Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

The Perfect Storm

5.13a, Sport, 190 ft (58 m), 2 pitches,  Avg: 3.8 from 16 votes
FA: Chris Weidner; June 8, 2019
Colorado > Boulder > Flatirons > South > Seal Rock
Warning Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures DetailsDrop down

Description

The Perfect Storm takes an attractive, direct line up the north face of Seal Rock with a spectacular finish just right of the summit prow.

P1. Locate the first bolt about 15 feet up the gray slab. Pad up low-angled face climbing to a slanted belay ledge with a chain anchor, 5.10a, 75 feet (10 bolts).

P2. This is an exposed and colorful journey up the steepening wall to an anchor below the summit. Demanding moves off the belay and thin face climbing lead to a pillar where the wall overhangs. Follow bolts through a steep, orange corner, then continue right of the arete on surprising holds to chains at the lip of the wall, 5.13a, 115 feet (21 bolts).

**BONUS POINTS: mantel the lip, and walk 20 feet to the true summit of Seal Rock :)

**A 70-meter rope BARELY gets you back to the belay. Otherwise, you will have to lower twice.

Location

This is the first route right of Archaeopteryx. It ascends the gray slab then continues left of two prominent yellow streaks to the top of the wall.

Protection

P1: 10 ½-inch, stainless steel bolts.
P2: 21 ½-inch, stainless steel bolts.

*A half a dozen long slings are recommended to reduce rope drag on the second pitch.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Chris Weidner on the first ascent of The Perfect Storm. <br> <br> Photo: Rui Ferreira.
[Hide Photo] Chris Weidner on the first ascent of The Perfect Storm. Photo: Rui Ferreira.
"Heather Weidner begins the second pitch. A fixed line hangs from the anchor near the summit." <br> <br> Photo: Chris Weidner.
[Hide Photo] "Heather Weidner begins the second pitch. A fixed line hangs from the anchor near the summit." Photo: Chris Weidner.
Chris Weidner deciphers a sequence on a chilly day in May." <br> <br> Photo: Rui Ferreira.
[Hide Photo] Chris Weidner deciphers a sequence on a chilly day in May." Photo: Rui Ferreira.
Chris Weidner working out the moves on a stormy day in May." <br> <br> Photo: Rui Ferreira.
[Hide Photo] Chris Weidner working out the moves on a stormy day in May." Photo: Rui Ferreira.
Heather Weidner follows the first pitch." <br> <br> Photo: Chris Weidner.
[Hide Photo] Heather Weidner follows the first pitch." Photo: Chris Weidner.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Jason Giblin
Denver, CO
[Hide Comment] The 2nd pitch is one of the most fun pitches I've been on in the Flatirons. Mostly good rock, wild position, and some really engaging climbing puts this among one of the best 13-'s in the Flatirons. The crux sequence is wildly fun and unique. This thing deserves more traffic. Sep 27, 2020
Tyler KC
Fayetteville AR/WV/NC
 
[Hide Comment] Wild ride of a route. Awesome, stance & stone. One of the Flat’s bests!

Pro tip: when lowering, use the camo’d permas for a redirectional to keep from being lost in space. Oct 8, 2020
Noah McKelvin
Colorado Springs, CO
  5.13a/b
[Hide Comment] Thanks for the great route, Chris. This route is soooo good!!! Oct 8, 2020
Chris Weidner
Boulder, CO
  5.13a
[Hide Comment] Consensus so far puts this route at 5.13a. Enjoy! Oct 10, 2020
Kevin Dahlstrom
Boulder, CO
[Hide Comment] Super aesthetic route straight up the steepest part of North Seal. It's hard to put a grade on this one - it's a lovely, unsustained 12a with a V6 in the middle and a nearly no-hands rest right before the boulder problem. A strong boulderer would have a good shot at an onsight, and with a little beta, a flash would be highly likely.

An 80m is really nice to have, because you have extra rope to throw to the climber when they are lowered and hanging 15 feet from the belay. Sep 24, 2021