Upper Tier  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  4,735. Good page?    Administrators:  saxfiend, Edward Medina, Ryan Williams, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  TomCaldwell on Apr 5, 2008 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed 66° | 45° 68° | 50° 68° | 61° 70° | 55° 73° | 55°

All climbers must use existing rappel stations for descent. MORE INFO >>> Rappel stations are located atop the routes: “Boardwalk” (for main section of cliff) and “Edge of a Dream” (for upper tier routes). Please see www.accessfund.org/regions/news/NC for more info This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment 2013 Closures MORE INFO >>> Big Lost Cove Cliffs are closed to climbing due to the local falcon population This information is a public crowdsourcing effort between the Access Fund, and Mountain Project. You should confirm closures, restrictions, and/or related dates. Keeping climbing areas open and conserving the climbing environment

Top Rock Flash
Age 10

Description 

The Upper Tier has a limited number of climbs, but makes up for that in exposure and quality. There are four described climbs in the N.C. Selected Climbs Guidebook. The Upper Tier also has some of the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Linn Cove Viaduct. Well worth the hike just for the views. The rock quality is similar to the Main Tier, solid quartzite. Nothing larger than a #2 Camalot is needed for these climbs. Bring plenty of nuts, TCU's, and finger to hand sized cams.

Getting There 

Park at the Rough Ridge trail head parking lot. Hike the Blue Ridge Parkway south back towards the Linn Cove Viaduct. Follow this for about five minutes until you cross the first bridge. Immediately after the bridge there will be a faint trail on the right that drops down into the drainage and then back up onto a slabby boulder. Follow this rock gully, staying close to the wall on the right for a few minutes up hill. At a large ledge, in front of the Gumfighter and Borrowed Time hike right on the ledge. Borrowed Time is the obvious corner with a hand-sized crack that stretches its length. Follow this narrow trail around some rhodo's and up the hill, through a small rock tunnel until you reach a landing. The first climb you come to will be Lost at Sea, the sharp arete. Do not use the Rough Ridge Trail to access any of the Ship Rock areas as it is now closed at the cliff tops.

The Classics

Featured Route For Upper Tier

Edge of a Dream 5.7  NC : Ship Rock : Upper Tier

Edge of a Dream starts on the right side of the Amphitheater. Begin on any of the horizontal crack systems on the right hand wall. Work out toward the arete and pull around the corner. As you pull around the corner take a moment and soak in the view. Follow the crack to the anchor....[more]   Browse More Classics in NC