/

/

I don't know the area terribly well but I'll tell you what I can.

I'm sure there are areas that I don't know about but you are at least 45 min from Looking Glass and an hour and a half from Whitesides, LK, Cedar, Big Green, etc (all to the SW) and about the same distance from the Linville Gorge climbing areas (all to the NE). None of those areas are really bouldering areas but I'm sure there are boulders that locals know about.

Rumbling Bald (Lake Lure) is a bouldering destination with excellent routes as well and is about 45 min to the SE. It can be pretty crowded on the weekends.

The Highlands (Boone) are north of Linville Gorge and have much more of a bouldering scene while the western part of the state seems to be psyched on the dozens of granite domes that are available. Not sure what kind of schools you're looking for but might I suggest looking into Appalachian State University in Boone or Lees McRae College (small private) in Banner Elk?

ashville is home base for most of NC climbing! you'll be making a good choice. home to tallest rock wall in the east! laurel knob 1200ft, steep whitesides mtn., big green mtn., looking glass, table rock in linville gorge. and that is just the area's closest to ashville. also, stn mtn. slab, moore's wall, and pilot mtn. just few hrs away. dont miss out on some of the best climbing in the east!!!!

+1 on the amount of amazing climbing around A-ville. As for jobs... Well, that's a different story. Asheville is quickly becoming quite the desirable place to be for people of all ages. Used to be you could find jobs waiting tables or in the tourism industry. Now, those jobs like so many other industries, are quite competitive. Luckily, Asheville is growing, which means more jobs are coming. Unluckily, there are already lots of people here looking for those jobs.

What's your industry? What sort of job are you looking for? Feel free to pm me with any specific questions. I've been in Asheville for about 15 years and plan to never leave if I can at all help it.

db

Hey Eli!

As a young guy (21) that lives in Asheville, I can't sing it's praises enough! The downtown scene is great for young people and the outdoor activities are seemingly endless.

You never have to drive more than 45 minutes to get to a crag, waterfall, or hiking trail(definitely not trails, they're everywhere!).

The climbing is excellent as well! The bouldering at Rumbling Bald is phenomenal and you could go to school in Asheville all 4 years and not climb everything you want to.

There is some sport, the closest at Rumbling Bald (but you have to look a little for it).

If you are into trad, or want to get into it, there's no place better! WNC has a strong trad background and crags like LGR, Cedar, Laurel, and Whiteside ensure that you'll have plenty to tick off.

So...what are you waiting for? Get yourself copies of Selected Climbs in North Carolina and the Rumbling Bald Bouldering Guide, put 40 bumper stickers on your car, and head on up!

Shoot me a PM if you need more info!

aheville is great you will love it. in addition to climbing you might decide to take up mountain biking as well I would suggest it. the music scene is eclectic and dowtown is great. people are nice the place is nice you can't go wrong.