PRINT: Rock Climb A Route Runs Through It, Central Coast

A Route Runs Through It

5.10d, Sport, 110 ft (33 m),

Avg: 3.4 from 32 votes
FA: Mike Brown & Jeff Buhl, 1992
California > Central Coast > Santa Barbara > Gibraltar Area > Upper Gibraltar

Description

Perhaps the best line on the wall. Start right of Dazed and Confused. A tricky start leads to easier climbing past several bolts. Pull through the steep roof (awesome!), and continue up vertical crimpfest and crux.

Protection

Many bolts.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Just a nice photo hanging out at the top of "a route runs through it". We topped out and hiked down the back side of the crag.

Masha showing her "try hard" face on "A Route Runs Through It." At this point she is between "The Crescent" (to the climber's right) and "The Crescent Direct&…

Happy Feet. Top of Climb.

Start of the route

Cutting loose on A Route Runs Through It.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Benjiman
Santa Barbara, CA

I believe there are 12 or 13 bolts on this climb.
Route is ~35m long (rappelling with anything less than a 70m rope would be bad news). Oct 12, 2007

Jeff Mahoney
Santa Barbara, CA

Just move 10 feet over to the Gibbon/Soul bolts and rap from the links with a 60m. Angle slightly right at the bottom and you're good. Mar 3, 2008

Joseph Stover
Batesville, AR

Alert* the scramble up to the belay area has many large loose blocks. If you stay to the right it is not as terrible, but followers beware. Jun 8, 2010

NKunstek
Santa Barbara, CA

5.10d

I agree. Though the crux is well protected, the moves feel a bit harder than 10c. Can go right into the OW crack for fun 5.9 OW, just bring a #4 BD cam to protect or else you have to run it out about 25 feet like I had to. :) Jan 24, 2011

mystlawer

2019-11-24 update. Climb is still fun and challenging. Placed some gear to protect, then ran out of draws and belayed four bolts from the top. One can forget how long this thing is! The belay stance was actually quite comfy, but gear is minimal and bad.

Top anchor is two solid bolts and hangers set 2 feet back from lip. Bring webbing and rap ring if you want to leave a clean system for others to use. Nov 26, 2019

Ryan Westby
Portland, OR

5.10c

I wasn't sure if the hike up to this wall was worth it until I climbed this. A tricky start leads to pockets, a roof, a chimney (or crimps), another roof, and more crimps over varied rock to the very top of the wall. The view at the top is such a treat. If you're a sport climber in Santa Barbara you should come check this one out. Someone left some webbing and a rap ring at the top, 12/21/19 Dec 23, 2019

Ryan Gormley
Westford, MA

great route! good bolting, each clip has jugs to clip off of Jun 12, 2020

jake w
california

4/2023 UPDATE - Upper Gibraltar is best approached from the top. There is a clear approach trail map on the app that will take you to the anchors which you can rap from. The routes on this wall are some of the longest single pitch sport climbs in Santa Barbara, and the rock is of far greater quality than Invisible Wall. After redpointing all of the routes in early April 2023 I would suggest the following grades based on their current state of breakage: Dazed and Confused - 5.11 (following the bolt line on the lower slab gives it this grade), A Route Runs Through It - 5.10d, The Soul - 5.12- (if you stay to the center/left of the crux bolt instead of clipping the crux bolt and traversing right in The Gibbon. This route is 5.10- everywhere else except this few move boulder problem). The Gibbon - 5.10a/b.
This crag is awesome, get out there and enjoy! But please rap in, trust me, it will be a much more enjoyable experience. Apr 3, 2023