The Free Lament is perhaps one of the finer short routes in Blodgett. Perfect slab climbing up a very obvious line, and just enough gear to keep it fun.

The climb starts on a high grassy ledge at the true base of Blackfoot Dome. Look for a single bolt 70' up.

Begin climbing just right of a shallow left facing corner. Climb past a large hollow flake and find gear in a small crack in a left facing corner. Step up and left aiming for the bolt above. Follow  the line of least resistance up through a wide crack in a right facing corner. Continue up to the highest good ledge with bolts and an old pine tree growing. 160' 5.8

Pitch two begins by climbing the cracks DIRECTLY above the anchor. Once about 30' up step left into the obvious left facing corner system that can be seen from the ground. Follow this thin corner with small gear to a fixed pin under a small roof. Trend up and left passed small pods to a bolted anchor on a slab. 110' 5.9

Pitch three climbs directly up from the belay following a thin seam into the overlaps. Once the seam closes up continue directly up passing an old fixed RURP and finally a good stance with a solid bolt. Pass the bolt and gain the prominent left facing corner above with a fixed pin at its base. Quality slab climbing with tricky gear placements lead upward into the final crack system leading all the way to the Pod Belay. A bolted belay on one of the more unique ledges in Blodgett Canyon. 170' 5.9+

A short pitch of 5.6 leads to the top of Blackfoot Dome. No fixed anchor exists on the summit.

The Free Lament

Southeast face

Moderate fun direct line up the southeast slabs. Can keep the climbing easier than 5.5 for sure, but can seek out some slightly harder moves if wanted.

Pitch 1: Start near a large tree at the base and aim for the next large tree about a hundred feet up on a large ledge. Belay off the tree. (100 feet)

Pitch 2: Continue working up the slabs until you reach another large ledge. You can either belay off a tree higher up or build a gear anchor in a large horizontal crack. (150 feet)

Pitch 3: Untie and scramble up to the start of pitch 3 at the highest large tree on the ledge. Continue heading up the slabs aiming for trees for anchors. I believe this pitch I made a gear anchor. (200 feet)

Pitch 4: Continue up the slabs. I believe a 70m rope allows you to reach another tree. (200 feet)

Pitch 5: Continue to the top with large trees and belay from there. (180 feet)

Descent: Can bail from the ledge at the top of pitch 2 with an easy walkoff to the northeast. Otherwise walk off to the northeast from the summit to a lower grade Class 3-4 slab. Can either walk off the slab on the most featured terrain or rappel off a tree with some tat and two chain links. Once on the ground descend the gully back to the start of the route or back to the trail. Stay high in the gully to avoid bushwacking, but there really is no good option.

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Routes in Blackfoot Dome