Gear stolen at T Wall

My friends car was broken into in the parking lot at t wall today. Whoever broke in took a bunch of stuff that wasnt climbing related, but they also took climbing gear and prioritized the more expensive items. Based on what was taken, it was likely other climbers or somsomeone with a decent knowledge of climbing gear.

Gear taken:
A full rack of mostly black diamond gear, the cams were the generation of c4s before the thumbloop.
a bunch of black diamond freewire quickdraws
a bd crag hoody, color blue, size mens medium

Additionally a wallet and many personal items were taken. If you see iaed gear for sale anywhere that sounds like this, or if you happend to be around t wall today and have any useful info, you can email me at

Bagreen@climbnashville.com

Thanks,

Blake

Awwww man that sucks! Sorry to hear that this happened...again. I'll keep an eye and ear out.

In the future, if anybody wants to leave valuables at my apartment in North Chattanooga, that'd be fine. I'm near Red Bank, about 15-20 mins to the TWall parking. Or maybe the Crash Pad has luggage storage.(?) Somebody once told me to leave the car empty at TWall and roll all the windows down. I know it's hard for people traveling to do this.

Any more info on the break in? I'm guessing they used a rock to break a window? Was a police report filed? Hope you get your gear back and these fu*kers get caught.

Could've been climbers like you think, a very famous, seasoned climber once said that the climbing population is just like the rest of the population. Filled with thieves, a**holes, criminals and everything else. Could've been drunk redneck kids too, they are bored with nothing to do.

Thats pretty weak!

That sucks. Unfortunately it's pretty common knowledge that this stuff happens and that one should never leave valuables in plain sight or even in the car.

Is that camper still parked in the lot? Those two dudes didn't look like they were up to any good.

I had my vehicle broken into at the T-Wall back in the mid nineties during my one and only trip there. They wrenched out the passenger side window to unlock the door. Didn't break the window which was good. They only stole my big cams that I didn't want to lug up to the cliff that day. I remember the first thing I thought was that a climber had stole my stuff. Seems liked the logical conclusion. I know these days there is a big problem with tweekers in Tennessee that like to pilfer stuff like climbing gear, kayaks, etc. It's too bad too, the T-Wall is an awesome climbing destination. You have to wonder why the break ins at the parking lot have been going on for such a long time now with nothing being done about it. I've been climbing for more than 25 yrs and that was the only time I had my vehicle broken into during a climbing trip.

Ed Wade wrote:. You have to wonder why the break ins at the parking lot have been going on for such a long time now with nothing being done about it. I've been climbing for more than 25 yrs and that was the only time I had my vehicle broken into during a climbing trip.

And what exactly is there to be done about it.

Four days before this incident, at a housing project about ten miles away from the T-Wall parking lot, a young mother and her baby were caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting.

In the four years since I moved away from Chattanooga, the rise of street gangs, predominately the "Gangster Disciples" has turned the inner city of Chattanooga into a the type of war zone that one would more associate with South Central Los Angeles than a sleepy, Southern town in the buckle of the Bible Belt. The local police departments are stagnant and unequipped to insure the safety of two year old children while they sleep in their cribs. While local government continually chases it's tail trying to find some magical gimmick to halt the rising violence.

This is an area where, by and large, local police were trained to do a job that involved writing speeding tickets, not intervening in a gang war.

In light of that, how can we realistically expect law enforcement to help protect the belongings of climbers when they can't even protect the lives of children?

And so then what? Stone Nude, your insinuation that vigilantism is somehow the answer is downright insulting to Chattanooga climbers effected by this issue. Your "solution" simply perpetuates a cycle of violence and fear, and is more than a little bit iffy from a legal standpoint.

As has been stated, this is a decades-long issue. And no matter how much we complain about it and bemoan it's existence, nothing has or will change. And as much as I sympathize with the effected climbers, the fault goes no further than themselves. The issue is well documented, and so if you're leaving valuables in your vehicle, you can't blame anyone but yourself when they're stolen.

You may say "well, that's fine and dandy for locals, but what about folks who are on a road trip to T-Wall?" To that I would say, okay great, I understand, it's a problem. However it isn't one without an easy solution. Rather than leaving valuables protected by nothing more than the glass windows of your car, plan ahead and invest in a lock-box for your most valuable items. Secure them within before hiking up to the crag and leave your car unlocked or and/or with the windows down.

Another option would be to simply not camp at the T-Wall parking lot. Now, Chattanooga doesn't have a plethora of camping options, however, the guys at the Crash Pad maintain an excellent hostel catered to traveling outdoor enthusiasts and offer a safe place to leave your things as you climb. And if the nightly rate for the crash pad isn't in your budget, then take an extra fifteen minutes and drive up Suck Creek Canyon to the campsites available within the Prentice Cooper Wildlife Management Area. That extra bit of driving gives you a much safer and more secluded camping option on a budget.

The final solution I can think of is that it wouldn't be all that difficult to raise the money to purchase and install a few wildlife viewing cameras in and around the T-Wall parking lot to aid in the prosecution of thieves. As I've learned from a friend's recent dealings with local detectives, the only way that you're going to get a successful resolution to an incident of theft is to do your own detective work. After a few successful prosecutions, the word may get out that the parking lot isn't such easy pickings.

Sucks, sorry to hear about that. Unfortunately T-wall is in the middle of tweaker country so it's best not to leave anything in the car, and if you must, make sure it's out of sight. Maybe we should get some of the local rednecks to start climbing and have them clean up the area with their hunting rifles.

I disagree with the assessment that chattanooga is a war zone of gang violence. Yes there has been an increase in gang activity but the city has also grown significantly in the past years and it's still safe an peaceful place to live. As a young female I still feel safe walking downtown at night.
I would guarantee that the thefts at TWall are not being done by gang members from the inner city. TWall is well known as a popular climbing spot, and anyone familiar with that specific hike knows that the approach puts climbers out of site & hearing of their vehicles. Short story, climbers stuff is conspicuous & easy pickings for any redneck meth head looking for some quick income.

Sorry to OP that your stuff got stolen! I passed your post onto a friend of my that owns a consignment outdoor shop. She wouldn't buy/sell used gear, but can keep an eye out for it if someone tries to sell it.

Sorry to hear about your friend's car. I was there climbing with some friends yesterday. We arrived around 9:45am and got back down to the parking lot a little bit before dark. The only unusual character we saw was the guy in camo in the morning, who apparently was associated with the trailer.

Camo guy talked to our friend and some other folks in the parking lot. Apparently he said he lives right down the road, and they're just hanging out doing some camping and stuff. That's what I heard anyway. Other than the trailer-related stuff (which has been there for more than a week now), I didn't notice anything unusual while we were there.

sharyl wrote:I disagree with the assessment that chattanooga is a war zone of gang violence. Yes there has been an increase in gang activity but the city has also grown significantly in the past years and it's still safe an peaceful place to live. As a young female I still feel safe walking downtown at night. I would guarantee that the thefts at TWall are not being done by gang members from the inner city. TWall is well known as a popular climbing spot, and anyone familiar with that specific hike knows that the approach puts climbers out of site & hearing of their vehicles. Short story, climbers stuff is conspicuous & easy pickings for any redneck meth head looking for some quick income. Sorry to OP that your stuff got stolen! I passed your post onto a friend of my that owns a consignment outdoor shop. She wouldn't buy/sell used gear, but can keep an eye out for it if someone tries to sell it.

You missed my point.

Completely.

I don't think you read over 25% of what I said. But I appreciate you're opinion.

The Blueprint Part Dank wrote: You missed my point. Completely. I don't think you read over 25% of what I said. But I appreciate you're opinion.

your word choice puts emphasis on the gang violence. maybe choose your words better? Also, chattanooga is nowhere near this "type of war zone that one would more associate with South Central Los Angeles". I don't know what you were smoking while you were here but it must've been really good. I've lived here for 18 years and my family has been here for centuries and i know that chattanooga is no "war zone" of gang violence. sure we have gangs but what town this size doesn't?

The Blueprint Part Dank wrote: You missed my point. Completely. I don't think you read over 25% of what I said. But I appreciate you're opinion.

No, I got it...I just chose to selectively comment on the portion where you were exaggerating to make a point, and offer my own experience living in chatt for the last 10 years. Of what you wrote the first 4/9 sections focused & referred gang violence and less than adequate law enforcement/government. If that wasn't a point you were trying to make, why lead with it? That's rhetorical question btw.

The rest of what you posted I thought was helpful, on topic, or just didn't feel a need to comment on.

I appreciate your opinion as well.

Do you have renters insurance? Renters insurance can be had with a $250 deductible and $4000 in full replacement coverage for like $70 a year through USAA. It will protect your gear anywhere in the world. Worth considering getting for the future.

Stone Nude wrote:Check Southern States forum, another smash and grab in the same week. Baseball bats, gentlemen.

Keep talking talking that shit and those of us who have been in a fight involving a knife, bat and or gun will keep laughing at you.

Please listen to someone with common sense. Let the police handle it. Your wife and kids will thank you for it. I know you might go through a period where you need to left alone to watch a marathon of The Sopranos. Your family will be cool with you sitting on front of the TV after you come home safe.

Glad I got my boots on today. And here I thought they would only protect me from the rain.

I would like remind you of all the things that could go wrong with your vigilante justice like getting sued or going to jail for assault with deadly weapon not to mention bringing a bat to a gun fight. I would but you'll just write something witty about how you're a bad ass and I'm up for the Nobel peace prize. That's cool go do your thing just don't talk someone into doing something stupid. I understand it's MP and people troll away but telling someone to do something that could ruin their life is a poor decision on your part. Not everyone is Gangsta like you. Not everyone should do the dumb shit that they did before they could vote.

So in the end you're doing what you always do.. Talk shit and give bad advice.

BTW, I liked the part that you wrote where you better things to do than get on a plane to Baltimore. Thanks! The guys at work should get a chuckle outta that tomorrow.

Why don't you two get a room or something?

Chasing someone with a bat, or especially with a knife, because they stole your crap is a good way to end up in prison really quick. That's felony assault with a deadly weapon if you are using a knife. Theft does not give grounds to use a weapon against the offender in most states. In some cases, if they enter your house and try to harm you, then you can use a weapon under castle doctrine or stand your ground laws, but not out when you are out on the open (castle doctrine) or when the offender is not trying to harm you (stand your ground).

Or maybe the Sargent might hate thieves and take your side deciding not to charge you with anything. But why take the risk of a 10+ year prison sentence over a few cams?

Just checked back in. Psyched everybody lived up to the rigorous standards of internet discussion. Thanks well wishers. Thanks trolls.

I hear people say to leave your car unlocked. I never agreed with that. All it does is maybe prevent you from getting a busted window. But the problem is if you have insurance and you left the car unlocked, they could deny your claim. Most insurance policies have a clause that says you are required to take due diligence in attempting to protect your stuff from a loss. Leaving a security feature disabled is not due diligence. The other issues is if you leave your car unlocked, you set yourself up for a mysterious disappearance claim. Mysterious disappearance occurs when the cause of loss cannot be identified. Some policies do not cover mysterious disappearance because there is no actual evidence in those cases, and they are just going on your word and nothing else. With a broken window you have proof of unlawful entry. With an unlocked door you have absolutely nothing.