creek, Alan has picked out some unlikely looking rock that turned up some fine routes whose obscurity has left them nearly unclimbed. The East face of Highlander is one such spot, hosting half a dozen routes well worth the hike, and providing good respite from the heat. Follow the third class ramp to the right of

Big Man

and up to the base of the East face, this will entail a bit

exposed

scrambling. The first route you encounter is Drop Zone (I have this name in my notes from 1996, but Mark Rolofson lists the line as unnamed. I thought Alan dropped this name the day we did the route) which runs up something of a blocky corner system and a small roof. Drop Zone is good climbing on solid rock. Five years ago there was a bit surface sand to contend with, but this has largely disappeared. Adjacent to Drop Zone is the roof crack "

Dirt Me

" (#31) and this is a burly crack climb.

A 50m rope, 8 draws, and something for the double bolt anchor at the top.