Type: Trad, 180 ft, 3 pitches
FA: unknown
Page Views: 9,438 total · 71/month
Shared By: Chuck Parks on Jan 30, 2008
Admins: Aaron Parlier, Steve Lineberry

You & This Route


155 Opinions

Your To-Do List:

Add To-Do · View List

Your Star Rating:


     Clear Rating

Your Difficulty Rating:


-none- Change

Your Ticks:

Add New Tick
    -none-
Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closure Details

Description

P1: Mosey up the slab past bolts to a bolted belay on a ledge. (5.4)

P2: Move up and left around the corner, then up a slab and a crack. Continue up and right to the bottom edge of the Lunch Ledge and belay off the trees. (5.5)

P3: From the left side of the top of the Lunch Ledge, follow the bolted route past a roof to anchors on the Lightning Ledge. (5.5) This pitch used to be known as the Block Route.

Location

On the east face, on the left face of a large right-facing corner with a large crack/chimney in it.

Descent: either walk off from the Lightning Ledge, or rappel down onto the poor unfortunate souls below you.

Protection

light rack required, bolts on pitches 1&3

Add New Photo
Photo Photo (copy)
Photos

one of the many bands of quartzite on Cave Route
one of the many bands of quartzite on Cave Route
 1
Looking down on the Cave Route start
Looking down on the Cave Route start
 0
P3
P3
 0
rap to lunch ledge
rap to lunch ledge
 0
First pitch of Cave Route. Some rope drag for top rope. If you are going to do laps on the first pitch with some kiddos, bring ~25 feet worth of static a/o nylon to extend over belay ledge. This top rope belay station will pull you off route to the left, but still decent climbing.<br> <br> Recommendation for top roping - put opposing draws at the final bolt and run rope through it on top rope to avoid right to left swing (this will keep you on route).
First pitch of Cave Route. Some rope drag for t…
 0
P1
P1
 0
First pitch of Cave Route.
First pitch of Cave Route.
 0
Looking up at the first pitch of Cave Route
Looking up at the first pitch of Cave Route
 0
Third pitch of the Cave Route.
Third pitch of the Cave Route.
 0
James at the third bolt, first pitch of the Cave.
James at the third bolt, first pitch of the Cave.
 0
Ben Schoedel Climbing the first pitch of Cave Route in icy conditions
Ben Schoedel Climbing the first pitch of Cave R…
 0

14 Comments

Sort by: Oldest
Newest Oldest Best Beta
Joey Wolfe
  5.5
Joey Wolfe  
  5.5
1st and 2nd pitch are one star, third pitch is three stars. Jan 6, 2009
ziggy
ziggy  
First pitch is 5.5, 2nd Pitch is 5.3. The 3rd pitch that is described is actually called Block Route, 5.5, and it is an excellent pitch. This can be led as a sport route with significant run-outs on pitch 2 over easy terrain. Nov 17, 2009
Mike Holley
Boone, NC
 
Mike Holley   Boone, NC
 
Fun, easy enjoyment and a great introduction to Climbing at Table Rock!! Both Pitches take mixed protection, so bring a light rack and a couple quick draws for this one. The belayer wont be able to see the leader on the second pitch so make sure you have a loud voice or have decent means of communication!

Climbed the first two pitches to lunch ledge free in 2 minutes and 36 seconds once! Its a fun one for easy speed ascents! Apr 10, 2012
Walt Barker
Reno NV
 
Walt Barker   Reno NV
 
Fun route, gear everywhere. Oct 15, 2012
M Best
 
M Best  
 
The 3rd pitch (aka Block Route) is the best reason to climb the whole route at all, can't believe I've always just walked off after the first 2 pitches..it's about as much fun as Table Rock 5.5 can be. On P1, I'd note that the 3rd bolt hanger is missing now as it used to have 4 bolts, but there's a hard-to-spot rusted stud sticking out where it used to be and what looks like a hole where another bolt was. There's sneaky gear right near by, so maybe it doesn't need to be put back. Nov 11, 2013
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder  
I know this is just an easy 5.5, but for a new leader it is a great climb. Pretty easy pro using mostly bolts, generous foot placements, and lots of exposure once you get above tree level. It's not what a lot of experienced climbers are looking for, but like I said, fantastic for new leaders, or us old people who are use ta be's and not wanna be's. Apr 13, 2014
Cody Ashe
Brevard
 
Cody Ashe   Brevard
 
Did the third pitch after finishing up Jim Dandy. I really enjoyed this pitch. Cant wait to do it again. Jul 16, 2014
Preston Moore
Preston Moore  
If you're particularly safety-concious expect to rope up for the "walk off" (you're actually working your way to the top of Table Rock) of the lightning ledge. There are several sections with easy moves that could have deadly consequences if you mess them up. There are bolts placed to protect these moves but I get the sense that most people go unroped. Sep 3, 2014
Austin Howell
Atlanta, Georgia
Austin Howell   Atlanta, Georgia
P1 & 2 can be linked easily with a 70, especially if you run it out to reduce drag, but I wouldn't miss the view from P1 for anything. The trees block the landscape on the ledge, less dramatic.

Also, Lunch ledge wasn't terribly charred this past weekend (October 2014), it seems the soot has mostly washed away at this point. I wouldn't call it clean, but it didn't detract from the experience. Oct 12, 2014
MDCS Carter
  5.5
MDCS Carter  
  5.5
Great route for beginning leaders or leaders returning to the sport after a long hiatus. Protection is plentiful and the first two pitches are a perfect warm up for the third pitch, which is the highlight. Bring gear for the second pitch. Medium nuts and a set of tricams would be enough. Jun 28, 2015
David Gunnells
 
David Gunnells  
 
Where was the "cave"? Great route, but odd name.... Jul 28, 2016
Scott Phil
NC
Scott Phil   NC
The "cave" is the alcove-like area to the right of the first belay ledge. Jul 30, 2016
Russ Keane
Asheville, NC
Russ Keane   Asheville, NC
The first pitch is 5.3, the second is 5.2. Not sure about the third. Apr 5, 2017
Scott Phil
NC
Scott Phil   NC
The third pitch (Block Route) is generally regarded as 5.5. It is steeper than the first two pitches, with great holds and solid pro.
Getting around the block may seem hard after walking up the first two pitches, but everything you need is there. Apr 6, 2017