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Henry Barber, Recluse Keepsake

$500 current bid
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Take home this priceless shadow box featuring Henry Barber on FFA of Recluse, his first first ascent.

Story of the ascent is handwritten by Henry on the back of the frame. The story as written is included below.

Henry Barber
First Free Ascent of Recluse
September 25, 1971 - 5.10d

History: Joe Cote and Dick Arey made the first ascent November 4, 1968. Bob Seymour bet Henry Barber a six-pack of beer that Henry couldn't free climb Recluse. Needless to say Bob lost that bet.

Notes: This was Henry's first, first free ascent ever. Recluse was originally rated 5.9+ as most of Henry's early first free ascents were at Cathedral. We figured that since 5.10 was the top of the rating scale in climbing we couldn't have just climbed something harder. Recluse has been rated as high as 5.11 but settled in at 5.10d.


The hardware is from the first free ascent and was still on Henry's rack in 2020. The Bonatti red gate carabiners used to have a yellow and brown tape on them. The pitons in the picture Henry used to mark with orange paint with a black stripe through it. In 1972 Henry transitioned to nuts for protection and never used pitons again on free climbs after 1973.