475B

The big news for us this weekend is that 475B in Pisgah National Forest is finally open! Hooray for easy access to Looking Glass climbing again! The word seemed to be out Saturday, as all three parking areas were packed with climbers drinking in the warm weather. A few sprinkles did not thwart us at the North Side, where Phil started sussing out the ultra thin, Waste Not Want Not. It turns out a #00 C3 is not the ideal crux piece!

I was particularly excited to see multiple female trad leaders giving a go at Invisible Airwaves. We need more hard-charging trad chicas around here.

Friday and Saturday night, Banff did not disappoint and the films were a treat to the packed audiences. The Swiss Machine and The Asgard Project represented climbing well, both motivating and frightening! Both are available at LGO if you want to check out the full length films and fuel your spring climbing motivation.

We also have a fresh selection of Sanuks and an unbelievable 3.2 oz Summit Series shell from The North Face. Everybody can make room for an emergency shell like that in their pack!
Bring in your Banff ticket stub through the end of March for 10% off and Happy Spring Adventures!


Climb Globally, Shop Locally
Looking Glass Outfitters
69 Hendersonville Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
828.884.5854
www.lookingglassoutfitters.com

Banff Mountain Film Festival

Banff hits Brevard, NC this weekend! Stop in at the shop any time this weekend with your ticket stub and receive 10% off. Looking forward to goose bump inducing, jaw dropping outdoor themed movies.....



Climb Globally, Shop Locally
Looking Glass Outfitters
69 Hendersonville Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
828.884.5854
www.lookingglassoutfitters.com

WNC Climbing

After last weekend's torrential rains, this past weekend's forecast was a real treat. We had traveled to Tennessee a couple weekends in a row, so we were looking forward to not filling up the gas tanks as much and climbing locally in NC. Although 475b was still closed (for no apparent reason,) we hoofed it up to the Sun Wall of Looking Glass. Surprisingly, the hike from the beginning of 475b (near the Fish Hatchery,) to the South End Parking Area was only about 1.25 miles. So, it really isn't as far as you think.

Still, we arrived at The Sun Wall to discover loads of running water submerging the routes. We defaulted to the South End and did Rats Ass and Windwalker- both fun classics for a sunny, breezy day. There were a few crews of SPI courses and some recreational climbers enjoying the day, and the sunny/ breezy combo made for great conditions.

Saturday night we camped out in the VW van in Tryon. We have decided to sell the beloved "Clydeabus," so we are relishing a few more trips camping in his cavernous & comfy space. We are forever spoiled by not sleeping in a tent. Sunday morning, Vinca flushed out about half a dozen deer before breakfast, and we headed to Rumbling Bald. With the forecast likely to hit 70, we dumped on sunscreen and figured we would give RB one more day before the season disappears and the poison ivy takes charge.

The Cereal Wall had its usual traffic, and we headed to Captain Crunch to enjoy stellar crack climbing in the shade. It is shocking that this route doesn't get more traffic! We then headed to Cold Fingers and quickly discovered that the name is for good reason. This is an awfully tough route in the sun as temps hit 70. Still, it was a great day to be climbing in North Carolina. Hope you had fun too.

See you this weekend at the Banff Mountain Film Festival!!



Climb Globally, Shop Locally
Looking Glass Outfitters
69 Hendersonville Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
828.884.5854
www.lookingglassoutfitters.com

Check out the May Women's Retreat!

May 20-22nd
Women, mark your calendar for a weekend with Appalachian Mountain Institute and Katie Mattson! The group will be climbing and doing yoga in the serenity of Pisgah National Forest, plus staying in an awesome cabin. Sign up before April 1st and receive an Early Bird Discount!


Climb Globally, Shop Locally
Looking Glass Outfitters
69 Hendersonville Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
828.884.5854
www.lookingglassoutfitters.com

T Wall Climbing Fun

When a beloved Charlotte friend told us her new Swiss Mountain Guide friend was coming to town and they were heading to T Wall, we didn't think twice about marking our calendars and heading to Chattanooga this past weekend. The forecast looked pretty good, and we were in the mood for a weekend full of rad crack climbs.
Frost took a gamble and drove with us in the Clydeabus, which is always a bit of a gamble. Clyde doesn't get anywhere quickly, but he sure is comfy and roomy for the whole crew. Saturday was a gorgeous sunny day in the 60's, and the T Wall parking lot was jam-packed. We were only mildly outnumbered by French Canadians, but still managed to get on classics like In Pursuit of Excellence, Super Slide, The Sweep, Fly with the Falcon and Digital Macabre. We stumbled down to the parking lot tired, but satisfied, and scarfed down Bertrand's chili, followed by some freshly delivered Swiss chocolates- oui oui!
Sunday, we were all sore, but scrumped up the trail as the humidity became heavy as can be. It was a strange weather day threatening to rain and being simultaneously muggy and chilly. Despite the un-ideal friction, we had another stellar day of climbing on goodies like Cake Walk and Blood on the Rocks. Bertrand, aka the Swiss Stallion, stole the show by sending Mrs. Socrates and Olympic Alchemy 2nd go. Apparently living within an hour of Chamonix and guiding for Les Guides de Verbier makes you pretty darn strong!
The routes at T Wall are so much fun, and so humbling. We all had our fair share of triumphs and defeats, but had a blast nonetheless. We even got to wear flip flops again in February.


Climb Globally, Shop Locally
Looking Glass Outfitters
69 Hendersonville Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
828.884.5854
www.lookingglassoutfitters.com

Scott working on Stand and Deliver

...not afraid to whip at the Obed in his Mountain Khakis Teton Twills!




Climb Globally, Shop Locally
Looking Glass Outfitters
69 Hendersonville Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
828.884.5854
www.lookingglassoutfitters.com