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Alabama

  
Submitted By: saxfiend on Jan 5, 2007
Administrators: saxfiend, Stonyman61
Latitude: 33.7609  Longitude: -86.8799 
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Brad Killough on Oyster 5.10 a


Description 

It may not be the first place you think of as a climbing destination, but Alabama has some excellent crags to choose from, most within a two-hour drive of Atlanta or Birmingham.

Climbing in Alabama is mostly sandstone. The Cumberland Plateau, which hosts the great sandstone cliffs of Tennessee, extends into northern Alabama. Areas like Jamestown are similar to T-Wall and Sunset in Chattanooga, though the cliffs are not as tall. Other areas like Sand Rock, by contrast, tend toward sandstone with a fair amount of conglomerate mixed in.

For trad climbers, Jamestown is the top destination, with numerous excellent lines. Areas like Sand Rock and Griffin Falls have a mix of sport and trad, while Palisades Park is a great place for setting up easy to moderate topropes. Boulderers can enjoy the great problems of Horse Pens 40 and Moss Rock Preserve.

Because many of Alabama's destinations are on private land, access has been a perennial problem. While there are some areas that have been closed with little hope of ever reopening, Jamestown is a special success story. In 2005, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition purchased the land that includes the Jamestown cliffline, reopening the area to legal climbing for the first time in 12 years. With luck, other off-limits areas can be reopened with similar tactics.


Getting There 

See individual climbing areas for specific directions.



News and Events For Alabama


Featured Route For Alabama
Nearing halfway on Yum Yum Tree

Yum Yum Tree 5.7+  Alabama : Jamestown : Harvest Wall
Even if you're at a higher level, Yum Yum Tree is a gas to lead. The rock quality is first-rate and the protection is good. Must-do!From the trail, climb a somewhat thin face to a well-defined horizontal crack, which doubles as your first good pro opportunity and a good stance. Follow a nice easy corner up the face, moving through an almost chimney-like feature near the top....[more]


Add Photo Photos of Alabama
Brad Killough, doing what he does at most comps. Judge & spot.

Brad Killough, doing what he does at most comps. J...

Denmark Blount maintains intense focus on his footwork as he leads Wild Iris.

Denmark Blount maintains intense focus on his foot...

Liz redpointing The Wasp, V3, Horse Pens 40.

Liz redpointing The Wasp, V3, Horse Pens 40.

Butter on Bread, V1, HP40

Butter on Bread, V1, HP40

High Life, V5, HP40

High Life, V5, HP40

Katrenis on Millipede,  HP40

Katrenis on Millipede, HP40

SWIRL, HP 40

SWIRL, HP 40

MONOPOLY, 5.9, Steele, Al

MONOPOLY, 5.9, Steele, Al

T.W. on DEAD RECKONING, 5.10a

T.W. on DEAD RECKONING, 5.10a

T.W. on DEAD RECKONING, 5.10a

T.W. on DEAD RECKONING, 5.10a

hope that gri gri checks out

hope that gri gri checks out

The crew at Sand Rock!

The crew at Sand Rock!

Nice trad, past Fiath.

Nice trad, past Fiath.