North Carolina · Rock climbing · Pinnacle

Big Arete

Big Arete in North Carolina has 6 mixed and sport climbing routes across 6 grades.

6 routes
5.6 – 5.11d
Sport · Mixed

Best time to visit Big Arete

Best months: March–June and 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

    48° / 28°

  2. Feb

    51° / 30°

  3. Mar

    59° / 36°

  4. Apr

    69° / 45°

  5. May

    77° / 54°

  6. Jun

    84° / 63°

  7. Jul

    87° / 67°

  8. Aug

    85° / 65°

  9. Sep

    79° / 59°

  10. Oct

    69° / 47°

  11. Nov

    59° / 37°

  12. Dec

    50° / 31°

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rural Hall, NC, 12.2 mi away at 960 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Big Arete is a climbing area in North Carolina, about 2.8 miles from the town of Pinnacle. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots and hiking trails, which makes it a compact destination for climbers and hikers alike. The climbing here is mostly sport, with one mixed route, and the grades range from 5.6 to 5.11d. Among the routes are Hunger Strike at 5.7, Man Overboard at 5.10c, and Anchors Away at 5.11d. The mixed route, Bet Ya Can't Eat Just One, is 5.6. Several other climbing areas, including Ground Up aka Big Gully and Fear of Flying, are about 0.1 mile away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the Rural Hall weather station, about 12 miles away and roughly 1,100 feet lower, show April highs near 69°F and October highs near 69°F, while July highs climb to about 87°F. Temperatures at the climbing area itself run cooler than those figures. The Pilot Knob Trail and Ledge Spring Trail are hiking options within a short distance, and the Little Yadkin River offers paddling about 5 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive