Route Climbed: "Paralleling" and "Panthertown Knobs" Date Climbed: 1998
My freind and guide, Burton Moomaw, introduced me to Big Green Mountain one fall season years ago. This area has an interresting history, and narrow escape from typical urban developement. It is now owned by the Forest Service.
Like Whiteside, the founding climbers of this area were undeniably bold. Most routes on Big Green are well above my own abilities, but I was lucky enough to have had the chance to climb "Panthertown Knobs" 5.9, and "Paralleling" 5.10. Most routes on Big Green are a big lesson on friction climbing. "Paralleling" follows a gradually deepening water groove as the route nears the top of the cliff. Other than the goove, it is nearly featurless.
As is the case with all climbing areas in North Carolina, I would recommend reading Thomas Kelley's "Climber's Guide to North Carolina". The section on this mountain pays special attention to a moratorium on new bolting. If you like it scary and run-out, Big Green is for you!
Route Climbed: Unnamed trail out of Panthertown Creek/Bog area. Date Climbed: 09-28-2004
I'd wanted to climb Big Green since summitting Little Green a few months ago. I figured if this was the big brother of one of the most beautiful mountains I'd ever climbed, then it had to be better all around. Alas, while it's a great mountain, it doesn't have the views available from the summits of Little Green. While a bit more massive and a little higher, the upper 200 feet or so of Big Green is clothed in forest and affords no views at all. And, while the cliff faces are higher and more extreme (and thus more fun for rock climbing), there are not many access points to them from the summit for enjoying the views.
Still, all in all, a great North Carolina mountain.
sierratrekkin - Feb 10, 2005 9:11 pm
Route Climbed: "Paralleling" and "Panthertown Knobs" Date Climbed: 1998My freind and guide, Burton Moomaw, introduced me to Big Green Mountain one fall season years ago. This area has an interresting history, and narrow escape from typical urban developement. It is now owned by the Forest Service.
Like Whiteside, the founding climbers of this area were undeniably bold. Most routes on Big Green are well above my own abilities, but I was lucky enough to have had the chance to climb "Panthertown Knobs" 5.9, and "Paralleling" 5.10. Most routes on Big Green are a big lesson on friction climbing. "Paralleling" follows a gradually deepening water groove as the route nears the top of the cliff. Other than the goove, it is nearly featurless.
As is the case with all climbing areas in North Carolina, I would recommend reading Thomas Kelley's "Climber's Guide to North Carolina". The section on this mountain pays special attention to a moratorium on new bolting. If you like it scary and run-out, Big Green is for you!
BobSmith - Oct 1, 2004 10:46 pm
Route Climbed: Unnamed trail out of Panthertown Creek/Bog area. Date Climbed: 09-28-2004I'd wanted to climb Big Green since summitting Little Green a few months ago. I figured if this was the big brother of one of the most beautiful mountains I'd ever climbed, then it had to be better all around. Alas, while it's a great mountain, it doesn't have the views available from the summits of Little Green. While a bit more massive and a little higher, the upper 200 feet or so of Big Green is clothed in forest and affords no views at all. And, while the cliff faces are higher and more extreme (and thus more fun for rock climbing), there are not many access points to them from the summit for enjoying the views.
Still, all in all, a great North Carolina mountain.