The Obed in East Tennessee - Video

Here's a video I put together of a trip I had over labor day weekend. Took about 10 people out to the Obed in east Tennessee (about an hour west of Knoxville if you know the area). Most of them were new to climbing. We stayed at Del and Marte's for three nights and spent time climbing, hiking, drinking, and swimming - not necessarily in that order. There's not a whole lot of climbing featured in the video but you may enjoy it regardless; especially if you're familiar with the area.

Watch it in HD - everything was shot in 720

youtube.com/watch?v=dh72DaE…

My sister lives in Knoxville and I was thinking of visiting Obed when I go down to see her next year.

I'm not able to watch the video at work, but I'd love to hear your general impression. I'm aware of there being a guidebook but that's something I would pick up later on. Thanks!

Yea man I would definitely hit up the Obed if you are in Knoxville. There are some beautiful walls there and a good number of them too. The south clear is a pretty busy area with some good climbing and a wide range of grades. If you're doing an overnight or two stay at Del and Marte's "Lilly Pad". Its a cool place to camp and sit around the fire shooting the shit. It's only $5 a night I think and you should be able to buy a guide book there if they aren't sold out.

Nice Video.

Slightly off topic, how are the winters at obed? (on an average year), Is it warm enough to climb? Does it stay busy enough to find partners?

Thanks

By "being busy" he means that you might run into about 6 other people at South Clear. I love The Obed. I first went there in '98 and its been one of the top three places I've ever climbed along with the New River and Red River Gorge. People always ask which is the best b/n the NRG and the RRG, but I always say between those two and The Obed it's always been a toss up. All three are unique. There's just nothing steeper than The Stephen King library and Solstice. You actually lose elevation at one point climbing out a dead horizontal roof for 40-ft.

And Dale and Marty are the greatest camp hosts that ever lived. Who else has an Easter egg hunt for the kids and a beer hunt for the adults on Easter waiting for you after a pancake breakfast they just cooked for everyone staying on their camp ground?

johnthethird wrote:Nice Video. Slightly off topic, how are the winters at obed? (on an average year), Is it warm enough to climb? Does it stay busy enough to find partners? Thanks

You can climb in the dead of winter easily especially South Clear and Tierrany Roofs. I wouldn't count on hooking up with partners though. I've been there plenty of times and I've been the only one there. It's just not a huge climbing scene at the Obed compared to the Red, or the New. You may get lucky and find someone on the weekends, but be prepared to bring a bouldering pad on the weekdays b/c you might be the only one there.

For winter climbing, T-Wall in Chattanooga is a little better due to it being south facing. Trad only, though.

Great video. Looking forward to visiting there. Thanks!

CraigS. wrote: Trad only, though.

Not true.

Just don't tell anyone.

Cool video, thanks for sharing.

: )

I'm trying to get out there this summer. I'm going to be moving back to Indiana for a short while and will be checking out the Red and hopefully the walls in TN while I'm there.

Cheers,

Andy