Looking for a bouldering guidebook for Rumbling Bald

We will be there the 7th. If anyone can loan us their book or be willing to sell it that would be awesome. We also only have one crash pad so if there's anywhere to rent them around the area just throw some names my way, please and thank you!

So the original Dorrity guide is out of print, and unless you're willing to fork out an inordinate amount of money, you're not likely to find one for sale. As far as trade...no idea. Locals are usually willing to show people around, but you're coming in on a Monday, which isn't typically a busy day of the week. Crash pads I have no idea, but if you're bouldering at the Bald, you'll find that most of the classics in the West Side boulders have flattish landings that can be easily spotted and padded with one regular size pad and a spotter. The East Side varies, but in general is more rugged. The conditions of late have started to warm up, and since the Bald is on a south-facing slope, you're going to want to bring bug spray and some sort of layers. If it's 60 at the bottom of Hickory Nut Gorge, it can be 65 at the boulders, or even warmer. Any questions, just ask!

I mentioned in your other thread about getting in touch with the CCC about getting one of the recent competition guidebooks...how did that turn out? Might be your best bet for finding your way around.

If you are coming in past Travelers Rest, SC (about 45 minutes-1 hour south of the Bald) you can rent a pad for $10/day at Sunrift Adventures. Other than that, I truly dont know another place nearby that rents pads.

As @AField mentioned, you should get up there as early as possible to get your best bouldering conditions. The forecast says 63 is the high, which with a south facing/sun facing boulderfield, the temp could feel almost 80. The boulders will start to heat up and absorb the sun's heat by the afternoon and crimps and smears will start to feel less grippy and more slimy.

Brad Caldwell wrote:I mentioned in your other thread about getting in touch with the CCC about getting one of the recent competition guidebooks...how did that turn out? Might be your best bet for finding your way around. If you are coming in past Travelers Rest, SC (about 45 minutes-1 hour south of the Bald) you can rent a pad for $10/day at Sunrift Adventures. Other than that, I truly dont know another place nearby that rents pads. As @AField mentioned, you should get up there as early as possible to get your best bouldering conditions. The forecast says 63 is the high, which with a south facing/sun facing boulderfield, the temp could feel almost 80. The boulders will start to heat up and absorb the sun's heat by the afternoon and crimps and smears will start to feel less grippy and more slimy.

Thanks guys!
I did message CCC on Facebook, they said the comp books weren't available and to try and find an old copy of a guidebook.
A few friends let us borrow some pads and I found a book on Amazon that was actually from somewhere local, scored it for $40 and it got here today! Thanks for the tips on the weather.
One of the days we plan to climb is says 30% chance of thunderstorm... Is there a particular time of the day your storms happen? Is there any alternative things you can recommend we do if weather is crappy and we can't climb?

Storms generally happen in the afternoon if at all. 30% is pretty marginal for there actually being bad weather, but WNC in the spring is super unpredictable. If it's rainy, there are some cool hikes in that section of Pisgah, including Dupont State Forest, with all of its waterfalls. Linville Gorge is also great hiking, even though it's farther out from the Bald. A major thing in WNC is beer, so even if you aren't a huge fan of malted beverages, it's worth checking out breweries in AVL and beyond.