Thread: A great day away from it all (lots of PICS)

So this weekend, me and my friend decided to go to Stone Mountain and climb the "Great Arch"
This climb requires a lot of gear (cams, quick draws and slings) but is relatively easy. If i were a braver soul i could climb this without protection, but I cant say that would be smart.

Since i cant figure out how to type between the pictures...

1st and 2nd picture: From a few hundred yards away on the hike up the mountain. 1st is the left side, 2nd the right side. The red circle has a group of climbers in it. I did it for scale, the Blue Circle is the route which we would soon be climbing. This entire mountain is one GIANT slab of granite, and it is awesome to climb on. Your shoes stick to the rock.

3rd: "Dirty Crack", 150 feet, Rated 5.8 - there are easier climbs up to the "Tree Ledge" but i like the one the most. Just follow the crack up the route.

4th: This is a look down from the tree ledge after the "Dirty Crack". That is my friend/climbing partner Andy. He really doesnt dress the part.

5th: I took this picture looking down from the "Tree Ledge", Pay attention to the lonely tree in the meadow, it will come up later.

6th and 7th: This is the "Great Arch". It is 3 pitches/runs up 400 feet and rated 5.5 which by the books would mean your grandma could do it . There are two belay stations with anchors set up between each pitch. There are people ahead of us we ended up waiting a LONG time for. But it was worth it.

8th: Here i am at the 2nd belay station looking back down at the "Tree Ledge". My partner has finished the third pitch at this point.

9th: A look down after i finished the climb. Once again, that lonely tree is there, this time he just seems a little bit lonelier. Also, because of waiting on the people, it was getting dark in this pictures, and the new few as well.

10th: After you finish the climb, there is a 100 yard long section at roughly 30 degrees. Its easy to walk on so its not part of the "climb" but it still is increasing elevation. This picture is from the very top, looking over the mountains of North Carolina.

I hope you all enjoy.

GREAT pics and that looks like a great day with an awesome view once you get there.

Thanks for sharing

I too have climbed the great arch though it was many moons ago. Easy or not, it is a very exposed climb. The views are tremendous and I am so glad you decided to post as it brought back good memories for me!

-Rob

Glad I could revive some lost memories Sic. And I said it's "easy" but it does require alot of gusto when getting through some of the spots.

found a place that is only three miles from where i live for climbing, not quite as high as that but still not real small was gonna head there today but of course this is the only day the temp dropped in the last week or so, ehh maybe tomorrow

-dan-

Holy crap! I am impressed. But then again I can hardly climb down into my hole each day.