Kentucky · Rock climbing · Beattyville

The Mole

The Portal's hardest catalogued climb among 12 routes at the crag.

5.13a
grade
Sport Bolted
style

Is The Mole open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name The Mole, 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 The Mole

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, 2.3 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

This route represents the upper limit of difficulty at The Portal, where 12 climbs have been catalogued across a range from 5.9 to 5.13a.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

The Bear's DenPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Bear's Den

~3 min drive

Bear's Den, The in Kentucky has 36 climbing routes on 17 difficulty grades.

North 40Photo: MarkDoliner, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North 40

~3 min drive

North 40 in Kentucky has 6 routes across 5 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

A-Hole WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

A-Hole Wall

~3 min drive

A-Hole Wall in Kentucky has 9 sport climbing routes across 6 grades.

B-Hole WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

B-Hole Wall

~3 min drive

B-Hole Wall in Kentucky has 9 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering sport and trad options.

(3) GMC WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(3) GMC Wall

~3 min drive

(3) GMC Wall is a climbing area in Kentucky with 8 routes.

The ShirePhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Shire

~3 min drive

Shire is a Kentucky climbing crag with 13 routes across 12 grades, offering bouldering pads, sport, and trad.

(1) Buckeye ButtressPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(1) Buckeye Buttress

~3 min drive

Buckeye Buttress in Kentucky has 14 climbing routes across 9 grades.

Courtesy WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Courtesy Wall

~3 min drive

6 sport climbing routes at Courtesy Wall in Kentucky.

South ParkPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Park

~3 min drive

South Park in Kentucky has 19 sport climbing routes with 15 difficulty grades.

PurgatoryPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Purgatory

~3 min drive

Purgatory in Kentucky has 14 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Local businesses nearby

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

Miguels Rock Climbing Shop

Rock Climbing business nearby (~9 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

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