Alabama in the summer? Gotta climb something!!!

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 27 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
OlympicMtnBoy

climber
Seattle
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 28, 2014 - 06:33pm PT
So I'm here in Anniston for work for a couple months and I really need to get my climbing fix! I know, it's f'ing hot, but I wanna climb something, anything!

Anyone in the area?

Work stranded me here without a car but I might be able to rent one if needed for a weekend. I was only able to bring my harness/shoes/helmet with me so we'll need to use your rack/rope.

Show an out of towner around and I'll buy the beer!! Or just point me in the right direction!
Crazy Bat

Sport climber
Birmingham, AL & Seweanee, TN
Jul 28, 2014 - 07:22pm PT
One of the best area's close to you is Cherokee Rocks: http://www.roamschool.com/Alabama/cherokee.html

You are also close to Horsepens 40, Just bouldering and best in cold but still good. Climbers hand here all year so it may be a good place to meet and greet: http://horsepens40.tripod.com/

Then there is Little River Canyon. Best to Contact the Southeastern Climbers Coalition as there is no guidebook. http://www.seclimbers.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=51

If you are willing to drive there is Pigeon Mountain, Tennessee Wall and Sunset Rock in the Chattanooga area.

Pm me if you find no joy. I'm a belaying bitch. I have the car but my only rope is static.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 28, 2014 - 07:42pm PT
Billy Bob and Cousin Festus are jess dyin' to show y'all around.
snakefoot

climber
cali
Jul 29, 2014 - 09:28am PT
cherokee area (aka sandrock) has solid sandstone climbing (overhung) that will keep you busy if you can get there. nice views and camping from what i remember back in the late 90's. it can be littered with trash if the usual rednecks show up and did have some lame graffiti here and there. maybe things have changed though, been a while.
jgill

Boulder climber
Colorado
Jul 29, 2014 - 10:58am PT
Good luck. I did a little climbing in Alabama in 1962 when I was at the U of A and summer was miserable. Hurricane Beach, north of Tuscaloosa, and Shades Mountain in Birmingham. In the fall after it cooled off I visited Desoto Canyon. No one had climbed in any of these spots before that, to my knowledge. I knew one other climber in the state - a geology prof at U of A who I had met in the Tetons.

micronut

Trad climber
Fresno/Clovis, ca
Jul 29, 2014 - 11:13am PT
I went to Auburn University in the 1990's. Sandrock is right near you. Definitely go check it out. Even if you don't have a partner, take your shoes and go wander around. Its a neat place.


Misty. 10b maybe?
Crazy Bat

Sport climber
Birmingham, AL & Seweanee, TN
Jul 29, 2014 - 10:41pm PT
Good luck finding Desoto Canyon. Easy to get confused. It is actually Little River Canyon, Now a National Park sort of thing, but it used to be part of Desoto State Park. There are now a lot of rock climbers using it, but no one has put out a guide book.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Jul 29, 2014 - 10:44pm PT
This feels like peeling back the veil. What other pics of Alabama goodness do ya'll have?
Crazy Bat

Sport climber
Birmingham, AL & Seweanee, TN
Jul 30, 2014 - 01:51am PT
If you saw the movie "Failure to Launch" you saw Sandrock aka Cherokee Rock. Great climbing, great bouldering, great views, great camping, great hiking and facinating places between the rocks.
Crazy Bat

Sport climber
Birmingham, AL & Seweanee, TN
Jul 31, 2014 - 06:27pm PT
Damn! Forgot all about Mt Cheaha.
Pappy

Ice climber
Warren, VT
Jul 31, 2014 - 06:47pm PT
summer blows for climbing in the south, a major reason I left. The passage ways between the formations at Sandrock are about the best, in the shade and the close quarters means you're feeling the cool of the rock. the passage behind Misty for example has several trad and sport routes and stays pretty darn cool. Sunset was the go to sandstone area back in the day since it faces northwest. otherwise it was pretty much fuggadaboutit, head to NC. for example I climbed once at Palisades in July and fortunately was not packing or I would have put a bullet in my head to escape the misery. although this year is cool enough that maybe stuff is tolerable.
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
Jul 31, 2014 - 07:12pm PT
Is there a guidebook to Sandrock, or AL in general?
Chiloe

Trad climber
Lee, NH
Aug 1, 2014 - 07:54am PT
Thanks, I'll look that up.
snakefoot

climber
cali
Aug 1, 2014 - 07:57am PT
^^^agreed, the dixie crag guide covers many lesser known areas and most of them have some great routes
OlympicMtnBoy

climber
Seattle
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 6, 2014 - 06:33am PT
Hey thanks for the great response and a bit of cool history!

I managed to get out to the Hospital Boulders in Gadsden last week for a short evening session with a guy from mountainproject. Even though I don't boulder much there was some fun stuff and it was worth the 45 minute drive to climb for an hour before dark.

Hopefully this Sunday I can find a car and get up to Sand Rock or something. I may have to get over my reluctance to use chalk though, damn the heat!

Pick me up if you are headed through Anniston!
Crazy Bat

Sport climber
Birmingham, AL & Seweanee, TN
Aug 6, 2014 - 01:06pm PT
Let me know if you want to get underground. I can make that happen.
goatboy smellz

climber
लघिमा
Aug 6, 2014 - 02:01pm PT
If you're still around in October we usually head to Tennessee Wall, Stone Fort or Horse Pens almost every weekend. Right now with 80% humidity and 95° we stick to the beach for sailing and fishing. You're welcome to come down to Pensacola Beach for a break from the heat if needed.
OlympicMtnBoy

climber
Seattle
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 11, 2014 - 05:29am PT
Crazy Bat, I sent you an email. I'm free next weekend unless I get out climbing!
Flip Flop

Trad climber
Truckee, CA
Aug 11, 2014 - 07:02am PT
Climb out of yer Lincoln Continental into your power scooter for a spin through the mall. Get y'all a couple dozen Krystal Burgers and a Chick-fil-a lemonade to tide you over until supper at the Huddle House.
Climbing in Alabama in August is like wrastlin' Bubba's in a pond of sweat.
Hee Haw.
Flip Flop

Trad climber
Truckee, CA
Aug 11, 2014 - 07:14am PT
Best. Show. Ever!
http://youtu.be/4gw0fxuIvBM
Messages 1 - 20 of total 27 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta