I just found out I'm being transferred to Sumter, SC next summer. Since I'm faced with leaving Red Rock behind (I currently live in Vegas), I'm a bit bummed. I know there is good stuff in NC, but I'd love to hear what you guys have to offer out here that will make me feel better about leaving the desert SW.

Thanks,
Joe B

Think vertical sandstone to satisfy anyone for the rest of their life! The New and T-Wall are crack climbing heaven (the Creek being mega-heaven) and there are tons of quality sport climbs everywhere. But seeing as how you are coming from red rocks, the convenience of the climbing will be the biggest change. You have to travel to get to the stone, but it is DEFINITELY worth the drive and hike. Hope you enjoy it! Here is a photo of Handsome and Well Hung (no doubt named for me) from Ladd Raine. You should check out his photos on this website. He has done a lot of work posting photos of the routes here. The New is fantastic! http://www.mountainproject.com/images/77/78/105997778_large_>>>>>

MIKE

I learned to climb in Colorado and dreaded the move to Atlanta, GA for school thinking there was not any climbing. WRONG!! T-wall, Sunset Park, in Tennessee are mind blowing areas!! Short Off is supposed to be amazing in North Carolina: I have only been to Table Rock and it was great!! You will be pleasantly surprised, however, I have to drive 2 hours to play, but its OK.

I also learned how to climb in Colorado and moved to Charlottesville, VA a year ago. The climbing out here, on average, is fantastic. It is every bit as adventurous as climbing anywhere out west. The only two things you don't have here: big walls and alpine climbing.

Amy and Mike have already mentioned some of the best areas. There is another area near you that you have to check out. Looks like you will be 4 hours or so from western NC, which has some unbelievable climbing! Looking Glass Rock, near Brevard, NC is world class. Smooth granite with splitter cracks, trad face climbs where you protect horizontal cracks called "eyebrows" and serious aid climbing, if that is your thing. A variety of muti-pitch classics can be found in western NC.

If I were you, I'd be psyched for the experience of climbing southeastern rock. It will hone your mental game and make you a stronger, more well-rounded climber.

I am not certain what the access is like anymore since I have been out in Co since 1996, but I used to climb in Brevard, NC at Looking Glass Rock. This rock has some amazing routes on it and it awesome slab climbing. Good luck with the move!

Sumter is probably 3 hours from decent stuff. Crowders Mountain is the nearest real cliff (west of Charlotte), but Rumbling Bald and the Linville region are both incredible and varied. A bit further afield are Looking Glass, Whitesides, Laurel Knob, Cedar Rock, Stone Mountain, Moores Wall, etc. You will end up loving the southeast's climbing smorgasbord. The beach is nice too.

Aside from the variety and sheer number of climbing areas here in the south, I'm guessing what you'll enjoy the most is being able to climb through the winter (often in t-shirts). Climbing season here never ends.

Touch base with Danny Inman here for his perspective on moving to NC from CO. He really enjoyed the climbing here.

JL

I just moved away from western NC and am bummed to leave the place behind. The climbing is awesome and varied, and the traditional ethic will make your head stronger than you thought possible. I and another friend would leave NC every fall, travel and climb all winter, and return convinced that the climbing in NC equals any place we had been (with no true alpine stuff, of course).

Personal recommendation: The Linville Gorge, especially Shortoff and "new routing" on the Gold Coast (in quotes b/c it's always unclear if you are really the first...)

Good luck with the move, and get psyched!

Thanks everyone. Looks like I've got a lot to look forward to. I am excited about the beach also (good call Sean). Since I've had a good response so far, and I know most climbers aren't just climbers (I'm a mtn biker, backpacker and ultra runner), how about other cool outdoor related stuff in my new neck of the woods...

Thanks again,
Joe

Joe its not as bad as you think. If its still open there is a climbing wall not far from you in Charleston, some vary random climbing in Columbia and your not too far to wake up in the morning, hit crowders and make it back in a long day. The biggest problem is finding other climbers. Welcome to a different culture. Also consider taking up kayaking. Theres some good surf in that area.

I get to travel quite a bit and I am always amazed when this happens...I mention I live in Atlanta now and that statement is always followed by "oh, so no climbing around there, huh?" I am pretty happy to be living in the south and we do have quite a selection of climbing...Sunset, Twall, Foster Falls, Jamestown, Tallulah Gorge, Looking Glass, Laurel Knob, Whitesides, Rumbling Bald, Linville Gorge and that is just the beginning...You want... slabs, cracks, steep, hard, moderate, scary, run-out, multipitch, cragging, bolted, trad, sport, aid, bouldering...we got it....and damn year around for that matter... Yeah, COME ON!!!!! Man, I am getting psyched here!!!! Ready to get it on!!!!



Back to work...

I moved from Sun Valley, ID to Montgomery, AL last year for job reasons. I feel your pain, and while the scenery is no where close to the western US, the south does offer many jewels. You just have to look a little harder for them. As far as partners go, if you are a competent climber with a good attiude, you will never have a problem finding partners. And yes the climbing is second to none.

Southern positives: good weather, great food, beautiful women, low cost of housing, more beautiful women, and all the damn squirrel huntin you can handle.

Southern negatives: religous influence, racial issues, bad school systems, crime out the wahzoo, more stupid people than you can shake stick at.

No, really, there's nothing to see here...move along. Pfft.

Well, except the squirrel huntin'...

Seriously, it's been hit on the head above. Any style you want...drive a couple hours, through fine scenery, past a couple pork chop biscuit eateries, and you're there.

If Joe B is Joe Brooks I am going to piss my pants laughing at the irony of the situation...

Either way good luck down there, cap'n. I reccommend the squirrel as ingredient numero uno in southern-style Brunswick Stew. For a preview, get a can of delicious Mrs. Fearnow's Brunswick Stew (big yellow can) and add hair clippings to taste.

Missing the Southern women as we speak...