Red Rock Climbing Info in Northwestern Alabama

I was wondering if anyone has climbed in this area before? It is nearest Tuscumbia, Al. I am considering trying to meet with landowners to open up some areas to climbing. I guess my main concern is trying to focus my efforts to the areas which boast the better climbing this area has to offer. The area I have climbed before has plenty of bolted routes and anchor points but they are just old and in need of replacement. This area would be great for sport climbing and toprope as well. There are several other areas which I have not been to along the clifflines that might have better climbing and easier access issues. I would really like any history on the area anyone can offer. We are very limited to climbing opportunities in this corner of the state so it is vital to keeping climbing alive in the area or at least my sanity. Thanks

Are you talking about the main Red Rock formation or the area nearby?

I'm talking about either one. I'm just trying to find out which area would be better to start talking to owners about access.

Ive climbed there with a couple of buds, but it is dangerous during winter, deer hunting around the base. Don't know any of the land owners. The rock is really nice. a couple of nice trad lines also. Good luck.

post pictures.....i don't know about this one....is it worth it? Have you climbed at many other high quality areas in the SE? How does this one stack up?

The Red Rock formation I've been to is short and has only a handful of decent routes. Its a neat geologic formation and it'd be nice to see it protected somehow, but it's not a climbing destination by any means.

Any rock on this side of the state is a destination. Can you believe that I have driven to Mississippi to go rock climbing? Thats how low the quantity of climbs are around here. The quality of the rock at red rock is good in my opinion and lacks conglomerate like sandrock, but like you mentioned it is the quanity I am searching for in the given area. So if there is an area closer by that has more climbs I will focus attention there in order to get more people to the area. I have pulled up some Colbert county tax maps and I am trying to get in contact with the persons who own the property. Hopefully, I will have luck with the people who have property that borders this property but we shall see.

I will post some pictures of this area soon but it is currently off limits to climbing so I wouldn't want to entice too many folks.

There is allways Yellow Bluff, close to where I live.

Yep, been there & done it!

Yep, that's the place...quality rock, but smaller than it looks in the photos.
I lived in Florence for about 5 years, moved away in 1990. Explored a lot of that region for climbing and mtn biking. Lots of privately owned land, some of which was used discreetly for biking, hiking, climbing without any issues. Got the OK from one landowner and had a "miscommunication" with another that resulted in an encounter with a young man equipped with a shotgun and an agressive attitude. We got by without incident that time. Be careful out there.

BTW - Did you find any old bolts or fixed pins at LaGrange?

Yea I found one old rusty bolt but that was the only one I found. The routes that I saw up at red rock only appear to be in the 30-40ft range. The area was once well climbed judging from all the old hardware. Someone went back and put some new petzl hangers on some rusty bolts but it does not look safe at all.

We didn't bolt anything at Red Rock and I don't remember seeing more than a couple of fixed anchors there, but that was late 80's.

We did that Parlez Vous Redneck route at LaGrange, think it was one bolt, one fixed pin, and some cams. It seemed like the most obvious line on the tallest part of the wall.

There's another place, but I shouldn't talk about it online, maybe I can reach one of my old climbing partners and get a status update. Joe K. are you out there?

This area is closed. The landowners who are there have made it explicitly clear that they do not want any climbing on this land whatsoever.

Paul, I know there has to be some other climbs in the area. Do you know of any worth researching for possible future climbing opportunities?

Unfortunately no...not in that area. You do have Yellow Bluff that is now street legal, at least the right side. It is a little bit of an extra drive but at least it is there.

Well worth the drive!!