AVR Appraisals, LLC Blog

North Carolina may never be a destination for ice climbing, but if you live in the area, have a flexible schedule, and the weather cooperates, there is ice climbing to be had.  You need kind of a "perfect storm" situation.  This weekend, despite the warmup earlier in the week, there was ice climbing to be found.  On Saturday (1/22), AMI (Appalachian Mountain Institute) held there annual ice climbing demo on Route 215 near the Blue Ridge Parkway.  With top ropes set up and plenty of willing belayers, you could climb all day.

Patrick Weaver, owner of AMI, leading a route to set up a new top rope.

After a warmup on the climbs at 215, my husband and I headed to the back side of Sams Knob in Shining Rock on Sunday for an all day trek/climb.  After a steep hike through the woods you find yourself at the start of the climb, which begins with some low angle trekking in crampons up a frozen creek.  This year there was less ice to be found than last year so I ended up rock-hopping in crampons which is rather tricky at times.  However, you eventually get to steeper terrain for full-on ice climbing.

My husband at the top of the first long steep section of ice.

Beautiful Scenery

The final steep section of the climb.

If you like adventure, but need a guide, there are plenty of guide services in the area.  My favorite is AMI.  Check out their website.