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Ship Rock
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Hidden Wall 
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Rest Day:
Nearby Mountain Bike Rides

Rocky Branch
A great introduction to the trails at Rocky Knob Park. Near Boone, NC
Boat Rock
A climber's delight. Near Boone, NC
From MP's sister site: MTB Project

Ship Rock 


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Submitted By: Nick Stayner on Nov 16, 2006

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Thunderstorm
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70° | 57°
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2013 Closures MORE INFO >>>


Mike Trew on Special Opps 12a Ship Rock

Description 

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 

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.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Ship Rock:
Edge of a Dream   5.7     Trad, 70 feet   Upper Tier
Boardwalk   5.8     Trad, 2 pitches, 130 feet   Main Tier
Lost at Sea   5.8     Trad, 70 feet   Upper Tier
Hindu Kush   5.8     Trad, 2 pitches, 180 feet   Main Tier
Borrowed Time   5.9     Trad, 1 pitch, 60 feet   Main Tier
Maiden Voyage   5.9     Trad, 1 pitch, 70 feet   Upper Tier
Airlie Gardens   5.9     Trad, 2 pitches, 130 feet   Main Tier
Fire Point   5.9+ R     Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet   Main Tier
Aretenephobia   5.10a     Trad, 1 pitch   Hidden Wall
KB Capers   5.10a     Trad, 2 pitches, 140 feet   Main Tier
Harpoon   5.10a     Trad, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Main Tier
Linn Cove Lullaby   5.10a     Trad, 2 pitches, 120 feet   Main Tier
Welcome to Watauga   5.11a     Trad, 2 pitches, 110 feet   Main Tier
Special Forces   5.11a R     Trad, Sport, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Main Tier
BOG Man   5.11a     Trad, 2 pitches, 110 feet   Main Tier
First Flight   5.11b     Trad, 2 pitches, 150 feet   Main Tier
Anguish of Captain Bligh   5.11b     Trad, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Main Tier
Chromium Chain   5.11c     Trad, 1 pitch, 50 feet   Main Tier
Gumfighter   5.11+     Trad, 1 pitch, 80 feet   Main Tier
The Broach   5.11d     Trad, 2 pitches, 140 feet   Main Tier
Browse More Classics in Ship Rock

Featured Route For Ship Rock
Me leading P1 of Airlie

Airlie Gardens 5.9  NC : Ship Rock : Main Tier
This could possibly be the best 5.9 in the entire state. It has great movement, tons of exposure, and bomber gear. Both pitches have unique features that are hard to beat anywhere. The P2 roof traverse rivals Overhang Bypass in JT, but 2 grades harder.P1 begins next to a tree in a shallow right facing dihedral. Follow this to a short unprotected face. Continue up to the left side of the arete. Be sure to place the crucial piece of gear here before pulling around. Pull around the sharp are...[more]   Browse More Classics in NC


Photos of Ship Rock Slideshow Add Photo
A view south from the top of Ship Rock towards Table Rock and Linville Gorge

A view south from the top of Ship Rock towards Tab...

SS and SF on the Blue Ridge Parkway Oct. 09

SS and SF on the Blue Ridge Parkway Oct. 09

This photo was taken from just North of the Linn Cove Viaduct. The routes marked are some of the most popular. However there are MANY more great routes. This is just an overview to get you looking in the right spots. Please don't walk off from the top. Access is being threatened because of "climbers trails" on top. Rapp back to the bottom and walk out. Enjoy

BETA PHOTO: This photo was taken from just North of the Linn C...

The ships prow?

The ships prow?

Boardwalk

Boardwalk

From the BRP

From the BRP


Comments on Ship Rock Add Comment
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By Nick Stayner
From: The Magic City
Mar 27, 2007

As of 3/7/07, the NPS is closing the clifftop of Shiprock. Everything above Anguish/Harpoon is off-limits, and all descents of the main tier must utilize the Boardwalk rappel. Go to carolinaclimbers.org for more info.