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Zebra Seam

5.11d, Sport, 75 ft (23 m),  Avg: 3.5 from 109 votes
FA: Bob Martin & Ray Snyder (1970) | FFA (TR) Alan Watts (1981) | FL Steve Byrne (1984)
Oregon > Central Oregon > Smith Rock > (g) Morning Glory Wall
Warning Access Issue: 2023 Seasonal Raptor Nesting Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

This route climb the attractive left-arching corner system a short distance to the right of Zebra and shares anchors with that route.

* Originally led without bolts, this was a serious lead; it was later retro-bolted and has became a popular (and safe) lead.

Lieback, jam and stem your way up the corner taking full advantage of the many edges for your feet, and occasionally your hands, to a crux at the very top of the route.

An excellent climb with technical movement and a heartbreaker crux at the top (for those who pitch off there). There are no real stopper moves on this route, and if you climb efficiently and don't get overly pumped it's in the bag.

Location

You'll find this route immediately right of Zebra Direct and two routes to the right of Gumby.

Protection

8 bolts, 2 bolt anchor/rap

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Zebra Seam
[Hide Photo] Zebra Seam
Andrew delicately chasing staying one step ahead of the shadows on Zebra Seam
[Hide Photo] Andrew delicately chasing staying one step ahead of the shadows on Zebra Seam

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Max Tepfer
Bend, OR
[Hide Comment] The crux move of this route is somewhat contrived and totally skip-able by reaching left to the finishing jugs of Zebra Direct. I did this just after grabbing the two finger pocket before the crux and it felt mid-11ish. For the +, climb straight up using the pocket and small nubbins out right to an old bolt right of the chains. (makes a good directional) Apr 21, 2011
rees labree
Boulder, CO
[Hide Comment] does this go on gear Sep 6, 2018
C h a d
5.12a
[Hide Comment] Rees, Zebra Seam has been freed with gear as the sole protection.

Chad Sep 7, 2018
Quincy aka Tiffany Samson
Seattle, WA
 
[Hide Comment] Very sustained. Some awesome liebacking. You can get away with sidepulling more than proper crack climbing. I thought the hardest parts were in the middle. There are 2 short enjoyable traverses on the face. I disagree about the crux being after the last bolt even without using the huecos because there is an awesome undercling up high for left hand, a super great nubbin on the right. Even for a short person the final large undercling is easy to reach with one hand and once on it you can move your feet, reach over and tap the anchors. Sep 17, 2018
Dom R
Estes Park, CO
  5.12a
[Hide Comment] I feel like the sustained nature of the route gives it a hard 11 grade more than any single crux move. Not a route with straightforward pulling on it, lots of stemming and weird off balance lieback moves, make it feel hard if you're not well versed in that sort of thing. I forgot my stickclip and found that a .75 camalot helps protect a couple of the moves off the ground, but you're still in groundfall territory clipping/getting to the first bolt. Fun climbing, aesthetic line. Nov 18, 2018
Jason Chinchen
Bend, OR
 
[Hide Comment] I found the cruxes to come lower than the last bolt after working that section. Jan 19, 2020
Pete Muffoletto
Oakland, CA
 
[Hide Comment] Super fun route that doesn't seem to get as much traffic as neighboring routes. Beware, the 2nd bolt hanger has some play to it as of 11/19/2023 but the bolt itself doesn't seem to move. Nov 20, 2023