The Bastille!

All Locations > Colorado > Boulder > Eldorado Canyon SP > Bastille > Bastille - N Face > Bastille Crack (5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b)

The Bastille!

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Pulling the final move on the first pitch of the crack. Stellar jams galore.

How many climbers can you find?

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3.3 from 4 votes

Tom Robinson

Apr 22, 2013

“The Bastille!”

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Nearby Photos

The Bastille Crack, route traced....

Steve Baskis on the first pitch of The Bastille Crack. Steve is completely blind, and this was his first ever multi-pitch climb.

More aid foolery on the Bastille. Ben wishing he had a broom.

Ashleigh pulling the crux on the first pitch!

Someone jugging. Not sure who it was. Oh, wait--now I see his name tag in case he gets lost--it's Dan.

Bill Fitzgerald at the base of the bastille, on 9/29/03, taken by Phil Rhoads, as we gear up for the climb. This pic is actually several overlapping photos stitched together, all from the same position across the road, that gives an interesting perspective of the route. What a great climb!

I thought this would have been a handy view. So, I took a picture and made it!

A topo for Bastille Crack. The grade range reflects community opinions. Additional P4 and P5 variations not pictured.
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Photo by Tim Meehan, inset from Google Earth (www.google.com/help/terms_maps/).

Clay took this photo of my kids (7 & 8) working the 2nd pitch of the Bastille Crack.

On top of the Bastille Crack over where the 5.8 finish takes you.

The north and west faces of the Bastille.<br>
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5. Werk Supp, 9+.<br>
10. Northcutt Variation, 10+.<br>
13. Bastille Crack, 7 or 8.<br>
14. Outer Space, 10.<br>
33. West Buttress, 11-.

Hannah working through P1.

Bastille Crack route. Taken March 2009.

If you have the wingspan, this is probably an easier solution to the crux on pitch one.

Leif Coopman, age 5, summit of the Bastille via the Bastille Crack.

Jill on the Bastille.

Most opted photo op?

Heather Sel on first pitch of Bastille Crack, Eldorado Canyon, CO.

Christa Cline at the start of the difficulties on the first pitch. Christa has traversed low, and now must make some hard moves up the thin crack to gain the hand crack above.<br>
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Another approach is to climb up to the flake on the right and traverse across higher. This is less secure, but it avoids the thin crack moves now confronting Christa.<br>
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David Benson on a beautiful day, showing why this route is so classic.

Bill Pelander leading P4 of BC.

Christa Cline on the fourth pitch traverse. A key sidepull for the right hand makes this move easier.

Will belaying at the base of the fourth pitch.

Pitch 5 of the Bastille Crack. Good stemming.

Heather Selitrennikoff on Bastille Crack, CO.

Christa Cline on the last pitch. Christa is doing the steep headwall variation, up a ramp to the right of the easy chimney.<br>
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The pumpy crux is the exit move past the little roof at the top.<br>
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One can also climb the wide crack to Christa's right, but the headwall is more esthetic.

Lower part of the Bastille crack

I can see my house from here!! <br>
Andrew Speers and Dave Kriz on Bastille Crack.<br>
Photo by Nicole Speers

The Bastille Crack in all its glory.

Dan on a cold March 1, but we got down from the first pitch before the snow started falling that day.

HIGH DEFINITION! 5/22/12. Unknown climber on the Bastille Crack.

We were alone on the route that day. Can it be?!<br>
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Fourth of July 2007.<br>
Photo by J. Lee.

Bob Culp on the Bastille Crack - April 2006.

This is a classic climb that is always a good time-good warm up for the rest of the day!

Pulling the final move on the first pitch of the crack. Stellar jams galore.

The Bastille!

How many climbers can you find?

Christa Cline laybacking on the third pitch. The crux is at the small roof 10' above her.

Climbers on the Bastille crack and a few other climbs on a beautiful Sunday evening.

Starting right off the road. Boulders prevent cars from parking at the base. We had to wait for one party ahead of us.

The famous Bastille Crack, pitch one.

Logan belaying Joe up the first pitch of the Bastille Crack.
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Climbers: Joe Reichling and Logan Dop.

Danielle nearing the top of the 2nd pitch. Note the crowd awaiting their turn . . .

Top of pitch 2.

An unknown climber makes an evening lap on the first pitch of the Bastille Crack. Photo: James Beissel, October, 2008.

Creighton Chute starting up the Bastille Crack.

Clay leading P1 with solid pro placements.

The fun begins on this little traverse on P1

David topping out on the last pitch.

View of Bastille.

Bastille Crack.

First pitch!

An untraditional way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Bastille Crack from Wind Tower

FFBA (First Free Barefoot Ascent) of the Bastille Crack. I won't forget my shoes next time!

High up on P1 approaching the belay ledge.<br>
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Photo by Matt Lanning.

Looking up at Bastille Crack.

Mike stepping right after the mini roof on the second, equally fantastic, pitch. It's worth it to break pitches 1 and 2 to savor these moments!

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