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Sport crag near Durham, NC?

Original Post
runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30

Work might take me to Durham. No definite timeframe so I'm just thinking out loud here.

I have climbed once at Looking Glass. Never made it to Haskell mountains though. Although I like the bold run out trad climbs in NC, I don't want to do that every weekend. And plus, having learned trad out west on granite, the stuff in NC just doesn't feel the same (please don't shoot me).

I'm a bit spoiled as I'm kind of close to RRG and I like what sport climbing offers in terms of physical training. Is there somewhere within like a hour or two that is high quality, with full length sport climbing from Durham?

Thanks-

csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330

Pilot, Cooke's, and Suaratown (if open, check with the CCC website to find out more about access) are your closest sport climbing. None will compare to the Red, but they are within 2 hrs and still pretty good.

There are also some quality sport climbs at Hawksbill and other parts of Linville, but that's more than 2 hrs away.

Not all of NC is bold/runout trad. There is lots of well-protected gear climbing that is relatively safe. The bouldering and gear climbing at Moore's is fantastic and within 2 hours of Durham.

Chris Whisenhunt · · Fayetteville, WV · Joined Jun 2010 · Points: 995

4 hours to the nrg.

Brian Payst · · Carrboro,NC · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 10

Pilot is the closest, about an hour and a half. Sauratown will be open January and February, Hidden Valley is 3 1/2 to 4 hours, the New is 4. Stone, bolted but not sport climbing is 2 1/2 so you can get your slab fix in. If you Boulder and join the CCC (the lease requires that you are a member) Asheboro is about an hour.
NC trad is excellent, certainly different from western granite, the gear can be more complex and the routes more thought provoking, but you should definitely get on the trad routes to get the full experience and many of the best routes are trad

runout · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 30

How are the gyms in the area? Because as sad as it is, it is where I'll be going after work if the drives are more than 30 minutes long.

Brian Payst · · Carrboro,NC · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 10

Gyms here are excellent. Triangle Rock Club has 2 locations, one with 55 foot walls and Progression Climbing in Chapel Hill has great bouldering.

cfuttner · · Chicago, IL · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 5

Stone is only 2 1/2 hours if your driving like my grandmother. Just sayin Brian. Closer to 1 3/4.

Brian Payst · · Carrboro,NC · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 10

Whatever Chicago. Enjoy those crags so conveniently close to town. Oh, wait.

cfuttner · · Chicago, IL · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 5

Tis true. I can fly into Raleigh/Durham, rent a car and drive to Stone just as fast as driving from Chicago to Devils Lake. Oh whoa is me.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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