Linville Destroyer
5.10,
Trad, 30 pitches, Grade V,
Avg: 3.5 from 2
votes
FA: John Dorough and Laban Swafford over 2 days in 2015
N Carolina
> 2. Northern Mou…
> Linville Gorge
> Linville Link Ups
Access Issue: 2023 seasonal raptor closure (January 15th-August 15th)
Details
fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/ne… Shortoff Mountain South: All routes between and including C.O and Paradigm Shift are closed.
Shortoff Mountain North: All climbing routes, cliff rim, and campsites within the red band marked on the map are closed to entry. No foot traffic or camping above or below the cliff in this section. Contact the USFS for more details: 828 652 2144.
NC Wall/Apricot Buttress/The Camel: On the NC Wall, all routes between and including Tightrope and Bumblebee Buttress are closed. Apricot Buttress and The Camel are closed.
Bynum Bluff: All routes are closed.
Access Issue: Post Hurricane Helene Accessibility of Crags
Details
The CCC has created the list linked below of accessible and inaccessible climbing areas with some caveats. If you decide to head out for a day of climbing, please do not attempt to go to those marked ‘inaccessible’. Please note that all areas in WNC will have extensive tree damage and if you head out, use extra caution for all the trees above, especially on a windy day. Rock fall potential is also highest after a big weather event. Please use extra caution while climbing and prepare to self rescue if injured. Injury response time will be greatly limited for any injury currently, especially for a remote injury. Cell service is limited in all areas. Parking at accessible crags in the WNC/ Upstate SC region will likely be challenging. If the parking lot is full, go to a different area and do not park illegally or in a road. Make a plan B before leaving your house. Expect road detours on the way to the crag. NCdrive.gov updates road closures. Once you get to the crag, expect many trees blocking access trails and of course, come volunteer with the CCC to help us bring our climbing areas back!
carolinaclimbers.org/conten…
Description
This is essentially the Linville Crusher plus a similar linkup of 6 different formations on the west side of Linville Gorge, necessitating a river crossing either below Shortoff on Mountains to Sea Trail, below Sitting Bear on Devil's Hole Trail, or at the old Spence Ridge Bridge crossing.
The west side of the gorge hosts a massive amount of rock, but the climbers' trails are not nearly as well-maintained as the trails on the east side. Expect bushwhacking and route finding problems.
Prominent features on the west side may include Moonshine Canyon, Razor's Edge, Zen Canyon, Bluejay Canyon, Conley Cove, Linville River Crag, and Wisemans.
You might get clever and do something like start on Sitting Bear and Hawksbill before dropping down Devil's Hole or Spence Ridge trails to cross the river to knock out Linville River Crag and the Gold Coast before heading to Shortoff and back north to finish at Table Rock.
Caches are optional, though I consider them cheating. But you should have fun however you see fit.
Location
Protection
A wide variety of gear, depending on what routes you choose to do. Potential water sources include: the drainage at the Sitting Bear parking lot, the creek along Spence Ridge trail, the Amphitheater, Shortoff descent gully, various drainages in the Gold Coast canyons, and of course the Linville River (pesticides?)
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