Climbing Near Batesville, Arkansas

Ready for a real Arkansas bouldering experience... complete with sandy landings, broken glass, rednecks getting their trucks stuck out on mudflats, periodic flash flooding, a drunk hobo that's trying to sleep while you're cruxing out over the top of his bed, and the oh-so pungent smell of ConAgra cooking up that fast food pre-mix in the morning...Well you've come to the right place!Welcome to Batesville. Home of the two Mark's - Mark Martin (Nascar Driver - who cares) and most importantly Mark Mobley (Northeast Arkansas Rock God and Legend)....and less notably known for this wild lithified sandy mudroof system locals affectionately call "Hobo Beach".The climbing is steep and powerful. Landings are flat and sandy, just keep an eye out for the glimmer of broken glass or the occasional hypodermic needle. Holds are fine grained texture and soft on the skin. Hobo is a great way to warm up if you have some off the radar projects lurking in the greater Batesville area or you're a local looking for a way to circuit and get stronger on some steep stone.There is some discussion over what exactly in the hell the formation is. Generally, it has been accepted as the Batesville Sandstone but there are some arguments this may be something different entirely.Either way it's here and you are interested in climbing. The rock feels (and sounds) soft and hollow but it is surprising resilient. Surprisingly, holds are rarely known to break. Get to Batesville, AR whichever way best gets you there. Head towards the AR HWY 167 bridge crossing over the White River. Turn east on Chaney Dr at the 1st traffic light just north of the river and drive past Josie's Steak House and take the first right onto Riverbank Rd and continue around the golf course and down a short hill towards the river. Make a right-hand turn just before the water treatment plant to an open parking lot and river access. Park on the upstream side of the parking lot and follow the trail upstream towards the dam for 1-2min.

Nice wall with a few easy sport and a couple of great trad lines. Take an immediate left after getting out of the dog walk and take the upper trail a few hundred feet to this nice inlet of climbs.

Area around the "Dogwalk" entrance. This is the easiest point for people to get down. Look for the "Warning" sign on the pine tree directly above the entrance. When you reach the bottom of the bluff line where the big sign is, follow trail to the right.