Climbing at shortoff in linville gorge

Hello everyone,
I am looking for information on climbing at Shortoff. My partner and I are looking to climb this Thursday - Friday (12/5/24-12/6) and it is our first time. I have a few questions:
1. is climbing at Shortoff accessible right now post Hurricane Helene approaching from the Wolf Pit trailhead?
2. Does anyone have a gpx file of the area they can share?
3. Do we need to a permit to camp at the trailhead and/or on top of Shortoff?
4. My understanding is there are two ways to get to the bottom of the climbs: rap in or hike down the gully. Is there a recommended way? Are there advantages to rapping over hiking and vice versa?

Thanks!

Ian

Linville is still closed according to forest service website. 

You wont need overnight permits for Linville until April/May (not sure of the specific date)

Hiking down the gully and rapping half way is easy due to the anchor built on the tree.

Edit: I've been reading mixed info about shortoff, I believe the trails are open, so you could probably climb. I just don't know about the current access status.

Thanks for the info Grant. We ended up making the trip and were able to access the climbs no problem. Trails are open from wolf pits to the top of shortoff. There was some ice in the gully but I’m guessing that is typical. We were there december 5-6 and it was pretty crazy wind and cold the 5th and just cold mainly the 6th. Thanks again!

Ian Fwrote:

Thanks for the info Grant. We ended up making the trip and were able to access the climbs no problem. Trails are open from wolf pits to the top of shortoff. There was some ice in the gully but I’m guessing that is typical. We were there december 5-6 and it was pretty crazy wind and cold the 5th and just cold mainly the 6th. Thanks again!

great news. How was the condition of the road to wolf pit trailhead parking?

Grant Briegerwrote:

great news. How was the condition of the road to wolf pit trailhead parking?

The road is in good shape, there is one spot that has some pretty bad ruts right where you cross over into national forest land right before the parking area, but it is passable by pretty much any vehicle.  Please consider carpooling to the parking area, if you are meeting partners there then consider meeting at the Fonta Flora parking on 126 at the entrance to wolf pit and carpooling from there.