Areas Close to Blowing Rock, NC

Hey folks--

I'm attending a wedding the first weekend of October down in NC, and I was curious what areas are within a 2 hour driving radius of Blowing Rock.  Trad climbing and/or sport up to 5.11+/5.12- is fine.  Thanks for any/all feedback.  

I passed through that area recently and climbed at Rocky Face.  Sport climbing, old granite quarry, shortest approach possible. Worth a visit!

Ship Rock has good trad climbing

The closest areas would be Ship Rock and Linville Gorge for mostly trad and some sport. The Dump is a small but worthwhile sport climbing area a few miles from town with about a 2 minute approach. Outside the immediate area you  have Hidden Valley Va and Pilot mountain NC for sport and Moore's Wall for excellent trad. Bouldering in the BR area is stellar as well.

Andrew made some good suggestions,

But i would skip pilot mountain.

If you're just there for the weekend I would say you could get your fill between ship rock and the dump both within 20-25 minutes from blowing rock, no need to drive any further 

double delay wrote:

If you're just there for the weekend I would say you could get your fill between ship rock and the dump both within 20-25 minutes from blowing rock, no need to drive any further 

I second this. Ship and the dump both have some stellar routes. Ship has some ultra classic trad lines

Thanks for the quick and definitive feedback everyone.  Ship Rock, Linville, and the Dump will occupy us for 3 days, I'm sure!

Ship rock and linville are near world class areas,

The dump is mediocre at best, but has the shortest approach.

Just my two cents 

Have fun

So, depending on what you mean by "first weekend", the Triple Crown Bouldering competition is going to be at Hound Ears the weekend of the 7th and if that's your weekend you should definitely check that out.  The area is open to the public for one day per year and is one of the best boulderfields in the SE.  Here's the comp information: http://www.triplecrownbouldering.org/  

Other than that, I'd skip the Dump.  Hit up Ship and Linville.  North Carolina has some of the best Trad around and there's no reason to spend your time on mediocre sport crags.

Scott and Sara wrote:

I passed through that area recently and climbed at Rocky Face.  Sport climbing, old granite quarry, shortest approach possible. Worth a visit!

I'd rather pay $20 to get a day pass to a gym than go to rocky face again

unemployed astronaut wrote:

I'd rather pay $20 to get a day pass to a gym than go to rocky face again

Rocky Face has a shorter approach than a gym ;)

Scott and Sara wrote:

Rocky Face has a shorter approach than a gym ;)

I'll admit that's its one saving grace

unemployed astronaut wrote:

I'll admit that's its one saving grace

I always liked that you can grill out hot dogs while belaying.  But you just got to be really careful you don't confuse the rope for a sausage.

Sorry to hijack, does anyone have the GPS coordinates for the Buckeye Knob boulders? I know the CCC says it's 10 miles W of Boone and I'm going up Labor Day Weekend to visit family and would love to check it out! Also, thanks for the rec on Rocky Face, I may even be able to get my family out climbing too! 

There is also little wilson which is very close to the dump. 

If you have 3 days then I'd recommend Shortoff, Hawksbill (specifically Lower Hawksbill), and Ship Rock. 

Hawksbill and Ship have shorter approaches (~20 min) and are generally single pitch crags. They are also warmer weather crags.

Shortoff has a longer (~45 min) approach but is 2-3 pitches tall and is a cooler weather crag.

Places like the Dump and Little Wilson are good for a half-day (or lazy-day) but are not on par with these areas.

Nathan speaks the truth. Don't waste your limited time going to mediocre crags like Little Wilson or the Dump. Hawskbill, Ship Rock, and Shortoff are all incredible that time of year, though with limited time, Shortoff might be a bit of a stretch if you don't have anyone to show you around. 

Lower Hawksbill has steep lines and a few excellent cracks on what I think is the most wonderful rock in the state (Linville River Crag is very similar, very scenic, but a bit of a haul to get out of). Middle Hawksbill has slabby knifeblade edging sport routes and steep, fun trad lines. Main Wall has some roof routes. Ship Rock has generally very well protected, steep juggy routes in a very scenic area. Shortoff has multipitch everything in a great wilderness setting.

thechuffingisreal wrote:

Sorry to hijack, does anyone have the GPS coordinates for the Buckeye Knob boulders? I know the CCC says it's 10 miles W of Boone and I'm going up Labor Day Weekend to visit family and would love to check it out! Also, thanks for the rec on Rocky Face, I may even be able to get my family out climbing too! 

I don't think the CCC would want directions released yet. They are only under contract to purchase the land, it is not actually theirs yet. They will probably also want to do some parking/approach work before opening it up to everyone.

For the main discussion: Just do Ship Rock. It can easily occupy you for two days. Easy drive, easy approach, great quality.

@Benandstuff, gotcha! I must have really misunderstood their video and didn't really realize they haven't actually purchased it yet, thanks for the clarification!

thechuffingisreal wrote:

@Benandstuff, gotcha! I must have really misunderstood their video and didn't really realize they haven't actually purchased it yet, thanks for the clarification!

They have effectively purchased the land- the CCC has really grown over the past few years and will be able to secure the funding. But please- donate if you can, as it will make it much easier for them to recover from the purchase (less loans) and do more good work protecting NC areas.