Friday, March 16, 2012

The Chimneys, Linville Gorge

A neat place that's relatively easy to get to in the Linville Gorge Wilderness is a pair of mountain peaks called "The Chimneys". Viewed from a distance they appear to be easy to climb, but when you get to the base of the twin peaks, you learn that it's not actually as easy as it looks.

The first time I went I wasn't able to climb all the way to the summit of the higher of the pair of peaks. But I hope to return there soon and get to the top.


Photo of the Bob about a half mile from The Chimneys in Linville Gorge.
(Photo by Andy Kunkle.)

Here I was at the base of one of the peaks. You have to climb the rock walls to get to the top. Next time, for sure.

I did manage to climb most of the way to the top, stopping about twenty vertical feet shy of the summit. There I turned and got this photo of Andy and Boone sitting at the bottom.
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2 comments:

  1. MarkGelbart9:03 AM

    What state is Linville Gorge in?

    The photo in the middle looks like a scene from an old western filmed in the Rocky Mountains, but I know this is in the east.

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  2. James Robert Smith2:41 PM

    Linville Gorge is right here in NC. It has some of the most impressive scenery in the eastern USA. Comparable to the ruggedness of many western locations. I've been fortunate enough to have hiked all around the Gorge.

    You could take your family to Wiseman's View only the Kistler Highway. It is handicap accessible with paved wheelchair-friendly path to the overlook. Well worth the drive.

    Of course keep in mind that "Kistler Highway" is a dirt and gravel road. It's not a paved highway and was named in the day when "highway" had a completely different meaning. It's kept in good repair and is perfectly fine for two-wheel drive vehicles except in snowy/icy weather.

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