Kentucky · Rock climbing · Elkhorn City

Black Lung

The hardest climb catalogued at Coal Wall among seven routes in this grade system.

5.11c
grade
Sport Bolted
style

Is Black Lung open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. It doesn't name Black Lung, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Black Lung

Best months: March–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

    43° / 23°

  2. Feb

    47° / 26°

  3. Mar

    56° / 32°

  4. Apr

    67° / 40°

  5. May

    73° / 50°

  6. Jun

    80° / 58°

  7. Jul

    82° / 62°

  8. Aug

    82° / 62°

  9. Sep

    77° / 55°

  10. Oct

    66° / 43°

  11. Nov

    55° / 33°

  12. Dec

    46° / 27°

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Breaks Interstate Park, VA, 1.9 mi away at 1,893 ft. The station sits about 800 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

This route represents the upper end of the grade spectrum at Coal Wall, where seven climbs have been catalogued across the 5.10 to 5.11c range.

Photo of the crag

Coal Wall — the crag this route is on
Coal Wall, Kentucky — this photo shows the crag, not this individual route.Photo: Gamma Man, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)