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Favorite Metro Atlanta Climbing?

Original Post
Jackson Moody · · Mobe, UT for now · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

Hey!

I just got into climbing a few months ago, and right now I'm a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. It's a great area for climbing. There are alot of great areas within a short drive of campus.

But, I'm from Marietta, GA and I'll be back for a few weeks this winter and then over the summer I'll also be at home. So, I'm looking for some good climbing in the Metro Atlanta area. Right now I just top rope and boulder, hopefully going to learn how to lead, but I know I'm not ready for that yet. Bouldering is definitely my favorite.

I've heard of some people bouldering at Island Ford, and Kennesaw Mountain, but I was also wondering if anyone has ever climbed at places like Roswell Mill, Paper Mill, or Gold branch area. These are some areas right by my house, so it would be great to find some boulders within a 10 minute drive.

So just please let me know what your favorite places to climb around Atlanta are. I know I'm in a great place in NC, but theres just something cool about finding some climbing areas in my hometown.

Also I'd love to go bouldering with any Atlanta climbers when I'm home!

Jon Powell · · LAWRENCEVILLE GEORGIA · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 110

If bouldering is your game then you need to check out Boatrock. You can look it up on the destination page. Allenbrook is right off Roswell road but not very good climbing but you can set up a top rope on 2 or 3 routes. You can make it to Sandrock in Alabama in a bout 2 hours. Pretty easy to set up topropes and there is some decent bouldering. If you are looking for a gym check out Stone Summit. They are located just inside the perimeter and are currently building a new gym is Kennesaw.

Zac St Jules · · New Hampshire · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 1,188

Sounds like allenbrook is close to you. you could probably have a good time bouldering there too. boat rock is sweet but would be a good bit further away

Paul Merchant · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 10

It's unfortunately illegal to climb at Kennesaw Mountain right now.

climetimb · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 0

Boatrock isn't that far from Marietta. Just west of the perimeter on 20. Far superior than any other outdoor bouldering (w/in reasonable distance of Metro ATL) and well worth the trip. Problems for days/weeks. Definitely go there.

Jackson Moody · · Mobe, UT for now · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've definitely looked up some stuff about Boat Rock, and I'll be going there on the weekends. I haven't heard about Allenbrook yet, but that sounds good too. I"ll hopefully have some TR gear by the time I'm home this summer.

Does anyone have any experience with the park rangers at Kennesaw Mountain? I hike there often when I'm home, and I rarely see any rangers out there. I wouldn't want to get a ticket or get anything confiscated, but I do want to try out Kennesaw because it's closer to home.

I'm really looking for some places I can go after work this summer. There's a few places along the Chattahoochee that come to mind, and there may be a few boulders or even some TR routes, but I guess I'll just have to wait and check those out for myself.

Zac St Jules · · New Hampshire · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 1,188

The Palisades are along the river I believe but last I heard, the cliffs were pretty grown in.

Tom Caldwell · · Clemson, S.C. · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 3,623

Stone Summit is the best crag in Atlanta

saxfiend · · Decatur, GA · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 4,221
TomCaldwell wrote:Stone Summit is the best crag in Atlanta
Seriously? You think Stone Summit is better than Allenbrook??

:)

JL
Ryan Watts · · Bishop, CA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 25

Hate to say it but Boat Rock is gonna be pretty miserable in the summer. Heat and humidity do not mix well with granite friction climbing. If it was me, I'd get a membership at stone summit to keep the climbing fitness up and then maybe explore some of those areas around the chattahoochee when you have the time.

Jackson Moody · · Mobe, UT for now · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

Definitely planning on getting a membership at Stone Summit. Their new gym is going to be about 15 mins from my house. And I think it'll be fun getting to explore some new areas along the Chattahoochee.

I'll definitely be making some trips up to Rock Town and Horse Pens 40, maybe even Tallulah if I get into Trad.

Has anyone ever heard of Cloudland Canyon? It's a shame it's closed to rock climbing. It's my favorite state park, and seems like it would have some good climbing.

Paul Merchant · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 10

I have heard of rangers ticketing climbers at Kennesaw. It is a simple access issue. Until it is resolved it will not help the issue. If it means that much to you to climb there I suggest speaking to the park and/or donating to the access fund.

Jim Corbett · · Keene, NY · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 10
Jackson Moody wrote:Definitely planning on getting a membership at Stone Summit. Their new gym is going to be about 15 mins from my house. And I think it'll be fun getting to explore some new areas along the Chattahoochee. I'll definitely be making some trips up to Rock Town and Horse Pens 40, maybe even Tallulah if I get into Trad. Has anyone ever heard of Cloudland Canyon? It's a shame it's closed to rock climbing. It's my favorite state park, and seems like it would have some good climbing.
There's a lot of rock around Cloudland, High Point and Zahn (sp?) plus a whole bunch of stuff not generally known. Of course, pretty much all that is trad. If you explore some place 'new' and find a coin on a ledge or hold on the route, well, that means I've already done it, so don't drill.
Jackson Moody · · Mobe, UT for now · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0
Paul Merchant wrote:I have heard of rangers ticketing climbers at Kennesaw. It is a simple access issue. Until it is resolved it will not help the issue. If it means that much to you to climb there I suggest speaking to the park and/or donating to the access fund.
Thanks for the info, I'll avoid climbing at Kennesaw.
Will Carney · · Tallulah Falls, GA · Joined Aug 2014 · Points: 135

I thinks Stone Summit or Adrenaline would be good places to go on rainy days and to get acquainted with clipping, etc. Summit has a couple cracks as well. I would also encourage you to purchase Chris Watford's "The Dixie Cragger's Atlas". It has a ton of great info and makes for good reading between belays. If you are up this way and would like to get on some moderate routes at Yonah or Currahee look me up. I'd be happy to get you out of the gym.

Jeff Mekolites · · Atlanta, GA · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 5,250

#1. Stone Summit
#2. Boat Rock (especially fall/winter)
#3 and a very distant #3 anything else...don't waste your time. You can get all the pump you need and shred your fingertips at #1 and 2.

Zac St Jules · · New Hampshire · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 1,188

Will Carney,
thats the way. love it.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

A lot of people turn their nose up to Allenbrook, but if you live right there it will still be fun to go climb there. It's dirty and short, but it sure as hell beats sitting in your room doing nothing. Plus, most of the routes can be lead. Boat Rock is great. So is Herbert Green. Definitely harder in the summer, but still worth going to. Tallulah is the best climbing in the state. Also, Escalade is in Kennesaw if you want to check out another gym. Yonah's steeper section of the main face is good learning ground for slab climbing but the bouldering there is hit or miss.

Jon Powell · · LAWRENCEVILLE GEORGIA · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 110

All the locations mentioned are great. Just remember before you get on a rope make sure you are comfortable climbing outdoors. If you are leading make sure you are comfortable cleaning anchors, clipping and you have a safe belayer. If you top rope make sure you are building a solid set up. I would stay away from places like Tallulah. Mostly trad and multi pitch and this is a whole new ball game. As disliked as gyms are on MT you met up with some good climbers and maybe find a mentor. Tagging along, asking questions and just observing is a great way to learn. Most importantly be safe.

gcooksey · · Marietta, Ga · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 15

Jackson,

I'd be happy to show you around allenbrook over your breaks since I will be in Marietta also. I also make frequent trips to crags in the Chattanooga area and you would be welcome to join. I think I've met you before through Walton at any rate. Pm me and I'll give you my number if your interested.

Grant

Jackson Moody · · Mobe, UT for now · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Thanks Will, when I'm home this summer I'll contact you and we can go out.

Allenbrook is right down the road so I'll definitely be trying it out.

And Jon, thank you for the safety reminder. I've always considered myself very safety conscious, and will be sure to take safety precautions before going outside. I've gone outside with several experienced rock climbers here, and some of them are teaching and helping me out with top rope anchoring. I don't know if I'll be leading at all by the time I'm home this summer, but I like to think that I'll at least start doing it in the gym by then. And, like you said Trad and Multipitch I'm still a long way out from, but hopefully one day I'll be climbing Trad.

Grant, small world man. I don't know if I ever met you at Walton, but I think I heard your name around. I'd love to go climbing with you sometime. I'll pm you

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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