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Bill's Crack

5.8+, Trad, Alpine, 1000 ft (303 m), 8 pitches, Grade II,  Avg: 2 from 2 votes
FA: FA? As Climbed By: Bill Atkinson, D. Byers & Members of Boston AMC May 1971
Maine > j. The Maine Hi… > Katahdin > 02. N Basin
Warning Access Issue: Winter climbing/hiking/mountaneering requires a permit DetailsDrop down
Warning Access Issue: Consult with Park Rangers on climbing policy in such out-of-the-way areas DetailsDrop down

Description

10/6/25 Update- On the basis of comments from two climbers who have done the route recently ( see below) I have changed the climb’s rating from 5.6 to 5.8+ “R”.  R.Hall (submitter & Admin) 

START – At almost the lowest part of the cliff, at the apex of the “V” vegetation.

 P1 – Climb a buttress to its top  5.4-5.5   2021 NOTE: The telephoto photo shows two possibilities for this buttress and associated "crack". My guess is the left one...but only a guess. Hey, you wanted an adventure!

 P2 – Climb up a crack, reach important.  This is “Bill’s Crack”.  5.6 or so depending on height. ( But see 2025 Comment about 5.8 move. )

 2021 NOTE – Pitch lengths were not given for P1 & P2, but I would guess that with modern ropes the pitches might be combined. Ratings are also probably "old school". 

 P3 – Up the wide, red gully and then move left to an area of slabs. There are few cracks in the gulley (very compact rock) and this lead, although easy ( 5.3 – 5.4) is quite unprotected.  From the talus looking up at the cliff this gulley looks very rotten; it is one of the pleasant surprises on this route.  140 ft  5.3 – 5.4 

 P4 – Easily up low level slabs to the base of huge triple overhanging buttresses.  70 ft  Class 4 

 P5 – Up to the right of the buttresses.  130 ft or so,  5.6 

 P6 -  Up for another pitch   (2021 NOTE – just guessing, but probably less than 130 ft ) 

 P7 -  Move left, then back right (2021 NOTE- Hey, waddya want for 1971 ?) Eventually a line of vegetation running horizontally with the top of the “Serpent’s Head” will be reached.  

 P8,9 ..- The line then goes directly to the top, but the FA party reports that they should have moved over left to the Serpent’s Head” and finished on North Basin Headwall, as they encountered much poor rock, although the climbing was not difficult.  See also “The S-Crack”. 

Location

START – At almost the lowest part of the cliff, at the apex of the “V” vegetation

Protection

All Trad pro and anchors

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Not sure which "Buttress" or "Crack" is Bill's, but the Red Gully leading to the "Triple Overhang" is clear in this photo.
[Hide Photo] Not sure which "Buttress" or "Crack" is Bill's, but the Red Gully leading to the "Triple Overhang" is clear in this photo.
North Basin from Blueberry Knoll - Route lines are approximate!
[Hide Photo] North Basin from Blueberry Knoll - Route lines are approximate!
North Basin from Blueberry Knoll - Route lines are approximate!
[Hide Photo] North Basin from Blueberry Knoll - Route lines are approximate!
Eban at the grassy stuff on top of Red Gulley, about to traverse over to where I built the belay below the triple OHs
[Hide Photo] Eban at the grassy stuff on top of Red Gulley, about to traverse over to where I built the belay below the triple OHs
Close up of the "Triple Overhang" Area on Bill's Crack route
[Hide Photo] Close up of the "Triple Overhang" Area on Bill's Crack route
A bit closer with the miracle of cropping....my guess is the left buttress and crack  (black text in this photo)
[Hide Photo] A bit closer with the miracle of cropping....my guess is the left buttress and crack (black text in this photo)
We believe this is the pitch 2 crux section. Photo by Alex.
[Hide Photo] We believe this is the pitch 2 crux section. Photo by Alex.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Nhan Ngo
Bangor, ME
 
[Hide Comment] We started on the right side of the "V" vegetation on a grassy ledge about 2ft wide and 30ft off the deck. There is a nice crack to make a quick anchor to protect the belay, or otherwise start on the ground and climb up if you are not comfortable scrambling up to that point. However I think if you are not comfortable with that scramble, probably don't start on the climb. The first pitch (second pitch as marked, or "Bill's Crack") has a necessary "sloper" move which is more like 5.8. Jul 20, 2025
[Hide Comment] My partner and I attempted this climb on Friday, 10/03/2025. We got off track on the last 0.25 mile bushwack to the base of the cliff and the thick conifer trees ate up about 1 hr, maybe more of our precious sunlight. Once you get to the dense vegetation, locate the left of the two vegetated V grooves (should be directly below the climb when looking at the cliff straight-on). I would take the most direct path up to the V-groove trying climb through the deciduous trees as much as possible (much less dense).
Old school 5.6 rating is not to be underestimated, agree with Nhan that the crux on the second pitch felt more like modern day 5.8 or 5.9.
If you are starting the day from roaring brook the ranger may want you to check-in with Chimney Pond before attempting the climb which adds some time and distance to the approach. Oct 5, 2025
Alex Leger
Bangor, ME
[Hide Comment] I attempted this climb with Bradley on 10/3/2025. If you're linking P1 and P2, Nhan's "5.8 sloper move" comes when you're over 100ft from your belayer and out of sight. The climbing is very insecure and somewhat tricky to protect. I did the 5.9 variation on Whitney Gilman earlier this year and that felt easier than the Bill's Crack crux. There is good gear at the blocky ledge below the crux (probably R. Hall's intended P1 belay) and belaying from there would make this section much less sketchy. Oct 6, 2025
Robert Hall
North Conway, NH
  5.8+ R
[Hide Comment] I thank all the climbers who have commented on this route. I got the original info from Bill Atkinson and D Byers right after they climbed it. He thought it about 5.6, which is what I put it in as, clearly either:
A) The climb has changed in the intervening years, or
B) I totally screwed up in locating the climb on the photo…but one would think that if this were the case someone would have “ found” the correct 5.6 nearby, or
C) Bill could lead 5.8-5.9 R/X in 1971.

Since Bill, who started climbing with the NY AMC in the 1950’s is still “ with us” at over 100 yrs old, I think I’ll e-mail him a copy of these texts! Oct 6, 2025