Selected Climbs:In North Carol

Don't think of north carolina for a climbing destination? Think again. Located in the southern appalachians, intimidating granite domes, steep quartzite walls, and a variety of terrain offering short and long climbs will whet the appetites of beginning to more advanced climbers. The 10 climbing areas are organized into three geographical regions: piedmont including moore's wall; stone mountain; crowders mountain; the northern blue ridge covering the infamous linville gorge-often referred to as the grand canyon of north carolina; ship rock; and the southern blue ridge with looking glass, rumbling bald, cedar rock, big green, and whiteside mountain. Yon lambert has spent more than a decade climbing in the appalachian mountains and across the u.S. As a freelance writer, his articles have appeared in many publications including the washington post and climbing magazine. He is also the assistant director of palmetto conservation foundation, a nonprofit conservation group in south carolina. Harrison shull has climbed extensively in the u.S. And spent six years living and working at seneca rocks, west virginia as a climbing guide. He moved to asheville in 1998 where his work as a freelance photographer specializing in outdoor adventure sports allows him plenty of time to be out in the north carolina woods.