I'll be back in Alabama and thought about checking out the "potential" climbing in Bankhead National Forest. I was looking through my old copy of Detterline's "A Climber's Guide to the Mid-South" and I was wondering if the directions weren't slightly wrong.

His directions say "From Florence, turn south on Hwy-43 to Russellville. Turn east for about 2mi on AL-24 and turn south on Hwy-243. Travel on 243 to Hwy-195 and turn left. Continue to the National Forest marker on the left. Turn left and follow signs to the Sipsey River. Continue past the Sipsey to a gravel road on the left (approx. 4mi.) Follow this road for about 6mi until an obvious pulloff can be spotted on the left. The trail is to the left and can easily be seen from the road." Looking at these directions on Mapquest, it seems like they turn away from the Sipsey River. Any ideas? I'd like to spend as much time exploring the actual cliff and climbing than driving around exploring the road. Thanks.

If you want to spend more time climbing and less time looking for rock, I don't think Bankhead is where you want to go. I've explored down there some, years back, and didn't really find all that much. I found some cliffs but it wasn't all that great. Your time would probably be better spent driving to a more popular area.

The best rock in Bankhead is Shiprock at the 206 trail, Thompson creek!!! 60-100 ft. All trad pretty much, except some area's you can set up top-rope. If your interested let me know and I'll get you some directions.

Ive added a few of the routes and directions on the destination section under Alabama/Bankhead Forrest/Ship Rock. Check it out and if you have any trouble, let me know okay?

Thanks for doing that! I'll have to let you know how it goes.

Thanks, and I haven't listed all the routes or problems as of yet, but will do so soon.