The NW Corner on the Bastille is closed. A ranger called us down off the route yesterday, 6/14. Loose block on the 3rd pitch. The closure sign was torn down and poorly situated away from the start of the route. We probably wouldn't have seen it, anyway.

Is this still closed?

I saw some guys climbing it on Tuesday but they were just doing P1 and P2. Rangers were okay with that. I guess that they are worried that if the big block comes down it could rupture the gas line that runs under the road there.
Mal

Yep still not recommended. Park says likely a week or more 'til they can plan, coordinate, and trundle.

Has anyone else noticed that our routecare system is a little off? Woulda been done for free in Canada by now!

And that free trundle would have ruptured the gas line that runs a few inches under the surface, ensuring a canyon evacuation and closure for a day or two.

I wish free were free.

Mal

So planned or unplanned, isn't the rock going to rupture the gas line if it hits it?

I suggest we pile a bunch of crash pads over the line and let it fly..

BTW Malcolm, I was around the corner on Tuesday and saw what had to be your group.

Correct me if my count is wrong but here's what I got

4 climbers
4 legs
7 arms

I would have liked to say hi but you were gone once I got off your mother. Who would have guessed your mother would've taken so long. Anyway, I think your mother is excellent if a little funky.

Thanks Malcom and Shawn.

Are other routes in the northwest corner section of the Bastille closed, or is it just the Northwest Corner route? -Kateri

NW Corner's the only one I know of. It was the route mentioned on a makeshift sign at the base of the trail, and that is where the loose block is reported to be.

VERY poorly situated sign. I climbed NM Corner on 6/5 and did not notice the sign until the next day after coming off another climb on the Bastille. The only reason we did finally notice the sign was because we were off to the side looking for dropped gear. I cut right about 2/3 up the third pitch to finish on a route on the west face. Maybe we avoided the loose block by coincidence but I don't remember seeing anything loose. Maybe we just got lucky. Someone should consider re-positioning that sign.

Have they trundled yet? Still closed?

P.S....I heard your mother got some new bling! Nice work!

I think we did the first paraplegic ascent of the Bastille. It was Pete Davis (missing a hand and forearm) Craig DeMartino (missing his right foot and ankle) myself (missing right foot and ankle) and Vijay Viswanathan (a T5 paraplegic, so he's not missing anything other than the use of his body from his sternum down.), so we didn't have any normals along. Lot's of work but Vijay climbed the whole damn thing and even passed the guy who was leading the last pitch of Outer Space. My only regret was that we didn't get to the actual summit, just to the bolts at the top of Space Invaders. Next time we'll start earlier and get to the real top.

Thanks for noticing...

Mal