Need advice for a Linville Gorge and surrounding areas trip.

We are going to be in the Linville Gorge area starting labor day weekend through the next weekend. Just wondering how crowded areas can get. We are planning to climb at table rock, looking glass, shortoff, maybe rumbling bald, and the amphitheater area. Mainly looking for moderate muti pitch trad. Any advice would be cool.

Also any info about camping, seems like the camping in the Gorge is primitive but I will be calling the ranger station this week to figure out more. If there is a preferred climber camping spot please let us know.

I've always camped at the table rock campground. It can be crowded, but there's always enough space, even over Memorial Day weekend, so I'd guess Labor Day will be okay. Table Rock and the Amphitheater are easily accessible from there via the mountain-to-sea trail. I've only been to Looking Glass once, and the camping was a little more sparse there.

Some of the moderate routes on the east face of table rock get spammed by top ropers. Jim Dandy is especially bad about it, but you can bypass them. On the weekends I've been there, there's always been at least one party on the Mummy or the Daddy, and I've been on the Prow with 3 other parties. It's popular, but you probably won't have to wait in line or anything.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

I agree that the parking area camping area (which is behind the picnic area) is probably the best bet. There is a bivy cave that sits above the prow overlooking the Mummy Buttress that I've stayed in comfortably (in rain).

We went to the Amphitheater on Memorial day weekend and we had no problem getting on routes. Daddy we waited maybe 20 minutes and no wait on the Mummy. Maybe we got lucky but they are right by each other so pick the shortest line and you should be fine. Things usually tend to flow well. Both of those routes are outstanding.

I've only been to Table once and had a blast but it would be the lowest on my list as far as priorities go. We did White Lightning, North Ridge and Second Stanza, all good but Wl was the highlight for me. I don't know why but the easy moderates at Table just have no appeal for me, maybe its the unnecessary bolted routes with mixed protection or ledgy appearance of the cliff. Just my 2 cents.

You could get away camping at the Shortoff trail head (Wolfpit rd) but I'd prefer haul my gear up and camp atop the formation. there is a fairly dependable spring right at the top of the descent gully. That's one of the (many) gems of NC in my opinion. Both Dopey Duck and Straight and Narrow were spectacular and I've heard great things about the easier ones there too.

Rumbling Bald will still have a good amount of Poison Ivy so watch out for that if you go but the Moderate cracks at the cereal buttress are really good. Camping I dont know about but I would just go as a day trip from Looking Glass.

Camping at LG can be found at the trail head to the South side as well as maybe 1 other spot along the main forest road but if you head towards the N. side and take the forest rd on the left just past the N. side parking there are a few spots down that road, the best being at the very end (running water, a couple areas separated from each other). N.Side is great but may not qualify depending on what you mean by moderate. Routes there start at the low 10's with the exception of one good 9. Still haven't been to the South side which looks good and I wasn't the biggest fan of the Nose area (Sundial Crack) and the eyebrows (and I'm a slab lover) but many love them. I'd give them another try though.

None of them is a "climber campground" in the sense of bridger jacks or Muguels though, Chances are your not gonna roll up on any killer climber parties.

Hope that helps, enjoy your trip.

Scratch Rumbling Bald off of your list, unless you especially like poison ivy, insects, and snakes. It is a cool/cold weather crag. Table Rock and the Ampitheater are easily accessed from the same parking lot/camping area. Just drive up to the parking area. I normally day trip it and dont camp, but it is quite popular from what I have seen. Crowds at TR can be avoided if you stay away from Jim Dandy and the trade routes. Bypass the line at Jim by climbing Skip to My Lou, slide over and give Second Stanza a try if you lead 5.9. White Lighting is one of the best 5.8's in NC and you can avoid traffic on North Ridge. Best advice is to get there first and you will have your pick. Especially important to get to Mummy and Daddy early. Thats what everyone is headed to at the Ampitheater. I am not a big fan of the Prow, but if you do it save for last as it tops out near the exit trail. Rack up and stow your gear there before you head around and down to the Mummy Buttress. Shortoff has few crowds. Manginot will likely be one of the few routes with anyone on it. If you lead 5.9 dont miss Dopey Duck. Trade routes at LG will be busy, especially The Nose and the moderates on the south side. Again, get there early and be flexible in what you climb. I usually day trip LG too, but I see a lot of folks camping right off of the gravel road on the way in. Have fun, I will be out there somewhere too, but probably up in the Boone area where it is a little cooler.

Spent Labor Day weekend at Shortoff once. Saw two other climbing parties and a handful of hikers on the MST all weekend. The little camp spot near the topout of Dopey Duck looking over into the Tilted World is where ya wanna be. It's special.

The spring let us down though. Don't count on it.

Shortoff is quite nice during the Summer to Fall transition.
A bit sunny.