Dec 1 NC Wall Linville Gorge

The scramble today is the NC Wall route. Beginning at Table Rock we follow the MST around the chimney and exit the trail at the climbers' route down the Mossy Monster through the Separation Crack. The route down to the crack was a bit spooky. It was wet and some of the rock holds weren't solid. Fortunately, the rest of the route was dry. Once down the Mossy Monster, we traveled south along the wall. The deadfall and briers were manageable as there was a faint trail through here. 

The trail, if one can call it that, seems to end at the point above. In order to proceed along the wall base, one must either climb this tree or scramble over the rock just a bit further from the tree. Most of us went up the rock. I had some difficulty here and needed to memorize where the footholds were since once you began, you could not longer see them. The tree is still a viable way to go but the branch supported by the rock has died and may at some point break off. That would render this method much more difficult.

The going beyond here is rougher. I needed to snip myself free from briers many times. Our route heads toward the Sphinx rock formation. The climb up the Sphinx was a bit too daunting for two of our party, so most of us ate lunch atop this rock while two remained slightly below. 

Gerri picks out a great seat for lunch.

John does a bit of exploring on the Sphinx and refers me to this flower below. I think this is Pink Punctatum, Carolina Rhododendron. I am thrilled to see it blooming here in December.

After lunch, we climb off the Sphinx and continue along the wall and head up a gully into the Amphitheater. This gully is not terribly difficult in terms of being technical but it can be exhausting. I am worn out after the scramble up.

Some of us continue to the Mummy. I stop at a spot overlooking the Mummy while 5 go below to explore. The views here are nice and I have a relaxing rest.

The day is not done. We must hike up the side of the gorge a long way to the MST. This is another exhausting climb. Finally, we walk on trail again. The final scramble of the day is a traverse of the chimneys. 

The view from the top of the chimneys is 360 degrees. You can easily make out the balds on Roan Mountain to the north. We make our way over the chimneys and exit down the climbers' gully onto the MST for the final walk to Table Rock.