Climbing in Clayton

Together, the community of Triangle Rock Club's state-of-the-art facilities in Morrisville and Raleigh house a combined 39,000 square feet of expertly-crafted indoor climbing fun. In addition to North Carolina's first 55-foot climbing wall built during Morrisville's recent expansion, TRC now boasts the highest climbing gym in a five-state radius. During small-size classes, drop-in sessions, and rock-climbing camps, novice and seasoned climbers alike scale freestanding boulders and rope-in to ascend over slanted surfaces to the top of premier climbing walls. Founded by two former Marines, Triangle Rock Club was also awarded the Pinnacle Business Award in both 2013 and 2014.

Established: 2013 Pro Tip: The best day of your life and bragging rights to say you did it. Q&A with Fred Augustine, Owner What makes your business stand out? The uniqueness of our races. We offer more than just a beer and a medal. What inspired you to start or run this business? I was inspired by other races and wanted to bring this excitement that I felt to the Raleigh area. The feeling of accomplishment that you get when you cross that finish line?words cant do it justice. What is the best reaction you?ve ever gotten from a customer? One woman who is in her 50s that had never done anything like this before said "This was the best day of my life." People's smiles and their tears when they finally cross the finish line and get that medal around their neck is the best thing to watch. What?s your favorite part about your job? Helping people achieve something that they never thought they would do.

For one day, gallons of mud and six waves of screaming, laughing runners fill the scenic grounds of Willow Oaks Plantation in Eden, North Carolina?to give it their all at the Mud and Music Mayhem race on August 16th. This obstacle race pits runners against more than 30 natural and manmade challenges ranging from climbing walls and mud pits to just a pile of stuff that needs leaping over. A post-race party lets everyone celebrate their victories with food, beer, live music, and inflatables.

Progression Climbing sends people scaling to new heights with its rock-climbing equipment and lessons. This bouldering gym seeks to help climbers of all abilities achieve their potential by focusing on freedom of movement, unencumbered by ropes and safety equipment. Its classes range from a beginners' clinic to a power endurance session designed to help climbers overcome obstacles.

For a few centuries, Carver?s Falls was closed to the public, and it's easy to see how much the area benefited from that solitude. The natural beauty of its forests and the waterfall at its heart have flourished. But today, the tree canopy has been transformed into an aerial playground. Wires cross the sky, connecting tree to tree. Every day, ZipQuest's guides lead birds-eye tours of the pristine landscape on their expansive zipline network or via the Swing Shot that pendulums vertiginously above Carver's Creek. Whether the lighting comes from the sun or helmet-mounted lamps, no fewer than two experienced guides lead guests through Carver's Falls' 2.5-hour course. Adventurers fly down eight ziplines?each designed for a long, leisurely glide or an adrenaline-pumping plunge?while pointing out local flora and fauna. Groups pause only to disembark on high platforms anchored to centuries-old trees. Floating spiral staircases and sky bridges, the longest of which stretches 210 feet, interconnect the platforms. A suspension bridge carries explorers over the falls to a penultimate zipline that runs parallel to its creek. At the end of the run, guests catch their breath while looking through the pictures their camera-wielding guide took.

More than 8,000 square feet of space comprise RedPoint, a climbing gym set in a renovated warehouse. Nearly every inch has been set aside for towering climbing walls and exercise equipment to help climbers shore up their skills. Within these confines, a team of instructors is on hand to teach the skills needed to conquer the facility’s tricky bouldering routes. They can also teach the fundamentals of belaying, which will help you to scale any of the more than 30 onsite climbing stations for top roping, lead climbing, or washing windows on the state capitol building. Back at ground level, you can tone your physique on pull-up bars, rowing machines, and Olympic weights as well as in CrossFit classes, which work on building core strength and overall fitness. The facility also hosts various kid-focused activities such as lock-ins, birthday parties, and corporate retreats for mountain goats.