WC100

Carolina Mountain Club Waterfall Challenge

NOTE: All inquiries should be emailed to WC100@carolinamountainclub.org

Introduction:
The Carolina Mountain Club Waterfall Challenge (WC100) was developed in 2008 to encourage hikers to experience the beauty of some of the over 1,500 waterfalls in Western North Carolina, parts of South Carolina and Tennessee. The list has been updated to include more than 100 Waterfalls so participants can choose waterfalls better suited for hiking skill levels. There are a variety of trails from easy to difficult, under 2 miles to over 10 miles. Participants may choose their favorites from this list of 100 waterfalls.

Challenge:
The Carolina Mountain Club Waterfall Challenge (WC100) Waterfall List and application. (List and application updated 2/19/2024) Should you prefer to work from an excel spreadsheet please contact, WC100@carolinamountainclub.org and a copy will be emailed to you. This includes a list of over 100 waterfalls to be visited for recognition. The list includes the name of the waterfall, the geographical location, round trip trail length, and the degree of estimated difficulty and other helpful information.

Waterfall locations and resources:
To help locate these waterfalls, the following references are provided on the Waterfall list. Hike numbers from the Carolina Mountain Club Hike Finder data base; page numbers from North Carolina Waterfalls (2016 - Third Edition), by Kevin Adams; hike numbers from a map Waterfalls of North Carolina (2009) by Outdoor Path Publishing. I highly encourage participants to do other research on the lesser-known and more difficult waterfalls. There are many excellent resources if you Google the falls. In addition, many can be found on AllTrails, Gaia, other GPS applications and You Tube videos. Nat Geo maps are also helpful.

Safety Considerations:  Safety is a major concern when visiting waterfalls. 

• You should not go to the top of a waterfall. You won’t be able to see the waterfall from there. 

• Rocks and vegetation around waterfalls are very slippery, so do not climb up or around waterfalls.

• You should not cross a stream near the top of a waterfall. A slip could result in the current carrying you over the falls.

• Viewing some waterfalls requires bushwhacking off trail, often down and back up steep slopes.

• Know your hiking skills and physical limits.

• Some waterfalls can only be viewed from a distance.

• Be safe.

Recognition:
Documentation of the successful completion of the Waterfall Challenge is based on the honor system. There is no specific time frame for viewing all the waterfalls. You can estimate the date you visited any waterfall, even prior to the initiation of the Waterfall Challenge in 2008. There is no requirement to reach the bottom of each waterfall. Many can only be viewed from a distance.

The completed Waterfall Recognition Application and completed Waterfall List should be e-mailed to:

wc100@carolinamountainclub.org  (J Magura)

Any questions or comments about the Waterfall Challenge should also be directed to the above coordinator. CMC membership is required; paid dues must be current at time of application. You will receive a patch, a certificate of achievement. You can choose to have the certificate and patch mailed or presented at the annual dinner.  Applications for CMC  membership can be obtained on the CMC website.

Waterfall 100 Completers