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Bam Bam

5.13c, Sport, 75 ft (23 m),  Avg: 4 from 4 votes
FA: Erik Durgin
Colorado > Durango > E Animas > D. Bedrock

Description

Bam Bam is a truly outstanding route that climbs a clean, gently overhanging face on the best rock East A. has to offer. For Durango standards, this is difficult face climbing at its finest! The route breaks down into two distinct sections: the mellow first half of fun and technical 5.12- climbing on vertical rock; and the brutal and desperate second half where the angle kicks back and the climbing is full on till you clip the chains.

Between bolt #3 and #4, one could bypass some difficulty by following a crack out right then traversing back left on slopers. Resist the urge, and stay true to the line, the climbing is fun and the rock is fantastic.

It should be noted that I did not bolt this line. It is an old project originally equipped long before I moved to DGO, I believe by Joel? Given the quality of the line and the strong group of climbers that frequent East A, I am blown away that it has not seen more attention. Hopefully this post will get people psyched!

Location

This ascends the beautiful face just left of Barney's Crack.

Protection

9 bolts, many of which need to be extended to ease rope drag and clipping, and fixed anchors.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Tim Kuss
Durango, CO
[Hide Comment] Nice work, Erik.
'bout time someone brought this thing to life. Surely one of the best routes in town! Apr 6, 2015
[Hide Comment] Correction here. This route was bolted by Joel, not me. I've only been on it once, but I agree with the assessment of quality, potentially the best route I've been on in the Durango area. The rock is significantly better than anything else I've tried at East A, the movement is very engaging, and the crux is sustained and challenging. Also, I found it solid at the grade, significantly harder than correections. Jun 23, 2015
Mike Patz
  5.13c
[Hide Comment] Finally figured out a good way to do the crux. I initially had some low percentage methods that were possible but way harder and less fun. Jan 5, 2019
Ben Kiessel
Durango, CO
[Hide Comment] Two Mussy hooks were added to the anchor…. Apr 8, 2022
Matthias Holladay
On the Road...Looking for a…
[Hide Comment] Two of many, Tim & Joel were, and still are, climbing visionaries. Apr 10, 2022