charlotte area climbing

Hi all,
There is some chance that I might end up moving to Charlotte so I am trying to gather some information to help me make the decision.

So can you give me some information about the climbing community and access in/around Charlotte and the rest of the state - that is, how good it is to live there as a climber? Would I hate my life :))? would it be relatively easy to find partners? (I am pretty sociable and have been climbing for awhile).
any information/insights would be appreciated...
Deniz

thanks. I have gear and do trad - but also love good sport.

If you like trad, you'll like North Carolina. Charlotte has great access to the mountains of North Carolina.

Crowder's Mtn is very close to Charlotte. It's a little loose, but it has decent bolted routes and top-ropes. Drive 1-2 hours and you've got a lifetime of gear routes to keep you occupied.

Crowded, I mean Crowder's, Mtn State Park is 30 minutes or so south of Charlotte and offers some ok roped climbing and bouldering in the colder months...its tortuous in the summer though. You're like 2 hrs or so from one of the best SE winter destinations in Rumbling Bald, for both roping up and world class bouldering, and the highcountry (Linville Gorge & Boone area) is great in the summer. In my opinion, NC is one of the best states for climbing in the south and US...you wont be disappointed moving to the area!

Check out the Carolina Climbers Coalition (carolinaclimbers.org) also for what's happening currently in the area and a helpful messageboard free of too many trolls and b.s.

While not nearly as trendy as Asheville, Charlotte puts you within driving distance of every good crag in the state (with possible exception of Whitesides/Laurel Knob). Asheville climbers will envy your easy access to Moore's Wall and Raleigh climbers will try to invite themselves to crash at your place just so they can climb in Linville Gorge and Rumbling Bald. Having said that, there is no good crag within one hours drive of Charlotte. All the action starts at 1.5 - 2 hours driving time. That includes Ship Rock, Linville Gorge (so much here), Stone Mountain, Moore's Wall, Rumbling Bald, and even Looking Glass is only about 2.5 hours drive time. 3.5 hours to Cashiers area crags and 3:45 hours to the New River Gorge. The local gym is really nice, but not many of the members will venture outdoors. Crowder's Mountain State Park is probably your best bet for meeting new partners. Just bring your harness and shoes, most folks will readily invite you to run laps on their toprope.

Thanks all. Does not sound bad at all. If anyone wants to add things on living in Charlotte - I'll appreciate that as well...

I lived in Charlotte on and off for about 6 years. My climbing partner and I used to regularly make weekday day-trips to the New River Gorge to avoid crowds (plenty of weekend trips too). Without stops you can get there in about 3:15. A lifetime worth of amazing routes up there. That's not to say that there isn't good climbing in state. Rumbling Bald, Looking Glass, Linville, Moore's....the list goes on.

I don't have anything too negative to say regarding living in Charlotte. There are several different neighborhoods with each offering a little something different. Downtown tends to be fully of the douchy banker types. I preferred to live in the NODA area. Good bars and food all within walking distance. Plus some of the cities best music venues are in NODA. In my mind, people tend to be a little more "real" in this part of town.

All in all, it's a good place. Great food, lots of work opportunities, close to the mountains, and only four hours to the coast (Wilmington and Charleston are pretty great).

Enjoy it...