North Carolina · Rock climbing · Lake Lure

The Cave

Cave, The in North Carolina has 5 climbing routes on mixed, sport, and trad.

5 routes

5.7 – 5.12b

Sport · Trad · Mixed

Best time to visit The Cave

Best months: February–June and September–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.

Jan
50° / 28°
9 wet
Feb
55° / 30°
8 wet
Mar
62° / 36°
9 wet
Apr
72° / 44°
9 wet
May
78° / 54°
10 wet
Jun
85° / 63°
11 wet
Jul
88° / 67°
11 wet
Aug
87° / 66°
10 wet
Sep
81° / 59°
8 wet
Oct
72° / 47°
7 wet
Nov
63° / 36°
7 wet
Dec
53° / 30°
8 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Lure 2, NC, 2.5 mi away at 1,040 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Cave is a climbing area in North Carolina, about a mile from the town of Quail Ridge. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Lakeview Area and Rumbling Bald just 0.1 mile away, and Hickory Nutcracker Area at the same distance. The Cave's own routes run from 5.7 to 5.12b, with sport and trad styles, so it works for climbers of different preferences and abilities. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Lake Lure show October highs around 72°F with lows near 47°F, and April is similar at 72°F by day and 44°F at night. That station sits about 576 feet lower than the cave, so temperatures here run a little cooler. The Cave has five routes, including Cave Crack at 5.7 and The Post, a trad climb at 5.11d. Sport climbers can try Bulgus at 5.11c or Blond Svengali at 5.12a.