Looking for rain/conditions info on TN/GA/AL areas in March

So my friend and I have been planning on a trip down to these 3 states for bouldering in March. We took days off work already and were planning on 3/13-3/20 or 3/21

I checked monthly averages for precipitation and it turns out March has the most precipitation of the year at 6.5" per month. Also checked the farmer's almanac website (which does seem sketchy...) and they said:

Mar 10-14: Rainy, cool; Mar 15-23: Showers, cool;

We were looking to climb in the Dual Duel competition at the Hospital Boulders(3/14), HP40, Rocktown, and maybe LRC/Stone Fort.

Should we trust the almanac and reschedule our trip? Does the rock need multiple days to dry or just a sunny morning?

Its a 17 hour drive for us so any info would be GREATLY appreciated!

In chattanooga rain is very typical in mid-late march but more so in late march. a lot of times it's too cold to rain in early/mid march. that being said, for stone fort, you'll want it to be 100% dry because it's mostly slab climbing. if you don't want to move around dates and it is wet, little river canyon is virtually always dry, although thats sport climbing not bouldering.

You'll be fine. This is a region where you just have to not look at the weather and go for it. Case in point: all week the weather for this weekend looked like a wash. Now it's looking like 50% chance saturday and partly cloudy sunday. The weather changes on a dime.

It also helps to come for a longer duration, which you are. Little Rock City dries really fast, as the rock isn't very porous...the "slabs" mentioned dry the fastest actually...as they are the most exposed. I'd also recommend bringing sport climbing gear just in case. There are a lot of amazing options for route climbing here...many that never get wet in rain.

Early spring in the Southeast. It could rain everyday or not at all, and it could be 70 degrees or 40. You really just have to wait until closer to the trip and check the forecast. I would however look for a more scientific resource than the Farmers Almanac. In the spring I usually plan trips weeks ahead, but am always ready to pull the plug if the forecast looks bad. The comment above "You will be fine" seems a little optimistic. For me, I am not driving 17 hours to get rained out for a week. I dont get to make nearly as many climbing trips as I would like, and I have to make them count. Hope it works out for you guys.

I agree with previous posts, you just can't tell. I decide on the drive where I'm going for the day. Rock dries in roughly 12 hours though, and the sandstone here is much harder than out west, so it will not likely break. In my experience, the most reliable weather forecast is weather underground followed by noaa. I strongly recommend bringing at least a sport rack, if not full trad. If you bring a sport rack you have multiple options for 100% guaranteed dry rock.

Bouldering:

Best option: Dayton Roof - 75% guaranteed dry rock. It will seep though.

2nd best option: Rocktown - 30% likely dry rock. There are a lot of roofs.

3rd best option: Horsepens - typically just doesn't get as much rain

Sport:

Best option: Little River Canyon - 100% guaranteed dry rock. Tourist wall is always dry on most climbs. Though, most of the climbs are stiff 5.11-13.

Second Best option Obed - 70% likelihood of dry rock. Stephen king library and North Clear are your best bets.

Third: Red River Gorge - 100% guaranteed dry rock in all grade levels. It's just a bit of a drive.

Hope that helps!!

Thanks everybody for the info! Sounds like it is similar to VT, where I live.

I was definitely considering Dayton if it rains so much we need to climb on one of the rain days.

Also glad to hear the rock drys quick and is hard. I have heard about the brittle sandstone out west that acts like a sponge and holds water despite looking dry.

forgot to mention: even if the rock is wet, the sandstone doesn't get too sandy (out west, sandstone slabs are virtually unclimbable even 1-2days after it stops raining). i've climbed many routes at T-wall where it can be wet at the time, and you often can't tell, at that distance, if its dry. the holds will be colder, it won't be too terribly slippery. would second the recommendation on bringing sport gear. 10-12 draws should enough for most sport climbs. if possible, though, bring maybe a couple alpine draws instead of sport draws incase you need to build and/or extend an anchor.

The rock in this region dries slower than any other area of the country that I have climbed (never climbed in the Northeast though!). I think that the statement that "the rock dries roughly in 12 hours" needs some qualifiers. If the weather turns clear, the rock is in the sun, there's a breeze, and the boulders don't have dirt/flora on top then the rock can dry overnight. But if the weather is humid, cloudy or the problem is in the shade it could be wet for days. Hopefully the leaves won't be back yet which could help your cause.

Also, watch out for weather patterns that bring large temperature changes. Even if it hasn't rained for days and the routes are overhung, the presence of warm, humid air on cold rock can cause soaking condensation to form. I've been skunked multiple times at the Obed and RRG due to this phenomenon.

In my experience locations with some relative elevation (like LRC & Rocktown boulders) dry out much quicker than climbs in 'canyon' areas like the Obed.

If it rains and you can warm up on steep 5.11, bring your sport gear and climb at the RRG, Obed, NRG or a steep Chattanooga crag like Deep Creek.

If you really want to be prepared, bring a kayak! That way you can't possibly get shutdown.

It is a craphshoot, and you could definitely end up with a week of glorious Spring weather. If you are willing to be flexible with climbing areas and would be OK with getting rained out half the days of your trip then I would go for it!

"Deep Creek"

Don't even consider going here in March. You'll find nothing but soaking wet headwalls.

With in an hour and a half:

Obed - Tierrany Wall, will be dry, always.
Twall - You will find dry routes there, always.
Castle Rock - exposed and south facing, dries really fast (predator wall at least)
Fosters - White wall and bunkers will for the most part be dry.

The Canyon - Lizard wall, doesn't get wet, vert wall capped by a flat roof that protects it.

This obviously doesn't take into account the condensation phenomenon. Spikes in temp preceded by cold air always makes for soaked cliff. Sucks...but that's the SE...and possible for March.

Good luck.

eddysamson wrote:Also checked the farmer's almanac website (which does seem sketchy...) and they said: Mar 10-14: Rainy, cool; Mar 15-23: Showers, cool; We were looking to climb in the Dual Duel competition at the Hospital Boulders(3/14), HP40, Rocktown, and maybe LRC/Stone Fort. Should we trust the almanac and reschedule our trip?

You realize the Farmer's Almanac is correct less than 50% of the time, yes?

Marc801 wrote: You realize the Farmer's Almanac is correct less than 50% of the time, yes?

Yeah I know its sketchy but there's nothing else with weather predictions for 3 weeks from now.

Marc801 wrote: You realize the Farmer's Almanac is correct less than 50% of the time, yes?

How can it be correct less than 50% of the time.. its either going to rain or not. 50-50. ;)

eddysamson wrote: Yeah I know its sketchy but there's nothing else with weather predictions for 3 weeks from now.

No weather prediction more than 5 days out is accurate enough for trip planning or making a go/no-go decision.

Nick Metzger wrote: How can it be correct less than 50% of the time.. its either going to rain or not. 50-50. ;)

Their best accuracy is random chance, or 50%. Since they predict rain or no rain on specific date ranges, they can be wrong more times than right. Overall they're about 50% but some years have been lower than 40%.

Also, are we talking about the Farmer's Almanac or the Old Farmer's Almanac - two competing publications with different ownership?

The "wink" in the earlier post was geared towards signifying it as a joke. heh

SW Corner of Whitesides.
Several compelling routes all sheltered by one of the biggest roofs around.

If you are interested in sport climbing, there are a lot of places at the Obed that I've climbed at just after lots of rain and during lots of rain. The inner circle at North clear, tierrany, the steep climbs at Y12, and most climbs at south clear stay dry.

I second the Obed comment. You can climb in North Clear and a few other crags in pouring rain and (besides the hike) stay totally dry.

Although probably not necessary to post here, I went to the T-Wall on Tuesday after it snowed all night monday and was even snowing while I was there and got on "Run with the Horsemen" and it was bone dry. Btw, fantastic route!! Huge roof protects the route. I also got on a Turn of the Page a while late and it was mostly dry, even though it is face climb with no roof. Guess just the heat and wind of the wall or something. The T Wall is amazing!!

The weather is looking much better 3/14 through 3/18 so I think we're on for our trip.

Only problem I am seeing now is the 3-5 days of rain leading up to 3/14. Can anyone tell me how HP40, Rocktown, Stone Fort/LRC (and any other good local bouldering areas) are after multiple days of rain? I am concerned with mud and shaded, slow-drying boulders mostly. Will things be too soggy Saturday but okay Sunday? Still too soggy Sunday and wait til Monday?

Will Obed be fine Saturday? Thinking about that and starting our bouldering Sunday after things dry out Saturday.

eddysamson wrote:The weather is looking much better 3/14 through 3/18 so I think we're on for our trip. Only problem I am seeing now is the 3-5 days of rain leading up to 3/14. Can anyone tell me how HP40, Rocktown, Stone Fort/LRC (and any other good local bouldering areas) are after multiple days of rain? I am concerned with mud and shaded, slow-drying boulders mostly. Will things be too soggy Saturday but okay Sunday? Still too soggy Sunday and wait til Monday? Will Obed be fine Saturday? Thinking about that and starting our bouldering Sunday after things dry out Saturday.

Saturday's a wash if the forecast stays as is. Rain late into the night Friday with lows not much below the high for the day = lots of moisture in the air, likely soaking cliffs and boulders...clouds/fog in the AM and "possible" clearing later in the day.