Starshine

Starshine is THE ice route to do in North Carolina. There are longer gulley climbs in the Black Mountains to the north and sure some harder climbs to be found in Lynville Gorge or on the waterfalls on the Collusaja River, but none of these other waterfalls offers the beautiful position of Starshine.

The climb is visible from Highway 64 and offers spectacular views of Laurel Knob and has awesome exposure.

You can learn more about the climb by watching this video:
vimeo.com/10459515

This route is located on the north face of whitesides. It is probably best to use the map on this page to try and locate the route. As the trail from the parking lot curves around you will eventually find yourself approaching the north face. Eventually, after climbing up to the top of a rise with a well trodden trail, you will look down and follow a steep trail down into the gully over the top of the route - be careful! You don't want to be THAT person who slips on the approach.

Most parties will rap in from the top, a double rope rappel with a 70 m would probably get you to the bottom of the first pitch. Alternatively, you could build a v-thread halfway and rap with one rope all the way to the base in two rappels.

This is not a waterfall. The seep at the top of the north side of Whitesides provides reliable flow but depending on temperatures, you could find fat ice on the first pitch or get into thin stubby territory.

Carry an assortment of screws (at least one long one for a v-thread if you decide to rap in from the top). Stubbies will probably be used on the bottom pitch