Fastest Drill, also known among locals as the Quickest Drill, offers a compact but exhilarating challenge tucked within Garden of the Gods’ West Face. This single-pitch sport climb stretches 95 feet, demanding focus and steady technique across a long, exposed traverse that immediately sets the tone. Starting from the Cowboy Boot Crack ledge, the route moves left to the line of bolts anchoring this route’s unique character. The traverse itself is unprotected except for the bolts, making every move a careful negotiation between balance and commitment.

As you clip the first bolt, the line leads upward, testing your foot placement and body tension. The crux unfolds just above the second bolt, where a delicate, balancy step up challenges the climber’s control and resolve. This move requires deliberate commitment—once committed, the path steadies through easier moves toward the third bolt and on to the anchors, perched above with clear visibility over the dome’s left sector. The belayer’s role is critical; from the large ledge below, one must be ready to adjust position, keeping tension just right and mindful of the rope end’s safety knot.

Fastest Drill shares a close connection with the adjacent routes, particularly Trigger Finger and Unzipped, borrowing portions of approach and anchor points. Approaching via the first couple of pins on Trigger Finger, climbers can veer left to join Fastest Drill, making it a convenient option for linking routes or modifying a day’s objective based on your stamina and confidence on exposed traverses.

Garden of the Gods itself is a climbing hotspot prized for stunning red sandstone formations, clear skies, and a rugged landscape that feels alive as the winds pick up from the nearby plains. Protection on Fastest Drill consists of five quickdraw bolts that hold well, alongside two substantial bolts securing the anchors. The solid nature of the hardware lends confidence but demands precision—missing a bolt here means committing to the rock above with no natural gear placements to break a fall.

Given the route’s exposure and reliance on bolts, climbers need to approach with solid sport climbing experience, especially being comfortable on technical traverses where falls tend to swing. The timing is best in cooler parts of the day, morning or late afternoon, when the sun plays less harshly on the wall. Summer afternoons can intensify the heat against the sandstone surface, increasing dehydration risk during longer crag visits.

Rope management is also vital, particularly if top-roping from the ledge near Cowboy Boot Crack or Trigger Finger. The belayer should stay ready for upward movement and maintain rope slack carefully to avoid excessive drag on the traverse. Descending is straightforward from the anchors, with a reliable rappel route back down to the garden’s base.

Fastest Drill's blend of sustained moves, exposed footwork, and the bold step through the crux make it an appealing test for sport climbers eager to sharpen balance and mental focus amidst one of Colorado Springs’ most accessible climbing areas. Whether you are ticking it off as part of a larger climbing day or savoring the precision this line demands, it stands out as a brief but memorable climb that invites respect and demands attention.