Gill's Crack is a strenuous route up the steep west face of Gill's Buttress. Start out by climbing about halfway up the slab of Boyscout (rt 57). When you reach the waterstained rock with a faint crack, begin your ascent up the face to your right. Thin moves near the bottom transition into finger jams and laybacks about 20 feet up. The crux, in my opinion, occurs just before the depression in the rock that leads into the hanging dihedral. A fun route!
Wow, another great example of Devil's Lake sandbags in the old days. I climbed this multiple times 71'-73' and my guide called it F9b and I thought it right on for Devils' Lake. (Not counting having to get my buddy rescued after his knifeblades pulled on his lead attempt) Another "Must Do" Lake classic!!
The guidebook is wrong (as usual). First ascent was done by Gill, as Steve has mentioned. I did an article on some of his classics at Devil's Lake, including Gill's Crack. I interviewed John for said article. Ascent was solo, in boots, and in 1958 or 1959 (the years he completed the seven routes I had asked about--1958-59 was the answer).
By Jay Knower Administrator From: Plymouth, NH Nov 28, 2006
I heard the following story: Gill attempted to solo this route and when he got to the crux, he botched his sequence. He fell, but managed to land, cat-like, on the slab of Boy Scout. Without returning to the ground, he climbed back up and completed the route. Since he stayed on the wall and did not return to the ground, his fist ascent was considered an onsight despite his fall.
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