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Where besides Boone to escape the heat and climb multi pitch?

Original Post
kidda · · Boone, NC · Joined May 2012 · Points: 25

We are planning a 3 day trip July 4-6. Where can we go to escape the heat on multi pitch climbs BESIDES BOONE, NC area, where we live? We are willing to drive up to five hours, but three would be better.

I was thinking maybe Seneca Rocks. Would it be really crowded there on a holiday weekend? How about the temps?

I was also thinking maybe we should just turn it into a staycation and go to Linville Gorge.

Any other suggestions?

rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265

seneca can still be hot as balls but you can chase shade...you can also chase shade at whitesides. New Hampshire has stuff that will be more tolerable but that's outside your range....

north face of cedar rock has a few good lines on it as well, north face of the glass

kidda · · Boone, NC · Joined May 2012 · Points: 25

Thanks for the input, rockfencer. Keep em coming folks!

shannon stegg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 0

Most of the Whitesides routes are South facing but the Devils Courthouse, is a North Face cliff at a high elevation. The routes are hard and some contain a touch of aid. It is seldom visited and is the coolest place I know of. Most routes are three pitches long, but "Conquistidor" links the lower and upper Wall for a five pitch adventure climb that tops out at the bogus Spanish carving. This also is one of the best 360 degree views of Cashiers Valley.

Tom Caldwell · · Clemson, S.C. · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 3,623

The SE face of Whitesides goes into the shade at 2-3pm depending on route. You could do the Boulder Problem early, then go down after lunch and do something on the main face. Most of the routes down there only take a couple of hours. Just be sure to finish before sunset since that parking lot closes.

The north face of LG has a few 2 pitch free climbs. The rest is aid unless you climb 13's.

People have done early morning ascents of Laurel. Be off the rock by 11 or 12pm.

The only thing worth doing at Cedar North are the headwall 11's at the end. Be done before noon.

The Linville Gorge area is really the best for cool multi. TR late in the day, everywhere else early.

Seneca is cool, but where will you camp on a holiday weekend? The tent sites at Shadow are so exposed.

It is funny to hear people try and plan climbing trips that far in advance in the south. The weather here sucks, especially in the summer. The only thing guiding your decision should be: where is it dry?

kidda · · Boone, NC · Joined May 2012 · Points: 25

Thanks. Good point about the rain, Tom - if it comes up I'll have to take that into consideration.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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