Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 4,394 ft 1,339 m
GPS: 36.09911, -81.8013
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 178,703 total · 793/month
Shared By: Orphaned User on Nov 16, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier
Warning Access Issue: Post Hurricane Helene Accessibility of Crags DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Ship Rock is located on the Blue Ridge. It offers an excellent selection of routes at all grades, most of which are very high quality and quite protectable. Its northwestern exposure means that it comes into the sun late in the day, making it an excellent spot for the warmer months. Due to its number of excellent moderates and proximity to Appalachian State University, it's pretty popular. The rock is a bomber metamorphic (quartzite?) scored with numbers of awesome horizontals that make great holds and take excellent gear.
A "standard Shiprock rack" may consist of a set of stoppers, doubles on cams from 00 TCU-.75 camalot, and singles of #1/2 camalots. See individual descriptions for more info.

Getting There Suggest change

Ship Rock is approached via the Rough Ridge parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway, located ~2 miles north of the Linn Cove Viaduct. From Rough Ridge, walk south down the parkway for 1/3 of a mile. Cross a bridge, pass a roadcut, and look right. A trail should become apparent immediately after the roadcut.

60 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Ship Rock Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Ship Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 242
Edge of a Dream
Trad
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 251
Boardwalk
Trad 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 91
Airlie Gardens
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 188
Harpoon
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 125
Linn Cove Lullaby
Trad 2 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 76
KB Capers
Trad 2 pitches
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 55
Welcome to Watauga
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 75
B.O.G Man
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R
 28
Special Forces
Trad, Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c R
 21
Revival
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 88
Anguish of Captain Bligh
Trad
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 60
The Broach
Trad 2 pitches
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 61
Gumfighter
Trad
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R
 29
Castaway
Trad
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b PG13
 8
Alternative Man
Trad 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Edge of a Dream Upper Tier
 242
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad
Boardwalk Main Tier
 251
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Airlie Gardens Main Tier
 91
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 2 pitches
Harpoon Main Tier
 188
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Linn Cove Lullaby Main Tier
 125
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
KB Capers Main Tier
 76
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Welcome to Watauga Main Tier
 55
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
B.O.G Man Main Tier
 75
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad 2 pitches
Special Forces Main Tier
 28
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c R Trad, Sport
Revival Main Tier
 21
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c R Trad
Anguish of Captain Bligh Main Tier
 88
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
The Broach Main Tier
 60
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 2 pitches
Gumfighter Main Tier
 61
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad
Castaway Upper Tier
 29
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a R Trad
Alternative Man Main Tier
 8
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b PG13 Trad 2 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Ship Rock »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading