All Locations > N Carolina > 2. Northern Mou… > Linville Gorge

The Camel Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Routes in The Camel

L › R R › L A › Z

	Camel Access T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a PG13
	Camel Trader T 5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
	East Face T 5.11- 6c 22 VIII- 22 E3 5c
	East Face -- right var T 5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	North Face, The T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
	Southeast Arete T 5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
Unsorted Routes:

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

Explore this area in 3D

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:	3,134 ft	955 m
GPS:	35.87827, -81.89096 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	9,897 total · 76/month
Shared By:	nbrown on Jul 11, 2014
Admins:	Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: 2023 seasonal raptor closure (January 15th-August 15th) Details

fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/ne…

Shortoff Mountain South: All routes between and including C.O and Paradigm Shift are closed.

Shortoff Mountain North: All climbing routes, cliff rim, and campsites within the red band marked on the map are closed to entry. No foot traffic or camping above or below the cliff in this section. Contact the USFS for more details: 828 652 2144.

NC Wall/Apricot Buttress/The Camel: On the NC Wall, all routes between and including Tightrope and Bumblebee Buttress are closed. Apricot Buttress and The Camel are closed.

Bynum Bluff: All routes are closed.

Access Issue: Post Hurricane Helene Accessibility of Crags Details

The CCC has created the list linked below of accessible and inaccessible climbing areas with some caveats. If you decide to head out for a day of climbing, please do not attempt to go to those marked ‘inaccessible’. Please note that all areas in WNC will have extensive tree damage and if you head out, use extra caution for all the trees above, especially on a windy day. Rock fall potential is also highest after a big weather event. Please use extra caution while climbing and prepare to self rescue if injured. Injury response time will be greatly limited for any injury currently, especially for a remote injury. Cell service is limited in all areas. Parking at accessible crags in the WNC/ Upstate SC region will likely be challenging. If the parking lot is full, go to a different area and do not park illegally or in a road. Make a plan B before leaving your house. Expect road detours on the way to the crag. NCdrive.gov updates road closures. Once you get to the crag, expect many trees blocking access trails and of course, come volunteer with the CCC to help us bring our climbing areas back!

carolinaclimbers.org/conten…

Access Issue: The Camel is closed seasonally between January 15-August 15 for nesting Peregrine Falcons. Details

Description

Located just below the Chimneys area, this is a cool freestanding feature that makes for a fun diversion with a casual approach by Linville standards. It's high aesthetics make up for its sometimes less than ideal rock quality. The formation resembles its namesake when viewed from the Apricot buttress -- just to the south. There are a handful of modern routes, as well as many older forgotten lines on the formation. Ancient 1/4 inch rawl-drive bolts can be found on both the Camel proper, and on the nearby walls. One can easily chase sun or shade on the Camel, as there are routes on the south, east, and north sides of the formation. Approach time from the chimneys is about 10 minutes.

Also of note: Once at the base, it is easy to combine climbing on the Camel with either the Apricot Buttress or The Chockstone Chimney Wall, both only a hundred yards or so away.

Getting There

From the Chimneys, take the MST south to the first trail on right, which is the Apricot/NC wall trail. Follow this short trail down to overlook on the north side of buttress (Apricot descent is the gully to south). Find the bushy path down to the cliff edge and rap from pine tree down an old bolted 5.4 (60'), which will put you out in front of the southeast arete of the Camel.