Rock Climbing --- 3/30/2018 - 4/8/2018 --- North Carolina
Spring Break
Drove to North Carolina on Friday. Saturday morning we left our lovely rest area early and went to Moore's Wall where we immediately hopped on Zoo View. It is a very classic route, but not one I'd recommend when the rock is about 35F and shaded. After that experience of screaming barfies we spent the rest of the day in the sun toproping Quaker State (which is a fantastic route!) and climbing Wailing Wall.
The campground was full, so we spent another night at a rest area (not that one, the other one across the street) and went back to Moore's Wall on Sunday. We climbed Raise Hell, Do or Dive, and Nuclear Crayon. Sad to be done with rest areas, we drove to the Pisgah National Forest and Linville Gorge where we found a level spot to park.
Monday was our first day at Shortoff Mountain we found the descent and explored the routes. We climbed Maginot Line which was really fun.
Awake and at it fairly early Tuesday, we had plenty of time to climb Dopey Duck (with the Toxic Shock start) and Paradise Alley. Both were great climbs except for the mediocre second pitch on Paradise Alley.
Wednesday was a quick day trip to Rumbling Bald. We climbed Granola, Whiskey for Breakfast, Frosted Flake, and Fruit Loops. Camille loved the chimney on the second pitch of Fruit Loops. I have no idea why.
Heading back into the Pisgah forest we went to Looking Glass on Thursday where we climbed Second Coming, Gemini Crack, and an unnamed 5.5
Friday will be our final day climbing because it is supposed to rain all night and all day Saturday. At Laurel Knob we enjoy the hike to the base of this spectacular granite dome. We start up Groover and are at the second belay when sleet and rain start teeming down. About 12 hours earlier than we expected based on the forecast. At least I was wearing synthetic pants! We left some gear... I figured better to lose a cam than a Camille. We hiked out in the continuing rain, happy to have climbed seven days in a row for spring break.
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Camille on Quaker State Moore's Wall, NC -- 3/31/2018 |
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Camille coming up Wailing Wall Moore's Wall, NC -- 3/31/2018 |
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#wtf? #aprilfools? Moore's Wall, NC -- 4/1/2018 |
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Shorts Off Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/2/2018 |
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Camille coming up Maginot Line Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/2/2018 |
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Camille coming up Maginot Line Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/2/2018 |
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Camille coming up Maginot Line Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/2/2018 |
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Dopey Duck Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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The Toxic Shock start to Dopey Duck Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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The Toxic Shock start to Dopey Duck Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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Camille coming up Dopey Duck Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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Coiling rope at the top of the gorge Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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The start of Paradise Alley Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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I'm smiling because I can place the #4 right off the ground and not carry it for the rest of the pitch Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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CAMille leading the really cool third pitch of Paradise Alley Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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CAMille leading the really cool third pitch of Paradise Alley Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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Great view Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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Great view Linville Gorge, NC -- 4/3/2018 |
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Toproping Whiskey for Breakfast Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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Toproping Whiskey for Breakfast Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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Holy heck that move is hard! Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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Camille cleaning Frosted Flake Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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Camille cleaning Frosted Flake Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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Camille coming up the first pitch of Fruit Loops Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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Camille coming up the first pitch of Fruit Loops Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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View from atop Fruit Loops Rumbling Bald, NC -- 4/4/2018 |
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Camille coming up Gemini Looking Glass, NC -- 4/5/2018 |
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Camille coming up Gemini Looking Glass, NC -- 4/5/2018 |
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Camille coming up Gemini Looking Glass, NC -- 4/5/2018 |
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Camille coming up Gemini Looking Glass, NC -- 4/5/2018 |
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Camille coming up Gemini Looking Glass, NC -- 4/5/2018 |
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Camille leading Gemini Looking Glass, NC -- 4/5/2018 |
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Cold stream crossing on the hike in Laurel Knob, NC -- 4/6/2018 |
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Definitely synthetic pants Laurel Knob, NC -- 4/6/2018 |
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Groover climbs a water groove. Which isn't so groovy in the rain. Laurel Knob, NC -- 4/6/2018 |
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Bail anchor (just the .75 and the nut, the rest was our backup before the final rappel) Laurel Knob, NC -- 4/6/2018 |
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Look at us both in our synthetic pants Laurel Knob, NC -- 4/6/2018 |
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Might as well just walk through the stream, then put on dry shoes and socks at the car Laurel Knob, NC -- 4/6/2018 |