In reply to Paz:
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> "Whitesides Mountain, North Carolina -- Volunteer Wall (VI 5.10, A4-, or 5.12a). Whitesides is the crown jewel of southern rock. This routeoffers atmospheric ambiance on steep granite. A Climber's Guide to NorthCarolina, by Thomas Kelley."
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> Looks well cool. I can't have been the only one pondering the grade...
The "Original Route" goes at 5.11a or 5.10 A0. It's about ten pitches, with a short 5.11 section (that has bolts every 4 feet) and a short 5.10 section. The rest is 5.8 or easier. For most leaders, the crux is the first pitch. It's 100' of 5.7 slab, with the only pro being a single rusty bolt about 70' up.