Kronthal: A Classic Crag near Strasbourg – and My Journey to Finally Send Jour de faîte (6c+)
When it comes to easily accessible sport climbing areas for intermediate to advanced climbers near Strasbourg, Kronthal is the go-to crag. With a wide range of routes from 7a to 9a, it’s a must-visit destination for any climber living in or around Strasbourg. And for me, one route at Kronthal holds a particularly special meaning: Jour de faîte (6c+).
First Time at Kronthal, First Encounter with Jour de faîte (6c+)
I first encountered this route shortly after I moved to France. I had just started going to a local climbing gym and was slowly making climbing friends. One day, an American climber, T, who was staying in Strasbourg for just a month, invited me to go climbing outdoors. We had been waiting for good weather after a streak of rainy days, and when the sun finally came out on a weekend, we took the chance—it would be my very first trip to Kronthal. Since neither of us had a car, we relied on public transport. I can still vividly recall the excitement of getting off the bus, the dry air, and the blazing summer sun—it was all unforgettable.
Kronthal : Jour de faîte (6c+)
Jour de faîte (6c+): Figuring Out the Right Line
That day we climbed a few routes:
Marrons glacés (6b+) - lead, top-out
Les malheurs de Sophie (6b+) - flash
Sévices sans fin (7a) - top-rope
Jour de faîte (6c+) - lead, ??
Among them, Jour de faîte became the one I’d return to again and again—a personal project that spanned years. At first, I followed what I thought was the correct line: after clipping the 6th bolt (green), I continued left along the crack (yellow). But that section felt far too easy for a 6c+. Later, I realized that the real route went straight up the face (orange)—a far more demanding line.
The Crux Begins After the 6th Bolt:
Right hand to a jug,
Left foot high up,
Lock off a small two-finger hold,
Pull your body in close,
Then explode with a right-hand dyno to a distant hold!
I knew the moves, but holding that tiny two-finger crimp was brutal. Over and over, I’d try and fall, try and fall.
Kronthal : L’art d’accommoder les restes (6c)
A Pause and a “Side Quest”: L’art d’accommoder les restes (6c)
By 2024, frustrated by my lack of progress, I decided to give Jour de faîte a break. That’s when I got curious about a rarely climbed line: L’art d’accommoder les restes (6c). I’d almost never seen anyone on it.
The crux comes at the end—a fun traverse that feels more like bouldering. It requires a solid heel hook and a precise side pull to keep your balance. After 13 attempts, I finally sent it! That success gave me a real boost of confidence.
Finally Sending Jour de faîte (6c+)
I returned to Jour de faîte with a fresh mindset. On the first attempt that day, I fell again at the crux. So I stopped and reconsidered the beta.
That’s when I discovered a key adjustment: by twisting my body slightly and using the outside edge of my right foot on a small hold under the mini-roof, I was able to statically reach the distant hold I’d been lunging for all this time. It felt almost magical.
On my second go of the day (my 20th total attempt), I finally sent the route! All the frustration vanished in an instant, and I was once again reminded—in climbing, beta is everything (…yes, I say that every time 😅).
Recommended 6c/6c+ Routes at Kronthal
If you’ve already done Le marquis de sable (6c) and are looking for your next challenge, I highly recommend these:
Jour de faîte (6c+) – A brilliant line that tests your ability to read sequences and manage endurance. The crux is both powerful and clever.
L’art d’accommoder les restes (6c) – A lesser-known gem with a technical crux traverse. Great for those looking to try something off the beaten path!
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