Linville Gorge Climbing Merit Badge Weekend
May 1-3, 2026

KEY FACTS

  • Departure: Friday, May 1, at 4:00 pm from the Scout hut in Class A uniforms
  • Return: Sunday, May 3, approximately 12:00–1:00 pm to the Scout hut
  • Cost: $130 per person

ABOUT THE TRIP
Get ready to climb! Troop 1 is heading to the spectacular Linville Gorge for a Climbing Merit Badge weekend guided by Rock Dimensions of Boone, NC. Over the weekend, Scouts will receive professional instruction and hands-on experience climbing and rappelling on real rock faces in the North Carolina mountains. Scouts who have already earned the Climbing merit badge are welcome too – they’ll put their skills to work on the climbs and rappels. We’ll be camping at the Grandfather Campground.

THE LOCATION – LINVILLE GORGE
Carved by the Linville River some 2,000 feet below the gorge rim, Linville Gorge Wilderness is part of Pisgah National Forest, located northwest of Morganton in the NC mountains. At 3,500 feet of elevation, it offers breathtaking views, a variety of climbing options, and exciting rappels.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Instruction in knots, harnesses, communication, belaying, and climbing movement. Learning these knots before the trip will maximize time for climbing, belaying, and rappelling.
  • Top-roping on 3-4 climbs, ranging from beginner to intermediate
  • Belaying and backup belaying
  • Rappel instruction: equipment, fireman’s backup belay, and techniques
  • Rappelling on vertical and overhanging rock faces using various rappel devices

MEALS
Plan to cook as if on a backpacking trip – troop stoves and grills will not be brought along. The $130 cost per person includes a Sunday morning lunch stop. Scouts need to provide their own food for two breakfasts, one lunch, and two dinners:

  • Friday – dinner
  • Saturday – breakfast, bag lunch for climbing, & dinner
  • Sunday – breakfast

WHAT TO PACK

  • Hiking clothes, hiking shoes, and socks
  • Outerwear – jacket, gloves, and raingear
  • Water bottle (at least 2 quarts)
  • Food – two breakfasts, one lunch, and two dinners
  • Book bag or day pack to carry your lunch, water, and extra clothing to the climbing site
  • Normal camping gear – tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, flashlight, etc.

REQUIRED FORMS
Rock Dimensions requires a waiver to be signed before the trip. Visit rockdimensions.com and click the green Sign our Waiver tab in the bottom-right corner of the webpage. Then select the Outdoor Trip Waiver, and enter the Trip Date as May 2, 2026, and Group Name as Troop 1.

ADULTS
If you’re an adult interested in joining us, please reach out to Tim Satterfield.

REGISTRATION
Click here to register!