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

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

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

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An untraditional way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Bastille Crack from Wind Tower

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Matt Ekins

Sep 26, 2023

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

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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.

Ashleigh pulling the crux on the first pitch!

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

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!

More info on getting down. Image 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.

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/).

Hannah working through P1.

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-.

Bastille Crack route. Taken March 2009.

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

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

Most opted photo op?

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

David Benson on a beautiful day, showing why this route is so classic.

Jill on the Bastille.

Bill Pelander leading P4 of BC.

The Bastille Crack in all its glory.

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.

Heather Selitrennikoff on Bastille Crack, CO.

Pitch 5 of the Bastille Crack. Good stemming.

The Bastille.

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

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.

The Bastille!

Top of pitch 2.

Bob Culp on the Bastille Crack - April 2006.

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

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

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

How many climbers can you find?

The famous Bastille Crack, pitch one.

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

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

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

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

David topping out on the last pitch.

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.

An untraditional way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

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

Bastille Crack from Wind Tower

The fun begins on this little traverse on P1

View of Bastille.

First pitch!

Clay leading P1 with solid pro placements.

Third pitch. John M.

Looking up at Bastille Crack.

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Matt Ekins

Unknown Hometown

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