The Sword of Damocles

About

The Sword of Damocles is a short, moderate trad climb located on the Western Slope near Palisade, Colorado. The route is a 50-foot crack climb characterized by a splitter finger-to-hand crack that transitions into a steep finger and hand crack before reaching the anchors. The name derives from the climbing conditions: a large, loose flake sits wedged in the crack just above the established bolted anchor, creating a hazard for those who continue upward. Climbers are advised to stop at the current anchor rather than attempting to free the flake. The climb requires a light rack of cams (BD #0.4 to #2) and nuts. It is situated on the leftmost section of a rock outcropping on the right side of a south-facing wall. Parking is available at the base, and pets are permitted. The elevation is listed as 5,197 feet in the database, though some sources cite 7,527 feet. The route is accessible year-round.