Upper Tier Climbing

The Upper Tier of Eagle Rock, named for the obvious overhanging feature, was long known more as a weekend hangout and drinking spot than a climbing location, and local rowdies often had the place to themselves. However climbing has been going on for a long time. Beerchucker's Layback was used by local college rock climbing classes at least as early as the late seventies, and the Eagle's beak was used for free rappels by just about anybody with a rope. Other routes on obvious lines like Bittersweet Retreat and Too Short to Start were probably established around that time as well. More development came in the late eighties when the Lower Tier was noticed and additional routes began to added in both areas.

The rock is high quality Henderson Gneiss, just as at other Rumbling Bald locations. Although the Upper Tier at Eagle Rock is small, with only about a dozen routes plus some boulders, there is a nice range of variety in the cracks and faces. The routes are short but several are easily top roped if desired. This can make for a fun day in a beautiful location with a fabulous view of Lake Lure and distant peaks in the Blue Ridge. Inclusion in the Park has cut down visits from partiers, and rebolting work by the CCC has renewed some of the old routes. It is worth a day's visit. Combined with the other Eagle Rock sub-areas, several days of good climbing can be found in the Eagle Rock area.