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Elevation: 4,394 ft
GPS: 36.099, -81.7815
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 177,308 total · 840/month
Shared By: Nick Stayner on Nov 16, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier

Description Suggest change

Ship Rock is located on the Blue Ridge. It offers an excellent selection of routes at all grades, most of which are very high quality and quite protectable. Its northwestern exposure means that it comes into the sun late in the day, making it an excellent spot for the warmer months. Due to its number of excellent moderates and proximity to Appalachian State University, it's pretty popular. The rock is a bomber metamorphic (quartzite?) scored with numbers of awesome horizontals that make great holds and take excellent gear.
A "standard Shiprock rack" may consist of a set of stoppers, doubles on cams from 00 TCU-.75 camalot, and singles of #1/2 camalots. See individual descriptions for more info.

Getting There Suggest change

Ship Rock is approached via the Rough Ridge parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway, located ~2 miles north of the Linn Cove Viaduct. From Rough Ridge, walk south down the parkway for 1/3 of a mile. Cross a bridge, pass a roadcut, and look right. A trail should become apparent immediately after the roadcut.

54 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Ship Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 221
Edge of a Dream
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 235
Boardwalk
Trad 2 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 138
Hindu Kush
Trad 2 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 150
Lost at Sea
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 87
Airlie Gardens
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 175
Harpoon
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 119
Linn Cove Lullaby
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 71
KB Capers
Trad 2 pitches
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 50
Welcome to Watauga
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 69
BOG Man
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R
 28
Special Forces
Trad, Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 27
First Flight
Trad 2 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c R
 19
Revival
Trad
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 52
The Broach
Trad 2 pitches
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R
 20
Castaway
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Edge of a Dream Upper Tier
 221
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Boardwalk Main Tier
 235
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Hindu Kush Main Tier
 138
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Lost at Sea Upper Tier
 150
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Airlie Gardens Main Tier
 87
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 2 pitches
Harpoon Main Tier
 175
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Linn Cove Lullaby Main Tier
 119
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
KB Capers Main Tier
 71
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Welcome to Watauga Main Tier
 50
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
BOG Man Main Tier
 69
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 2 pitches
Special Forces Main Tier
 28
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R Trad, Sport
First Flight Main Tier
 27
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 2 pitches
Revival Main Tier
 19
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c R Trad
The Broach Main Tier
 52
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 2 pitches
Castaway Upper Tier
 20
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R Trad
More Classic Climbs in Ship Rock »

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