Few crags can boast the diversity of climbing that Rumbling Bald can. Honestly. How many places can a beginning leader, experienced leader at any level, and a boulderer go to on the same day and meet a challenge? The Bald has tough sport routes for the face climbing afficionado. Mixed climbers can have their pick of plumb lines. And most boulderers would agree that your tips are going to go before your forearms if you don’t choose your problems wisely!

Over the years, access to Rumbling Bald has been as diverse, if you will, as the climbing. Locals can remember having to sneak onto the property to climb. Access was questionable enough in the 90s that the Third Edition of the NC Climber’s Guide omitted the cliff completely. Meanwhile, locals continued to work out access arrangements with the collection of owners. Today, climbers enjoy access due to the graciousness of the owners. We may climb and boulder there, but camping is not allowed.

A little over a year ago, there were new property surveys being done. Local climbers saw land listings in real estate publications. What was happening? Can we climb there? The above incidents did occur. The Carolina Climbers’ Coalition recognized that the loose organization of climbers would have to come together, and quickly, to have any influence. The bottom line….no one wants to lose access to Rumbling Bald.

The CCC set up membership fees, started selling t-shirts, and bumper stickers. Small groups of climbers throughout the state started organizing fundraisers. Calendars were developed and sold. Slide shows were organized and held in people’s homes. Slide shows were scaled up a notch and held in local eateries. All of these efforts have been aimed at building a ‘nest egg’ to secure climbing access at the Bald.

The Bald is Beautiful Party/Fundraiser is another push to mature that nest egg. Below is a list of the detailed activities that will be going on at the party. But the main focus is gathering climbers together in the Piedmont for a day of climbing, and raising money for a cliff that we all love. If you can not attend, but want to support the cause, please consider being an individual sponsor. You may send a check made to the CCC to the same address as the ticket sales. We will post your name as an individual sponsor on the CCC website, on a poster at the event, and announce your name at the event.

Keep an eye on the CCC site for updates on access, and efforts to see the Bald stay like it is…open to climbers. For more information, stay tuned to www.carolinaclimbers.org or email Nancy Jackson at nancy_jackson@med.unc.edu

Bald is Beautiful
March 26, 2005
8pm-2am at Winston-Salem’s music venue the Garage
Tickets $20 (bring more $$ for the raffle/silent auction)
Free Pizza (complements of Burke St Pizza)
MC—The General, himself, Kurt Smith

Slide shows: Matt Stark and Chris Brown Short Film viewings: Joe Iurato and Kurt Smith Live Music: Euphoria
Door Prizes for ticket holders and a gear raffle!!

Also, Fox Mountain Guides in their sponsorship is offering an Introductory Traditional Climbing Class with all proceeds going to the CCC. There are only 8 spaces for this class. Class Cost is $50 and must be prepaid (email wingedpigsfly@aol.com) before the event.

Tickets are available at: Black Dome, Asheville NC Inner Peaks Climbing Gym, Charlotte NC Great Outdoor Provision Company, Winston-Salem NC, Tumblee’s Ultimate Climbing Gym, Greensboro NC, Trail Shop, Chapel Hill NC

Or make checks to CCC and mail to:
Kim Iverson
2946 Lakawanna Drive
Walkertown NC 27051