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The Seal
5.10a/b,
Trad, 400 ft (121 m), 4 pitches,
Avg: 3.4 from 186
votes
FA: Bob Mitchell, Will Fulton - 1969
N Carolina
> 1. Southern Mou…
> Looking Glass Rock
> N Side
Access Issue: Post Hurricane Helene Accessibility of Crags
Details
The CCC has created the list linked below of accessible and inaccessible climbing areas with some caveats. If you decide to head out for a day of climbing, please do not attempt to go to those marked ‘inaccessible’. Please note that all areas in WNC will have extensive tree damage and if you head out, use extra caution for all the trees above, especially on a windy day. Rock fall potential is also highest after a big weather event. Please use extra caution while climbing and prepare to self rescue if injured. Injury response time will be greatly limited for any injury currently, especially for a remote injury. Cell service is limited in all areas. Parking at accessible crags in the WNC/ Upstate SC region will likely be challenging. If the parking lot is full, go to a different area and do not park illegally or in a road. Make a plan B before leaving your house. Expect road detours on the way to the crag. NCdrive.gov updates road closures. Once you get to the crag, expect many trees blocking access trails and of course, come volunteer with the CCC to help us bring our climbing areas back!
carolinaclimbers.org/conten…
Description
Pitch 1 This Pitch 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.
Pitch 2 is a well protected, short and fun 5.8. Find 2 old but good bolts near the middle. Finish on a small ledge with 4 bolts. Rap with a single 70.
Pitch 3 A2+ can be extremely dirty depending on the last ascent. Bring a nut tool and brush for cleaning he crack. The green gully pitch is 130' because of the way it wanders. Follow the left dirty crack exiting up off the slab towards the corner. Clip 2 old 1/4" bolts. a few moves later and clip the 4 bolt ladder. Climb another 40' clipping 2 more bolts. take a minute to look up and left at gray matter A2(lots of heads). Continue up the corner looking for 2 bomber bolts 15' above the large horizontal .75-1 seam. Rap here with a single 70 or continue higher and build a belay on the ledge if continuing. Bring lots of beaks, RP's, nuts, cam hooks, and triples .1-.5 nothing larger than a 2. A single 70 barly gets you to the top of P2.
Pitch 4 5.10 120' Sorry i have not climbed this pitch.
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. For aid bring triple .1-.5, brasies, 3 of each size beak, cam hooks.
[Hide Photo] MJ returns on the Seal. Adjusting helmet after hitting the roof too many times at the 9+ wide section. Photo by Phil Hoffmann.
[Hide Photo] Diff Ritchie on the seal in 1970's
[Hide Photo] Charles cleans a piece on pitch 1
[Hide Photo] D.J. Shalvey leading The Seal with another climber at the shared anchors for Killer Whales
Wisconsin
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. Aug 24, 2009
Vandalia, Appalachia
NC
Boulder, CO
Blowing Rock, NC
- This is beta for the first pitch only.
Jul 24, 2013Alpharetta, GA
NC
Edit to add that if this is my stopper it is a straight-sided Chouinard (8 I think) with a strong wire and in great condition despite its age. Sep 7, 2014
Durham, NC
Greenville SC
Mazama, WA
Brevard, NC
Victor, MT
Eats up gear at the start, well protected at the crux, but its easy to not place enough for your follower just after the crux due to the pump factor, so be mindful of that.
Do it!! Feb 13, 2017
Elko, NV
Chattanooga, TN
Buford, GA
youtube.com/watch?v=MLMmGNo… Oct 23, 2023
Asheville, NC
youtu.be/U9JPL9tF0mk?si=af7… Sep 3, 2024