He has been climbing for over 12 years and teaching in the outdoor industry for 10 years.
Pilot Mountain is not just another North Carolina monadnock (of which there are many). Pilot Mountain State Park’s main road is popular for hill climbing by bicycle.
Only 2,420 feet above sea level, it rises over 1,400 feet above the flatlands around it. - See 11 traveler reviews, 8 candid photos, and great deals for Pilot Mountain, NC, at Tripadvisor. He is from Wintergreen, VA where he grew up climbing and searching for unclimbed rock, ice and adventure. The area offers a little bit of everything with top rope, sport, trad, and nearby multi-pitch climbing. The park’s rocky cliffs offer challenging terrain for rock climbing and rappelling. Traverse those trails by foot, bicycle or horseback. Pilot Mountain, a metamorphic quartzite monadnock rising to a peak 2,421 feet (738 m) above sea level, is one of the most distinctive natural features in the U.S. state of North Carolina.It is a remnant of the ancient chain of Sauratown Mountains.The Saura Indians, the region's earliest known inhabitants, called the mountain "Jomeokee", meaning "great guide". It is the most imposing of all such peaks in the state. The mountain summit remains the principal park area, connected to the Yadkin River section by a 6.5-mile trail corridor. Grant enjoys all types of climbing but favors ice and trad. The variety of terrain makes Pilot an excellent classroom for climbers of all levels. It is recommended that cyclists plan their ride for the early morning hours when there is less vehicle traffic. Please note that bicycling in the area should only be attempted by experienced cyclists wearing proper safety equipment.
The road averages a 10% grade for 2.5 miles and has sections of 16% grades.
Local climber Jeff Dillon has just published a new guide to climbing at Pilot Mountain. Pilot Mountain State Park, just south of town, is home to the mountain that rises more than 2,000 feet in elevation, as well as a 49-site campground and miles of trails.
Climber's Guide Pilot Mountain State Park Jeff Dillon - 2007. The smallest of the crags making up the ancient Sauratown range of mountains, Pilot is easily accessible by car from a beautiful elevated overlook from which you can see Winston-Salem, Greensboro and … Blue Ridge Mountain Guides: Rock Climbing Rocks!
Pilot Mountain Rock Climbing Pilot Mountain is an intimate crag in the Piedmont of NC.
Pilot Mountain, NC is a great all around single pitch climbing crag and is known for its iconic pinnacle. The Yadkin River Canoe Trail flows through the park and is ideal for paddling.
It completely and totally dominates the skyline for dozens of miles in every direction. Purchase this book. Grant serves as the head guide for Blue Ridge Mountain Guides. Rising abruptly more than 2,000 feet, Pilot Mountain has been a navigational landmark for centuries, and is a recreational landmark as well, offering miles of trails, camping, climbing and spectacular scenery. He is as dedicated to teaching as he is to climbing.