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Jamestown


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Submitted By: saxfiend on Jan 7, 2007
Administrators: saxfiend, Brad Killough IV
Latitude: 34.4097  Longitude: -85.5798 
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Please respect surrounding private property. MORE INFO >>>

BETA PHOTO: This drawing shows the road in to the new Jamestow...


Description 

Jamestown is Alabama's surprise gift to trad climbing. Located where the tail end of Lookout Mountain pokes down from Tennessee, Jamestown's sandstone cliffs have a lot in common with some of that state's great crags. And unlike some more popular destinations, Jamestown retains a pristine wilderness flavor, due in large part to its isolated location.

Climbing at Jamestown goes back to 1978, when Rich Gottlieb scouted out the crag on a day too rainy for climbing at Sand Rock. Over the several years, Gottlieb and well-known southern climbers like Chick Holtkamp, Shannon Stegg, Rob Robinson and others established numerous excellent trad lines.

For a long time, Jamestown was one of those semi-secret destinations, known and climbed by only the chosen few. But even the chosen few got shut out in the early 90s when a local property owner who claimed ownership over the crag forbade climbing there. All that changed in 2005, when the Southeastern Climbers Coalition did some research and found the real owner of the cliffline. A deal was worked out and Jamestown was sold to the SCC, reopening climbing there for the first time since 1993.

With a few notable exceptions, Jamestown is a trad climbing area. No bolting is allowed without express approval by the SCC. It's also worth noting that the cliff is prone to water seepage, which makes large sections slick and wet for a week or more after any rainfall.


Getting There 

From Atlanta, head north on I-75 to the Rome exit (Hwy. 411/20, exit 290). Continue through Rome on GA 20 and into Alabama; about five miles past the border, turn right (north) on SR 35. Proceed on 35 past the intersection with Hwy. 68, then watch for the next major crossing, county roads 273 and 15 (you'll see a derelict gas station/convenience store at this corner).

Turn right on CR 15 and continue for about three miles. After passing a cemetery on the left, watch for a gravel turnoff on the left with a small street number sign (3147). Turn left here and follow this dirt/gravel road past an old stone dam on the left and through the woods until you reach a clearing for farm pasture on the left.

Look for a turnoff on the right and turn here, following the track through a pasture and back into the woods. Continue until this intersects with a well-defined farm road that follows the power lines. Turn left here and finish at a dirt parking area at the base of the power lines. Hike up the powerline trail and watch for flagging with surveyor's tape to indicate where the trail cuts left into the woods. Follow the flagged trail up to the cliff and turn left at the SCC kiosk.

NOTE: The old access trail from the top of the cliff is permanently closed. Do not use this trail or you'll be trespassing.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Jamestown:
Yum Yum Tree   5.7+     Trad, 1 pitch, 120 feet   Harvest Wall
Truth or Consequences   5.8     Trad, 1 pitch, 100 feet   Harvest Wall
Pumpkin Patches   5.9+     Trad, 1 pitch, 90 feet   Harvest Wall
Cinnamon Girl   5.10     Trad, 80 feet   Winter Wall
Browse More Classics in Jamestown

Featured Route For Jamestown
Nearing halfway on Yum Yum Tree

Yum Yum Tree 5.7+  AL : 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]   Browse More Classics in AL


Photos of Jamestown Slideshow Add Photo
The view from atop Jamestown on one very hot and humid July day.

The view from atop Jamestown on one very hot and h...

The awesome freestanding pillar at Jamestown.  If you climb it a girl will lick your armpit.

The awesome freestanding pillar at Jamestown. If ...

Jesse Guthrie on pitbull Photo Roy Simmons

Jesse Guthrie on pitbull Photo Roy Simmons


Comments on Jamestown Add Comment
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By Jeff Mekolites
From: HOTlanta, GA
Apr 15, 2007

Heard some great and funny stories about the development of Jamestown from Rich Gottlieb while visiting the Gunks and his shop Rock and Snow in New Paltz...if you're in the shop introduce yourself...he loves to talk.

By R Squared
Jul 29, 2007

This place was a blast in late July. It was super hot and even more humid. This place would be off the chain in the fall and winter months.

By Amy Denicke
From: Marietta, GA
Jul 13, 2008

First time at this area!! I love it!!