Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 2,727 ft
GPS: 35.871, -81.89291
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 168,973 total · 796/month
Shared By: saxfiend on Oct 14, 2006
Admins: Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier
Warning Access Issue: 2023 seasonal raptor closure (January 15th-August 15th) DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

The word "spectacular" could have been coined just so you could describe the Amphitheater. Combine long, moderate multi-pitch climbing, high-quality rock, fantastic exposure and take-your-breath-away views, and you've got some of the best climbing North Carolina has to offer. The Mummy and The Daddy are two of the highlights of the Amphitheater; both are must-do routes even if your lead level is much higher.

Getting to the base is a long, hard slog down a steep descent gully, so most climbers rack up before starting down. Stow your pack and other non-essential stuff at the big flat rock near where the gully starts (ask someone who's been there), then retrieve it on the walk-off from the top of the climb.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Table Rock parking lot, head south through the campground and along the ridgeline trail. Continue past the Chimneys and past the first cut-off trail to the right (this leads to North Carolina Wall). Watch for a white quartz rock on the trailside and take the cut-off trail to the right. Continue down this trail as it steepens and look for a split-off to the left near a large flat rock. This turns into the descent gully; downclimb this steep gully to the base of the Amphitheater. The Mummy Buttress is to your left, the Prow and Open Book to the right.

30 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Amphitheater Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Amphitheater

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 307
The Prow
Trad 4 pitches
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 4
The Prow Right
Trad
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 322
The Mummy
Trad 3 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 66
Good Heavens
Trad 5 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 402
The Daddy
Trad 5 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13
 4
Sister Seagull
Trad 3 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 5
Rattlesnake Crack
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13
 4
Trinidad
Trad 4 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R
 4
Land of the little people
Trad 3 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 38
The Open Book
Trad 2 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 8
Cryptic Trip
Trad
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 6
Turkey Beard
Trad 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Prow
 307
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad 4 pitches
The Prow Right
 4
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad
The Mummy
 322
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 3 pitches
Good Heavens
 66
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 5 pitches
The Daddy
 402
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 5 pitches
Sister Seagull
 4
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b PG13 Trad 3 pitches
Rattlesnake Crack
 5
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Trinidad
 4
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a PG13 Trad 4 pitches
Land of the little people
 4
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R Trad 3 pitches
The Open Book
 38
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad 2 pitches
Cryptic Trip
 8
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
Turkey Beard
 6
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad 2 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Amphitheater »

Sun & Shade Suggest change

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading