[Hide Comment] There are bolts atop P1 boulder now. I would say a 4" or 5" is mandatory for the offwidth start for P2. Oct 5, 2009

[Hide Comment] Big gear helpful. Chimney section short I think 5.7 with adequate pro. Take big gear and walk it up the 5.8 offwidth early on second pitch. By big I mean threes, fours, maybe a five. First few moves on p1 are not protected. Sep 18, 2011

[Hide Comment] All around Great Climb with a little bit of everything!!! First pitch has excellent face climbing with tons of pro. There are old bolt anchors under the main roof with bushes around it on the first pitch, but climb up and right through the juggy roof section to arrive a'top a massive boulder with brand spanking new bolt anchors under the beginning of the second pitch crack. Second pitch is super fun, a little spooky just because of the awkwardness of your body position. Big gear is helpful but you can totally find places for mid sized gear as well! Leave your backpack on the ground if you can because it makes this second pitch a pain to wear one!! Mar 13, 2012

[Hide Comment] The first pitch can be top-roped with a 70 meter rope. May 23, 2012

[Hide Comment] There are two options for the 2nd pitch chimney:
1. You can stay on the outside of the Chimney which is more featured and less awkward.
2. You may choose to romp it up inside the chimney where it is possible to place a 5 or 6 Camalot in the back. (You may want to take your helmet off for this option)
No need for anything larger than a number three on this one. Just slide it up the back of the crack as you move. Jun 18, 2012

[Hide Comment] Anyone know if the 12a that breaks off to the left after P1 is still doable? It's in the guidebook, but I don't see it here. Called Helios I think? Apr 12, 2013

[Hide Comment] This is a fantastic climb with sustained climbed throughout. Getting off the deck takes a little thinking and a spot may be in order. The climbing is pretty steep and I remember actually hanging off a perfect jam with 90+ feet below me! As previously mentioned continue up and right through the steep (and juggy) section and you will find the bolted belay just below the start of the 2nd pitch chimney/offwidth . I seconded the second pitch with a pack dangling between my legs, and it sucks!! Either leave the pack on the ground or try and grab the lead for 2nd pitch. Sep 4, 2013

[Hide Comment] We climbed this on 4/27/2014 and there is a basketball sized loose block at the exit moves near the top of the chimney on the 2nd pitch. Use caution as it's easy to grab it from below when reaching up for a jug. I was going to trundle it, but there were people in the area below. Fun route, but you want to be solid at the grade, we didn't use anything larger than a #3 Camalot. Apr 28, 2014

[Hide Comment] This route awesome! But it is NOT a beginner 5.8. This climb requires some off width and chimney climbing that is not common in Linville, especially Table Rock. The first pitch is pretty sustained and rope drag can be an issue. The first move off the ground is pretty hard. As for the second pitch, larger cams are not necessary if you don't mind running it out a lot. The first off width crack will take BD #3 and #2 and some larger hexes. I could not find anything in the upper chimney that would take a #3. Bring #4s and #5s for this section. The risk of falling is low if your comfortable with chimneys, but a slip could result in a huge fall with out larger cams for protection. Don't bring a backpack as it is hard enough with a rack of gear. In the chimney I got my helmet stuck so taking it off might have been the best option at that point. Overall it was an excellent climb very different from the Table Rock style. My first chimney climb and off width crack. I would recommend following P2 if you have not climbed this style before and to bring larger cams to protect the chimney. Definitely a classic in my book! May 26, 2015

[Hide Comment] Parking lot to parking lot in under 49 mins. Anyone under 30 mins? May 16, 2016

[Hide Comment] This route gets a lot of seepage after rain. Makes the roof section on P1 and the chimney section on P2 much more difficult. Apr 3, 2017

[Hide Comment] Excellent climb! One of my faves in all of NC. Sandbag boulder move --> Steepening corner --> Killer belay ledge --> Wide awesome crack --> legit ridiculously fun chimneying --> Majestic topout. This is full value 5.8. Enjoy the incredible belay position at the top of P1! Apr 3, 2017

[Hide Comment] I have 2 good stories about this route. One summer day in the early 80's I hooked up with a guy and we did this route. I made a move or two up the second pitch and found a piece of gear. I said "OH WOW!" I went a little further and found another. It was very creepy. Kind of like coming across the Mary Celeste. When we got to the top, he (Jimmy?) took the gear and headed off to Arizona to climb there. I was talking to Doug Reed a few days later and he had heard about it. Apparently it belonged to Byron who had been guiding for O.B. OOPS! When they got to the top it started to rain. Byron figured he'd come back later and solo up to get the gear. But we showed up first. The second story: Dan Flowers, Sean Cobourn & I were hanging around the parking lot after the sun had set. This might have been the same day we re-bolted MY Route. We heard a girl's voice calling for help from near the top of Cracker Jacks. Dan & I went to get her. We were heading up the trail when we met 2 guys coming down. They had for some odd reason, left her, rappelled down, and were going to get her. (I know-it doesn't make sense.) We told them we would get her. They asked what they could do to help. Dan, being Dan, said, "You've done enough already!" One got mad. I stepped in between and said "First we'll get her down, then fight." We headed to the base of Cracker Jacks, Dan took my Gibbs ascenders, and headed up the rope. Apparently, the damsel in distress was the wife of the quiet guy, who was an F.B.I. agent. We had fun with that. We told him Dan Was a ladies man. That was a lie. He was a whore! When I'd camp with him, I'd plug every hole I had and sleep with a large, very powerful gun in each hand. Anyway, F.B.I. guy said he didn't care as long as she was smiling when she got down. We assured him she would be.Eventually he lowered her. She was cute. No wonder he took so long. Hopefully the guy who came up with the plan to leave her there, got a little bit of instruction and learned to use it Oct 18, 2017

[Hide Comment] Awesome climb. Loved stemming the first pitch and jamming on the second pitch before the chimney. Second pitch had some intimidating exposure. I put a #4 in the back of the chimney then moved back out closer to the opening to chimney up. The good holds and gear are on the edge of the chimney where the exposure is :). I’d go left shoulder facing out for the chimney. Nov 17, 2017

[Hide Comment] "First we'll get her down, then fight."
Chris Little, that story is one of the best ever. Thanks for sharing!!!! Feb 19, 2018

[Hide Comment] Can someone confirm the anchor status on top of the first pitch. Are there still bolts on top of the pitch or do I still need to take up to # five c4 to belay in the beginning of the big crack? Its been a few years since I have done it. Apr 11, 2018

[Hide Comment] Allan, yes there are 2 ring bolts there. Apr 11, 2018

[Hide Comment] Use long runners on first pitch or rope drag will become an issue. When nearing the roof on the 1st pitch stay to the right and keep going up, the anchors were up a bit higher than I had anticipated. There are a couple poison ivy plants on the way up to the belay ledge and one growing on the side of the belay ledge. The first crack on pitch two will take #2 and #3 cams. Placed one #5 in the off width chimney up top. The crux for me was the initial move up into the chimney, you have to slide out to where it is wide enough to fit your body and the position was a bit exposed. After getting into the chimney just worm your way up up and out. Good crack to build gear anchor up top that will take cams from .5-#1. Sep 9, 2020

[Hide Comment] I am clearly out of synch with how bolts are now viewed, but I will still plead, beseech that everyone stop putting in unneeded bolts!! Crackerjack has never needed bolts—NEVER!! Stop defacing the rock & dumbing down classic routes...please Apr 20, 2021

[Hide Comment] Can bail off first pitch on a 70mm rope if the chimney is soaked. Just make sure it’s even and tie some knots! Jan 2, 2023

[Hide Comment] Start of crackerjack trail: 35.88799, -81.88488
Crackerjack belay: 35.88872, -81.88469 Jun 17, 2023