Supporters of The Access Fund and the Carolina Climbers Coalition braved a foggy, misty day at Rumbling Bald on Saturday to help clean up the boulder fields. We primarily focused on moving fallen trees that were heavily affecting the trail or boulder problems, so if you were climbing in the area, you surely noticed the buzz of chainsaws.
It was a fun day of stewarding one of North Carolina's greatest climbing treasures, and a big reminder of how much bouldering opportunity Rumbling Bald offers. (Yes, we have the Rumbling Bald Bouldering Guide at Looking Glass Outfitters. )
By the afternoon, much of the crew hit the routes and boulders despite the mist. Luckily there was dry rock to be found. Thanks to everyone for their hard work! Don't forget, the CCC is still working on paying off the land they recently acquired. Donate today!!
It can be hard to find a technical jacket under $100 these days, but Phil and I have both been getting a lot of use from two Mountain Hardwear Softshell Jackets that are priced right under $100. Phil's Offwidth Jacket is an athletic cut jacket with a good amount of stretch. It is not so techy that he can't wear it around town, yet it allows the mobility to climb or hike in it.
Women looking for a hooded jacket will like the Chockstone Jacket. Mine has become a daily staple, and I particularly like the trimmed down features, again making it a very versatile climbing, traveling or pub-touring piece. Both jackets shed water in a light rain, yet have a lot more stretch than your average rain shell, making them nearly as comfortable as a fleece. If the skies really open up, you will need a true rain shell, but both the Offwidth and the Chockstone have proven to be great, streamlined softshells for outdoor fun.
We certainly don't get snow like this every winter in the Brevard area, but it has been fun exploring Dupont trails and waterfalls on foot and by bike with the blanket of white. Not sure the turkey was impressed with me!
Looking Glass Outfitters is a full service gear shop open 7 Days a week at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and around the corner from Hendersonville, Brevard & Asheville. www.lookingglassoutfitters.com
Looking Glass Outfitters is a full service gear shop open 7 Days a week at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and around the corner from Hendersonville, Brevard & Asheville. www.lookingglassoutfitters.com
9:00 am Wake up Late 9:30 am Feast on Big Breakfast 10:00 am Start Gathering Gear 11:00 am Leave House with Jam-Packed Car 12:00 pm Ice Climbing about 15 minutes from Home, 2 minutes from Car 3:30 pm Mountain Biking around Issaqueena Lake- No ice or snow in sight 7:00 pm Freshly showered & eating hot meal at home by fire!
With so many days so far from reaching above freezing temps, the buzz in western North Carolina has been all about ice climbing. 215 has been jumping, and even made it on a recent front page of the Asheville Citizen Times.
Need screws, tools, crampons,ropes or warm layers for ice climbing? We have it all at Looking Glass Outfitters plus a little beta on where to find fat ice. We have been seeing ice climbers from all over the southeast heading to the Brevard area to check out the ice. Have fun!
Currently in effect impacting some climbing at Whitesides Mountain and Looking Glass Jan15- Aug 15th Please respect these areas! Details here
North Carolina's Best Climbing Shop
Favorite Places to Climb in NC...
Rumbling Bald RB has it all- Trad climbing, bouldering, slab, steep, stellar cracks-- you name it. This area was recently incorporated into Hickory Nut Gorge State Park and is best climbed in fall through spring, as summer brings on intense heat and oodles of poison ivy. Be sure to park considerately in the newly completed parking lot.
Looking Glass Looking Glass is truly around the corner from our shop! It has everything from classic multipitch moderates like The Nose, to long aid climbs, and steep, classic cracks like Cornflake Crack. The Nose Area and The South Face are popular for groups and moderate climbers. Bring your trad gear- particularly tricams for the tricky eyebrows that Looking Glass is known for!
Linville Gorge Shortoff is a fabulous area to check out some of the steeper routes in western NC. Dopey Duck is a great classic to get your feet wet and Ship Rock, just off The Blue Ridge Parkway, stays cool in summer.
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