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Elevation: 740 ft
GPS: 35.1273, -85.3886
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
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Shared By: saxfiend on Sep 26, 2007
Admins: Stonyman Killough, Luke Cornejo, saxfiend

Description Suggest change

For climbers looking for a Chattanooga crag less crowded than T-Wall, with a little alpine-style adventure thrown in, Suck Creek Canyon is the place to go.

Climbing in Suck Creek Canyon dates back at least to the late 1970s. Rob Robinson, Forrest Gardner and Peter Henley established numerous lines in the Roadside Wall and Upper Passes areas during the 80s; later in that decade, Gardner and Todd Wells began developing the Concentration Camp section.

Anyone used to the solid and reliable sandstone of cliffs like T-Wall and Sunset will need to adjust their expectations at Suck Creek. The rock quality is variable; some routes may have sections of loose or rotten rock to deal with. But the reward for dealing with this suspect stone is some of the longest routes in Tennessee, including three-pitch lines like Flying Fortress (5.10a) and Bombs Away (5.8). There's also several aid/mixed lines for added spice.

Getting There Suggest change

From downtown Chattanooga, take US 27 north. About a mile after crossing the Tennessee River, exit on 127 north (Signal Mountain Road). Continuing toward Signal Mountain about 1.5 miles, turn left on Suck Creek Road (27 west). Continue about four miles (past a cement plant) and cross a bridge over Suck Creek. This is where you would turn off for T-Wall. After crossing the bridge, continue up the canyon to turnoffs for the different Suck Creek areas.

82 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Suck Creek Canyon

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 38
Bombs Away
Trad 3 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 10
The Ramp
Trad
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 6
Shelob
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 8
GPS Crack
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 5
Little Tree
Trad
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 5
Steggosaur
Trad
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 30
The Rose
Trad 2 pitches
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 7
Rockwork Orange
Trad
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 7
[Redacted]
Trad
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 6
Layaway Plan
Trad
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 16
Ethiopia
Trad, TR
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 5
Tombstone
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 10
Special Olympics
Trad
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a PG13
 5
Any Way You Slice It
Trad
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 7
The Odyssey
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Bombs Away Flying Squirrel Buttress
 38
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 3 pitches
The Ramp Rdside Wall
 10
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Shelob Upper Passes > Upper Passes Left
 6
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
GPS Crack Rdside Wall
 8
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Little Tree Camp
 5
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
Steggosaur Camp
 5
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad
The Rose Rdside Wall
 30
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Rockwork Orange Upper Passes > Upper Passes Left
 7
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
[Redacted] Camp
 7
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Layaway Plan Camp
 6
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Ethiopia Rdside Wall
 16
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad, TR
Tombstone Upper Passes > Upper Passes Left
 5
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad
Special Olympics Rdside Wall
 10
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Trad
Any Way You Slice It Camp
 5
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a PG13 Trad
The Odyssey Rdside Wall
 7
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
More Classic Climbs in Suck Creek Canyon »

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