Bumblebee Butress 

According to Bob Mitchell, that big ledge was at one time covered in big, flowery rhodos and other vegetation.

I managed to climb this in 2 pitches with a 60, but the topout was a bit of a drag- not really recommended. P1 was fine with long runners.

This route has injured more than one "5.8 leader", so play smart, it's a long way out of there.

As Rob suggested, I've created a new area for NC Wall and moved BB to this area.

Since I've not climbed at NC Wall yet, I'm going "by the book" on the description and would welcome any additional input.

This is a must do route if you are visiting Linville. The climb, location, setting, moves are all quality. Each pitch is great climbing. The trail from the top out (oranges blazes) has been re-flagged with survey tape. If you follow the trail, it leads you back to the top of the Prow near the amphitheatre.

a decent selection of smaller gear will make 3rd pitch traverse alot safer;first pitch is obvious and we went a little right on the second pitch after the bombay part although it looked like either way put you on the belay ledge;not sure where the last pitch really went ; we just wandered up generally following any gear placement that could be found;pretty easy but ended up with some rope drag for sure

Follow the book and don't be tempted to go right on the second pitch. I tried and it was nasty. I wrote a trip report about it here. OnTheSharpEnd.com - BumbleBee Buttrees

On the approach: It's a pretty good hike down there. There is a spot near the guidebook's "chasm" where you need to head left (if you are facing the river) generally, but there is a steep rock wall (maybe 10 or so feet high) that would be a bit unsafe to descend without a rope; you can actually go right instead and through a sort of hole in the rock, and then immediately back to the left bypassing the steep bit of rock wall.

On the climb, the top of the first pitch is pretty much a hanging belay on pro, although there is a small 12-18 inch wide ledge you can sort of stand on a bit. The belay between the 2nd and 3rd pitch is really comfy and not hanging.

The third pitch seemed the most difficult. Medium sized cams and/or tricams would be really nice to protect the initial traverse for the second (we did not have nearly enough with us). You traverse across a horizontal crack to a bulge,then go up. My friend who was leading had problems finding pro when he got above the horizontal crack to the bulge area, and he didn't get something in until he was 15 or feet (maybe more) above it. It would have been a very nasty fall if he hadn't made it; he probably would have decked.

I have no idea what the 4th pitch was supposed to be like, but it probably wasn't supposed to be a 150 foot traverse across lichen and moss towards the right. It is possible to get off this way, though, and it is a 5.4 or 5.5. At the top, I think you are supposed to stay left along the rim back to the descent gully. We did NOT do this, and ended up simulclimbing some easy stuff and then bushwacking on what he said was a "game trail" (what "game"?). (This was my fault.) Anyway, apparently there is some trail along the rim towards the left, and you should NOT head straight up towards the ridge line like we did.

As with everything in Linville Gorge, bring a head lamp and an extra Powerbar and water, even if you don't think you could possibly need it.

P1: as described.

P2: More like 50 ft. if you follow the crack/roof system. If you take this directly you end up on a smallish ledge with a block to your right. Beyond that block further to the right is the large belay ledge. It might be possible to trend more right after the initial bombay roof to arrive at the large ledge directly.

P3: PG13 climbing starting off the large block on the left side of the large belay ledge. You can get some good gear in the horizontal crack and some smallish gear in a flake before the bulge, but there is no gear when pulling the bulge (~20 ft. directly above right side of belay ledge) and you would ledge out if you blew it for sure. Be careful.

P4: We headed up through two, overhanging triangular blocks 80 ft. directly overhead the large P3 belay ledge. This was a very fun line, but was also closer to 5.8 climbing. We used both a #4 and #5 C4 to protect the climbing in this section, though probably not strictly necessary. The mantle onto the mossy wet ledge below the triangular blocks was definitely the crux, however!

This is the first time I have read such an in-depth description of climbing this route. My friends and I climbed hard from 1988 into the 2000��s but seldom climb now (except for an occasional 5.6 route on Table Rock�fs east face). We did Bumblebee though a bunch of times and this is a great depiction of the route. I do not agree about trying to go right at the overhang starting pitch two. It is just a nice stem to get a hold up and left and pull over the overhang and up to the belay ledge. It is also easiest to move right on the next pitch and take on the �gbulge�h there. It is a little dicey and the pro is marginal to protect the move but it is very doable and all of 5.8. Just an absolutely great trad climb with great exposure. The last pitch is not obvious and we always ended up fading right then left to top out. To get back to MTS trail head North or up gorge to find an obvious trail back up. Oh, for those that don�ft want to climb, that hike to the base of Bumblebee and all way past it down to the Ampitheatre (the Mummy/Daddy area) up the gully, and then hike along the top edge of the North Carolina Wall back to the ridge trail is totally awesome. It is quite physical and requires several hours to do but has extrodinary views and really gives the hiker a great appreciation for the Gorge itself. Either the climb, hike or both is a must. PS: RebeccaJD is exactly correct when suggesting bringing some extra munchies and water anywhere in the Gorge. Part of the "charm" of Linville Gorge is the remoteness, relentless terrain and wheather changes.