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The Seal 

5.10a PG13

   

FA: Bob Mitchell, Will Fulton - 1969
Type: Trad
Consensus: 5.10a [details]
Length: 4 pitches, 400 feet
Season: Any
Views: 1,167 page views

Submitted By: Brent Roaten on Mar 22, 2007


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You and this route  |  Other Opinions (19)
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Brent Roaten taking a rest in the 5.9 finger crack...


Description 

The route takes the beautiful arching crack just around the corner from Cornflake crack on the North Face. The arching crack ranges from 5.9 fingers at the bottom to an offwidth through the top of the arch over to the anchors. As I recall, the gear is excellent and there are plenty of stems on the lower part of the route. The crux is a strenous move or two through the offwidth ending in a lovely thin traverse to the anchors. The route continues as an aid climb for a couple of additional pitches.


Location 

North Face of Looking Glass. Obvious arching crack to the right of Cornflake


Protection 

Wide range of cams and passive gear. Save a #4 or #5 camalot for the crux. Fixed anchors at the top



Photos of The Seal Slideshow Add Photo
Happy to be at the anchors

Happy to be at the anchors

Me on P1 of the seal.

Me on P1 of the seal.

pitch one variation:  Killer Whales 5.11

pitch one variation: Killer Whales 5.11

The Seal, Looking Glass, NC.

The Seal, Looking Glass, NC.


Comments on The Seal Add Comment
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By andjoely
From: Atlanta, GA
Jan 18, 2008

You don't need any large cams (like #4 or #5 mentioned)

By Bryan Hall
From: Asheville, NC
Oct 25, 2008
rating: 5.10a

Not PG 13 anywhere on the route.

By John W. Knoernschild
From: Wisconsin
Mar 6, 2009

This is one of the sexiest routes I have ever seen! I am heading out to North Carolina for just for this!

By gripster
Aug 24, 2009

Never saw a spot for a #4 or #5, but I would bring doubles of #1, #2, and 0.75 camalots, plus several small camming units. Not PG-13, in fact this route will take just about as much gear as you can feed it. Warning possible beta spoiler will procede!

I would say that the crux was not the offwidth undercling at the top (all though placing gear is pretty strenuous through that section) but the thin section about 1/3 of the way up the route. You will know it when you get there. It is marked by the finger section getting to thin to use (at least for bigger fingered people) and your feet slowly dwindle to smears.