Rumbling Bald!!! ???

Hey everyone! We are heading up to the bald from FLAT OL' FLORIDA to enjoy some outdoor climbs for spring break. Any advice on how we can navigate the area? We've climbed LRC and had the convenience of the climbing guidebook, but I can't seem to find one for Rumbling Bald. Also... any cool hikes or things to do in the area? We will be camping nearby in Lake Lure and we were thinking of checking out Blue Ridge Parkway. Any recommendations/advice is much appreciated. Thanks :)

Hello fellow Floridian! Black Dome is usually limited on their stock and last time I was there they were out. Several other stores in the area such as Diamondbrand (hendersonville road location) and 2nd gear tend to have a copy. Plus REI occasionally. If anything just give a shout when you're up here and have someone show you around! Much more fun than a guidebook IMHO and it's how I learned my way around the Bald.

Since you mention LRC should we assume you mean to boulder? If so the Rumbling Bald Rock Climbs book mentioned here would be useless. If you are going to rope climb however it is excellent. Dont even bother with Selected Climbs. Not much good for RB. Stick with the Ground Up Publishing / Reardon Coubourn book.

If you are bouldering there is a guide book by Chris Dorrity. I have a copy, but I think it might be out of print. Pretty sure a second edition was in the works but not sure the status. Google it or ask around. May be able to find a used copy on Amazon. Usually lots of people there on weekends to ask for beta.

Lake Lure itself is pretty dead that time of year. Head up to Asheville for entertainment. Maybe over to Pisgah Forest for some hikes, mountain biking, or waterfalls on rest days.

Oops, I should have clarified we will be bouldering! We are staying closer to downtown Asheville and will be there on a Monday- Friday. Thanks for all the input so far :)

You may try giving the Carolina Climbers Coalition a message on Facebook (Brian Payst is the president and he's here on MP as well) or e-mail and see if they have any of the small guidebooks for the last comp a couple of months ago. They may sell you one for a small donation + shipping. I doubt you'll be able to find a copy of the older Rumbling Bald Bouldering guidebooks around though...maybe post up in the For Sale/Wanted forum looking for a copy, or try looking in a few of the local Facebook groups like "Western Carolina Climbing Association" or "Asheville Climbers" or possibly "WNC Gear Swap". Rumbling Bald is a pretty big place and its not easy to find your way out to some of the super classics like Slave Driver or Clear Water, so you should try to get either the comp guide or the old guidebook to enjoy your time there the most. Enjoy one of the best boulderfields in the US!!!

Hey! I was just at the bald this past weekend and it was great! I was actually about to post a thread to sell my guide book (I just don't think I will be back in the near future, I'm from Ohio). I bought it about a month ago on Amazon for $50. $30 and it's yours if you're interested!

downtown asheville has plenty to do, plenty of great food, and many many breweries

McKenzie Zimmerman wrote:Hey! I was just at the bald this past weekend and it was great! I was actually about to post a thread to sell my guide book (I just don't think I will be back in the near future, I'm from Ohio). I bought it about a month ago on Amazon for $50. $30 and it's yours if you're interested!

McKenzie Zimmerman wrote:Hey! I was just at the bald this past weekend and it was great! I was actually about to post a thread to sell my guide book (I just don't think I will be back in the near future, I'm from Ohio). I bought it about a month ago on Amazon for $50. $30 and it's yours if you're interested!

There's a brand new Rumbling Bald route guide that is way better than selected climbs. Covers everything there for the most part besides bouldering.