Kentucky · Rock climbing · Pine Ridge

Beginner's Nightmare

The easiest climb at Princess Arch among seven catalogued routes.

5.1
grade
Trad Gear
style

Is Beginner's Nightmare open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Beginner's Nightmare, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Beginner's Nightmare

Best months: August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    42° / 24°

    13 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 27°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    57° / 34°

    15 wet

  4. Apr

    68° / 44°

    15 wet

  5. May

    75° / 53°

    15 wet

  6. Jun

    82° / 61°

    14 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 65°

    14 wet

  8. Aug

    84° / 64°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    79° / 57°

    10 wet

  10. Oct

    69° / 44°

    12 wet

  11. Nov

    57° / 35°

    12 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 28°

    13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Beattyville 4n, KY, 14.4 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

This is the easiest route catalogued at Princess Arch, where climbs range from 5.1 to 5.10d.

Photo of the crag

Princess Arch — the crag this route is on
Princess Arch, Kentucky — this photo shows the crag, not this individual route.Photo: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Window WallPhoto: karen roussel, CC0 (via Flickr)

Window Wall

~1 min drive

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Half MoonPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Half Moon

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Pinch-em Tight RidgePhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Pinch-em Tight Ridge

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Buzzard's RoostPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Buzzard's Roost

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Hen's Nest RockPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hen's Nest Rock

~4 min drive

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Tarr RidgePhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Tarr Ridge

~4 min drive

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Eastern Skybridge RidgePhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Eastern Skybridge Ridge

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Eastern Sky Bridge RidgePhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Eastern Sky Bridge Ridge

~4 min drive

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Lower Sky Bridge RidgePhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Lower Sky Bridge Ridge

~4 min drive

Kentucky climbing on natural rock with varied terrain and scenic setting.

Raven RockPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Raven Rock

~4 min drive

Natural rock climbing area in Kentucky with varied climbing opportunities.

Local businesses nearby

Outfitters and businesses near Pine Ridge. They haven’t set up their Roamze page yet.

Miguels Rock Climbing Shop

Rock Climbing business nearby (~5 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

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