Winter Months in North Carolina

What's it like, particularly in the area around Asheville, NC, for months December through March? ClimbingWeather.com average temps seem doable for extended van living, although with the potential for discomfort.

Issues to be concerned with for the person in nonresidential status residence?

I'm not going to the southwest this winter and toying with other ideas.

I think it's doable temps through the winter here. Rather than specifically the Asheville area, I'd be looking at Linville/Shortoff, Stone Mountain (though free camping is harder), Rumbling Bald (GREAT winter climbing but again, not on NF land). If you are solo and trying to partnerfind, NC won't be that great through the weekdays. Chattanooga would probably be better. Some others might weigh in with Asheville specific crags that get good sun with camping options.

Thanks Tim.

I can certainly live with climbing on weekends and using weekdays to work on my business ventures and will take a closer look at the areas you mentioned.

Chattanooga has come to mind too - thanks for mentioning it. Since I have several months, and gas prices are so low, I can spend some time there. Really I can pretty much wander as south as Alabama and Georgia, but I do love that upper southeast area. Just starting to suss things out.

Remember that the forest service closes the road to the glass if it snows or rains a lot making it quite a long hike in. Cedar is also an option. Stone mountain isn't far not is the laurel knob or white sides.

Thanks for the forest road closure beta - very important.

No prob. Just check the forest service site for latest and greatest on closures. Lots of climbing in the SE in winter. I've climbed at whiteside in the winter in a t shirt in freezing temps. Kind of like twall. Probably easier to pick up partners at twall. Tallulah gorge GA also a warm spot for winter.

come check out hidden valley, VA from asheville. its nice in winter.

I've climbed in a T-shirt a Twall in either December or January. Spend at least a couple of days in Chattanooga. If the weather permits hit Leda and Lower Leda. Unless there's a line, which there probably won't be in the winter, don't miss Speedway Boogie & Cracked Actor at Leda and I love Twins & Gaurdian Angel.

Also, if weather permits, spend at least half a day at Suck Creek Canyon and don't miss The Rose. One of the most aesthetic and fun finger cracks in Chatty. The 2nd pitch is just alright, though, you'll probably love the first couple of moves. Steepest 5.8 I've ever been on.

rock_fencer wrote:No prob. Just check the forest service site for latest and greatest on closures. Lots of climbing in the SE in winter. I've climbed at whiteside in the winter in a t shirt in freezing temps. Kind of like twall. Probably easier to pick up partners at twall. Tallulah gorge GA also a warm spot for winter.

I would tend to think NC would be ideal for van life, aside from the cold dips. Lots of culture in Asheville and in Chatt, as well. In between....expanses of USFS land, roads, and campsites. They're just a little harder to find than out West.

If/when you get down, especially if as far as AL, feel free to ping me. One of my main partners is truck-bound and lives in the area much of the time. Lots of pointers to be had. Otherwise, have fun in NC. It's my second favorite place on the entire planet.

TomCaldwell wrote: Think we will get a Jan. 1 closure at Tallulah?

UncleBen wrote:Whatever do you mean, Tom??

Thanks for the suggestions. It has been above 70's temps here the last few days, but now it's getting cold, and I doubt we'll see above 60 again until next year. Time to start prepping for travel.

Looking for a partner at pilot mt, nc Monday October 26!

If you get down this way, I can climb on weekdays/weekends. Here in Tallulah or at Whitesides, Currahee, Yonah. Tallulah will be closed to climbing for water releases the first 3 weekends in Nov. Shower and guest room too or park/camp in the driveway. Walk to the crag from here. +1 on what Paul said....don't even.

I moved up to Asheville this past July from Chattanooga and both towns are excellent. The climbing in chatt is way more convenient but is not as tall as Asheville. Bomber sandstone dihedrals roofs face climbs - Chattanooga. Granite facey multi-pitch trad in the woods - Asheville. If you're chill and don't make a lot of noise then I probably have a place that you can park at with bathroom etc in West Asheville but it's still 45 minutes to Rumbling Bald, an hour or more to Linville Gorge. PM me if you want

Thanks for the offers and advice, Will and Dave!

I'm definitely leaning toward a southeast winter, unless some comfy house sit locally comes up. Researching away on my days off this week, with a lift off from the Gunks expected 11/10 or so.

Actually, I'm curious about this as well (based in the Raleigh/Cary area and looking for partners by the way!), having missed an entire summer season due to being out of country.

I just moved to Asheville and am van living as well! Hit me up if you need a partner.

Do you ice climb? If not, keep your eyes pealed I was surprised in my two years in NC to get out for 5 days of swinging tools.

While I don't live there anymore, I'd recommend HIGHLY Rumbling Bald! And Stone if you like slab climbing. Actually, go to stone even if you don't like slab climbing, good place to work on your footwork!

Thanks again to all!

I plan on leaving the Gunks on 11/11, but will be taking my time heading south(unless cold weather makes me move faster). Will keep posted as I near NC and will send out some messages to climb.

As for me: I do lead, but not very hard even when I am familiar with the area, and I have not been climbing much this last year. I have the feeling that my lead head is firmly implanted in my rear, but one never knows.

So, I would prefer to follow, or get out with small groups who may be into setting TR's. I can follow easy 5.8, and on occasion the easy 5.9, but can't guarantee much except to say that I have prussiks and know how to use them. I follow the No Gear Left Behind maxim, so gear placed well will not become fixed because of me.

I am happy to belay someone on harder stuff, so long as they understand I am unlikely to get up it and, even with prussiks, it would not be something they would want to have to endure. I'd be happy taking a try on the hard routes and lowering to have the leader clean, so long as the leader actually CAN get up the routes with a semblance of style. In other words, a belay bunny. With partners in this category, I would definitely not want to be out for long, long days.

I started climbing in 2004 and used to get out about 150 days a year. Last couple years, not so much, and that is an understatement. I pride myself on being an attentive belayer, and don't get what the issue is that some people can't reliably provide this simple but important courtesy. When I'm belaying you, you know your in good hands.

Have climbed the Gunks, Joshua Tree, a very wee bit in Yosemite, Seneca, Red River, New River, and a few other places, so am used to varying styles.

I don't tend to be a dawn to darkness type of climber, mainly due to having a dog who needs exercise, but can put in office hours(9ish to 5ish). If someone is looking to just get a few pitches in, I'm definitely up for it. Lucas(doggy) can stay in the van for shortish days, but would have to come along for a full day out. Being that I won't know the areas, I am leery of toting my dog out and hoping for the best.

People seem to enjoy hanging around with me, so that's a plus. Disclaimer: I am not a hotsy totsy young chick who will look at a man with doe eyes just because he flexes muscle(not that young women are prone to doing so....just seems some guys have hopeful aspirations that it might be the case - hahaha), so if a guy is thinking along those lines, they are likely to be disappointed/frustrated and/or annoyed.

EDIT #3:

deleted - now my source is backpedaling. Apologies.