Roadtrip Week 15 & 16: Rumbling Bald, North Carolina
After 2 weeks in Boone, I cruised the couple hours south to Rumbling Bald to check out its 900+ granite boulder problems. I initially didn’t expect to stay long, but was quickly enamored by the abundance of great problems and the ease of access due to the fantastic guidebook.
I luckily caught Rumbling Bald in prime season, being able to climb everyday except on my purposeful rest days and the 3 days it rained.
Andrew on the powerful Kung Fu. This is the only “pant dependent” climb I have ever been on. The beta includes using a knee to balance to a crimp, but without jeans or pants with some type of friction it seriously seems impossible.
One of my favorite problems was the uber classic Rotator Cuff.
This highball was such a aesthetic line. Though not difficult, I was still scared at the top and I was unable to top it off. Pictured is Nate.
One of the most ridiculous, yet fun problems I have yet to climb. The problem is named Wrestling the Alligator and includes beta of double heel hooks, double toe hooks and moving in a complete circle before manteling. Pictured is Colin.
The necessary campus move on Dime Crack. Thankfully, since the problem is a little tall, the climb gets easier as you go.
Dan on a new highball line on the Devil boulder.
Issa on a “fun” (aka impossible) problem. I have been fortunate that every spot I have visited I have met some really great people who have become good friends. This was the case with the Charlotte crew, in particular Issa, Joe and David.
I met Fire Fly, pictured above, in Asheville. We attended the most rocking concert put on by the Firecracker Jazzband and then he joined the crew at the boulders the next day. Good times!
And of course the obligatory photo of CB. I believe she was hanging out in the Fire Fly’s jacket in this pic.
Tags: climbing, north carolina, rumbling bald