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

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

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

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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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Bill Pelander leading P4 of BC.

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David Benson

Jan 1, 2001

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

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Nearby Photos

The Bastille Crack, route traced....

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Ashleigh pulling the crux on the first pitch!

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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!

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Clay took this photo of my kids (7 & 8) working the 2nd pitch of the Bastille Crack.

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/).

On top of the Bastille Crack over where the 5.8 finish takes you.

The north and west faces of the Bastille.<br>
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5. Werk Supp, 9+.<br>
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13. Bastille Crack, 7 or 8.<br>
14. Outer Space, 10.<br>
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Hannah working through P1.

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?

Jill on the Bastille.

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

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>
<br>
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>
<br>

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

Bill Pelander leading P4 of BC.

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.

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.

The Bastille Crack in all its glory.

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.

Bob Culp on the Bastille Crack - April 2006.

The Bastille!

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

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

How many climbers can you find?

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

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

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

Top of pitch 2.

The famous Bastille Crack, pitch one.

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

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.

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An untraditional way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

The fun begins on this little traverse on P1

Clay leading P1 with solid pro placements.

Bastille Crack from Wind Tower

First pitch!

View of Bastille.

Looking up at Bastille Crack.

High up on P1 approaching the belay ledge.<br>
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Photo by Matt Lanning.

Mike stepping right after the mini roof on the second, equally fantastic, pitch. It's worth it to break pitches 1 and 2 to savor these moments!

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