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Crossfire

5.12a, Sport, 80 ft (24 m),  Avg: 3.6 from 108 votes
FA: Jack Marshall, Sam Owings
California > High Desert > Barstow Area > New Jack City > Box Canyon East > Crossfire Crag

Description

Difficult start. Slap the sloping arete and slap again for a hidden-edge-like feature. Clipping the second bolt is the first crux. Getting out of the underclings in the hueco up higher is the second crux. You'll need power and endurance to finish off.

Location

Left of The Scene Is Not For Sale (5.10d); start on a boulder.

Protection

9 bolts, chain anchors

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Paul getting ready to clip the third bolt on the Crossfire
[Hide Photo] Paul getting ready to clip the third bolt on the Crossfire
Paul on the Crossfire
[Hide Photo] Paul on the Crossfire
great climb. needs a monument to honor it, but a photo will have to do
[Hide Photo] great climb. needs a monument to honor it, but a photo will have to do

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

C Miller
CA
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] The hardest moves are down low, but save some juice for the upper crux which can feel harder if pumped. Dec 21, 2006
scottydo
ventura, ca
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] This route is probably my favorite sport route that I've ever done. Once you can figure out the moves to the second bolt, then it's just keeping up your endurance to the top. Great route! Jul 9, 2009
Aaron Cassebeer
Tehachapi, CA
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] This route is excellent for New Jack City. A route that I did not fully appreciate until I could climb it smoothly. Feb 23, 2014
drjman
NJC
[Hide Comment] 9 bolts, chain anchors Mar 9, 2016
Choncho
[Hide Comment] Great route! Lots of variety. Nov 16, 2016
Dustin Stephens
  5.11d
[Hide Comment] Excellent route! Apr 7, 2018
Alyssa Kantor
Corona del Mar
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] My darling husband broke off the giant undercling at the 5th bolt a couple of weeks back. The section is still totally doable, and I wouldn't change the grade (since this wasn't a crux and there's plenty of other holds in the area to use instead), but what remains of the undercling is tempting as it still looks usable. It isn't... so be careful grabbing it. We forgot to put an X on what was left of it, but hopefully someone does.

That said, I love this route. It took me a few tries to work out my best beta and make the whole thing flow smoothly, but when it did, it felt great. Jun 14, 2020
Luke Watson
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] A real gem of a route. Intro sequence through the second bolt was really fun (find the feet!) Second crux after the hueco felt committing with a good pump to finish off on some easier climbing Dec 17, 2023
Jor-el Vaasborg
Los Angeles, CA
[Hide Comment] youtu.be/S3E11CqqSbI?si=AEd… Mar 13, 2026
Dean LaDuke
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] This climb is awesome, the crux is after the huco into a small crimp and a press. Once you learn the beta you feel so cool executing the beta. Definitely lives up to the hype. 3 days ago