Eldorado Canyon
The Bastille Crack
Eldorado Canyon
The Bastille Crack
Single:$420
2 CLIMBERS:$300 / PERSON
Intermediate
Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado
1-Day
One of the most classic climbs in the country, The Bastille Crack begins right off the road on the Bastille, a 350' cliff on the left as you enter the canyon. A summer-time route, due to its north-facing aspect, we start early to escape the heat and the crowds.
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Eldorado Canyon State Park is one of Colorado’s premier adventure climbing destinations; having climbs for everyone, from moderate cracks to thin faces, there’s something to be inspired by!
One of the most classic climbs in the country, The Bastille Crack begins right off the road on the Bastille, a 350' cliff on the left as you enter the canyon. A summer-time route, due to its north-facing aspect, we start early to escape the heat and the crowds.
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This adventure takes place in Eldorado Canyon State Park.
Pre-Adventure Trip Call:
Our team extends the offer to schedule a call before your guided tour. They will discuss the route beta for the day, review gear needs, and share a general time plan for the trip. This is also a great way to ask any questions about the day!
Morning:
Meet in Eldo, and share a quick morning hello, and the day’s itinerary. The team will make any small adjustments to the kit and then take a stroll to our climb.
An integral part of climbing is familiarity with the area and its history. Our team shares some stories and educates as we approach the climb.
The Climb:
Send it!
End Of Day Debrief:
At the cars, we focus our attention on the day; sharing the Rose, the Bud, and the Thorn to ruminate more deeply on the experience. It is often customary ( but not mandatory) to have a meal back in the town to celebrate the great days spent in the mountains!
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The transformation from homestead to what is now the town of Eldorado Springs began in 1904. In that year, George Taylor purchased 480 acres from the DN&P- land granted to the railroad by the government. A year later the Moffat Lakes Resort company started construction on a swimming pool, stables, dance halls, and a roller skating rink. The town flourished, entertaining visitors from throughout the country. Aerialist Ivy Baldwin began his famous wire walk act from the Bastille to Wind Tower and in 1908 the Crags Hotel was constructed high on the North slopes of Eldorado Mountain. It was burned down under suspicious circumstances in 1912.
Bump to the Golden Era of climbing in Eldo, 1957, when Layton Kor arrived with a flurry of new-route activity that has never been equaled in the canyon's history. Notable classics that still remain classics include the Bastille's Northwest Corner and West Buttress, T2, The Yellow Spur, and the Wind Ridge on Wind Tower.
Most of the canyon's great lines were climbed in the next few years by early stone masters including, Bob Culp, George Hurley, Peter Lev, Dave Dornan, Pat Ament, and so on...
Eldorado Canyon remains a traditional, free, and clean, bastion of climbing, sucking the new generation in with the attraction of a lifetime’s worth of classic climbing. Eldorado's modern climbing community, like its predecessors, style strives to push limits. These days speed records and hard free-solos have caught some attention.
What can still be shared, Eldorado is commonly referred to as a second home for the community, proud of its roots and excited by the current generation.
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FOOTWEAR
+Socks
UPPER LAYERS
+Synthetic T-shirt
For Colder Days Please Consider
BOTTOM LAYERS
GLOVES/HATS
+Buff
BACKPACKS
+15-20L Climbing Backpack
+35-55L Crag Pack
ACCESSORIES
+Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Sun Hat
+Nalgene, Minimum 1.5L
+Climbing Snacks: 100 calories an hour!
EQUIPMENT
+Belay Device w/Locking Carabiner
+3 Additional Locking Carabiners
+120cm Sewn Sling w/ Non-Locker
+Autoblock Cord w/ Non-Locker
Smile Mountain Guides can supply rock climbing gear including helmets, harnesses, shoes, ropes, cams, slings, carabiners, belay/rappel devices.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE BASTILLE CRACK
Technical Experience
No Technical Experience Required. As prep our guides will introduce and review the skills needed to ascend this climb.
Fitness
General fitness and foundational climbing fitness are recommended for Eldorado Canyon State Park routes. Crack climbing skills will greatly help in climbing this route.
Meet Your Instructors
FAQ’s
the Bastille Crack QUESTIONS
The answers to our most commonly asked questions for Bastille Crack.
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PRICE INCLUDES
+Guide fees (2:1 climber-to-guide ratio)
+Group equipment such as ropes, helmets, harnesses, shoes, and technical climbing equipment.
+Small multi-pitch backpack
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
+Park Enter Fee
+Personal equipment (see Gear List)
+Transportation
+Hotels/lodging in Boulder
+All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees)
+Trip cancellation insurance
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Smile Mountain Guides provides the following gear.
Technical:
+Helmets
+Harness
+Shoes
+Small backpack
+Ropes and group technical equipment
Smile Mountain Guides does not provide the clothing needed to be comfortable in the mountain environment.
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Smile focuses on small groups and ratios that meet the professional mountain guiding standard.
This climb has a 2:1 guest-to-guide ratio.
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Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.
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Yes! This is a custom adventure!
A large portion of our business is designed around custom adventures. Please email, climb@smilemountainguides.com if you would like more information.