Ian Biles, Staff Writer for The Powderhorn
Boone, NC, and the surrounding areas are full of amazing outdoor rock climbing. 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway are home to a variety of high-quality bouldering, sport, trad, and mixed climbing. Famous spots like Ship Rock and Grandmother Mountain provide a variety of routes for climbers of all skill levels.
Climbing culture in Boone plays a big role in the preservation of these rocks. Locations, routes, and conservancy are all strictly managed by local organizations. These groups work tirelessly to preserve the natural beauty of the rocks, while still maintaining their use as climbing rocks. Local government also plays a role. Avery Watauga and Ashe work with the aforementioned groups to help draft climbing guidelines.