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Elevation: -11,456 ft
GPS: 35.33815, -82.60734
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 60,162 total · 300/month
Shared By: Sean Cobourn on Oct 1, 2007 · Updates
Admins: Ky Bishop, Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier

Description Suggest change

Most southern climbers are familiar with Rumbling Bald, one of the best winter areas around due to its low elevation and south facing aspect. The cliff seems to stretch on for a mile or more when viewed from the tourist meccas of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. However, the other side of the mountain has just as much rock and is climbable in the summer when the south side is a blast furnace. 99% of routes were done in ground up style. Let's keep it that way please.

The north face has no publicly documented history. Since most of this rock is now in the newly formed state park I felt it important to finally document areas so we could show the powers that be that there is a long rich history of climbing here and that climbing should be an allowed activity once the management plan is in the works.  Edit 2018: The good news is that Eagle Rock area is now open for climbing!  In 2016 before the fire a group of climbers and the park superintendent scouted a trail to the Main Wall area.  There is hope it will be available in the future as well.

Getting There Suggest change

Currently there are limited ways to get there. Either know someone who lives in the gated Fairfield golf community at the base of the walls or hike around or over the top from the south side. This situation should change over the coming years as this area is now inside Chimney Rock State Park.

56 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: The Dark Side (Closed to climbing, included for historic reference) Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Dark Side (Closed to climbing, included for historic reference)

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
Silent Spring
Trad 4 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 4
Limited Access
Trad 4 pitches
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 4
Granite Man
Trad, Sport
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
 4
The Return Of Grunge
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 4
Black Slabbeth
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 4
Metal Meltdown
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 5
Reckless Criminal
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 4
Brain Damage
Trad
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 4
Thunderstruck
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 4
The Catbird Seat
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Silent Spring Main Wall
 4
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Limited Access Main Wall
 4
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 4 pitches
Granite Man Desperado Wall
 4
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad, Sport
The Return Of Grunge Desperado Wall
 4
5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c Trad
Black Slabbeth Desperado Wall
 4
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Metal Meltdown Desperado Wall
 4
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Reckless Criminal Desperado Wall
 5
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
Brain Damage Desperado Wall
 4
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
Thunderstruck Desperado Wall
 4
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad, Sport 2 pitches
The Catbird Seat Cougar Crag
 4
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad
More Classic Climbs in The Dark Side (Closed to climbing, included for historic reference) »

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