NC climbing/weather Nov/Dec

I generally spent wintertime out west skiing or in Thailand and I climbed in NC from spring to late autumn. I know the general winter themes, but those of you who are lucky enough to still be locals know the details.

I plan to visit family for Thanksgiving and am going to tack on a two week climbing holiday. Should I:

a) Fly to NC on/around Nov 14 and climb for a few weeks. This way the New and the Red are still in and possibly Moore's Wall and Linville Gorge? Never climbed in Linville that late in the year. Would Open Book in the Ampitheater be possible in Nov? My guess is that Whitesides and LK will be climbable but the Bald maybe not?

b) Fly into NC on/around 26, get fat from Thanksgiving and spend the first two weeks of December climbing. This probably limits my options in terms of weather, but maybe it adds Rumbling Bald?

I know the weather this time of year can be a crap shoot, but logic tells me to get to NC as early as possible (mid-Nov). In my mind that is prime season, but maybe others can offer their opinions?

Finally, I'll probably be looking for mid-week partners for anywhere, but I would love to get up to Whitesides (how can a NC climber go so long w/o climbing there?) or possibly do something harder at LK. And there are dozens of routes/areas that I have not seen in Linville Gorge.

I'll have a car and some gear. Shoot me a PM if you want to team up for some stuff.

Thanks!

Option A. November is the best time of year in the Carolinas, in my opinion, with Spring being a close second. Regarding timing in November, the earlier the better. Linville, WS, and LK are all glorious in the Fall and any South-facing aspect should be good/warm if dry. Options are endless if it is not raining.

Hey dude, both are good plans, but giving yourself more time earlier will def give you more options. Linville is great at the end of the year, no ticks, snakes and less Rhodo so less bushwacking. Later is good though too, but areas of high exposure will be cold. Makes for good campfire tales though. Wish I had done more at Linville last fall/winter, we are dealing with closures now for falcon populations.

Hey Ryan,

I can't help you re: weather/venues as I have less experience climbing NC than you, however I'm moving back to NC (for good!) tomorrow, feel free to drop me an email if you fancy hooking up for a climb and whine/ethuse about how crap/awesome the climbing is in the UK compared to NC ;) I'll most likely be available mid week too.

Rob

Haha, thanks guys.

Rob, we'll try to meet up for sure. I'll try to smuggle you in some real beer or a steak and ale pie!

Hey Ryan, I'm in Asheville now. Look for me when you get here and I'll show you why Asheville is usually voted beer city USA! Oh, and we can climb, too.