Linville Gorge, Rock climbing

YDS

5.4 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10a 5.10c 5.11a 5.11c 5.12a 5.12c 5.13a 5.13c

Map

10 9 13 5 1 11 15 12 6 8 14 7 4 2 3

1 Table Rock 2 Ampitheater 3 Shortoff Mountain 4 North Carolina Wall 5 Bouldering 6 Gold Coast Cliffs 7 The Camel 8 The Chimneys 9 Hawksbill Mtn 10 Sitting Bear 11 Conley Cove 12 Linville River Crag 13 Wiseman's View 14 Chockstone Chimney Wall 15 Henson Creek Canyon

Directions in Google Maps

Find Accommodation

Seasonality

Description

Linville Gorge features long, easy multi pitch trad climbing. Beware however the runouts on some of the easier climbs such as Peek-A-Boo at Table Rock. Most climbing is off vertical, while not exactly slab, have your friction climbing skills dialled.

Access issues

Beware that the gate at the base of the paved road is sometimes shut. As of Mar 2014, it is closed so you have quite a long walk up the winding switchback road to get to the start of the approach trail. I think it is opening again in April.

Falcons nest in this area, and seasonal closures are common. Check for current closures before you go.

Approach

To get here, on google maps navigate to: "Ginger Cake Rd and Table Rock Rd, Newland, NC".

Once you are here, follow Table Rock Road (dirt road) up until you see a turn off to the right to Table Rock Parking area.

Warning: If you google Table Rock and try get there like that, you will come to a dead end on Table Rock Road from certain directions.

The dirt road turns into a very steep, paved road with switchbacks up to the carpark at the base of Table Rock Mountain. The climbers trail is marked on Google Maps.

Where to stay

There is quite nice, but primitive camping all along the road to table rock.

Ethic

Predominantly trad with bolted anchors, but some of the more popular climbs at Table Rock have bolts as well as gear. Don't put any more bolts in please, but some of the bolts could use replacing if you know what you are doing.