Just moved to Cookeville, TN

Hey,

Does anybody know where to climb if you're living in Cookeville? I haven't found any gyms, and none of the books I've found have been much help unless I go to Chattanooga. If you're around the area and need a partner too, I mostly boulder, but climb sport about 5.10, and I've only been on trad a couple times, but would like to get into it.

I'll be around till the end of the year, just hit me up.

Tucker

Hi Tucker, unfortunately, you are in a bit of a no man's land for climbing there in Cookeville. The few small crags and cliffs that are around are no longer open for climbing (most haven't been for many years as they are on private land). Not to worry though, as the climbing areas north of Chattanooga such as Buzzard Point, Castle Rock or Deep Creek are easily within striking distance, as are the cliffs at Black Mountain and the Obed and Clear Creek, which are about an hour/hour and a half to your east, near Harriman, TN.

What about Ozone Falls in Ozone? That's close to Cookeville. It has some top-rope stuff on the left as you walk into the gorge. All short routes. I think some bolted routes are there. But, check to make sure its ok first. The Buzzard Point in Dayton is a bottom access as of now unless I am there and I know a land owner that will let me park at his cabin at the old Angel falls entrance and hike in, about 15 min hike. I live in Alabama so I don't get there much any more. Make sure you have the thumbs up first.

Tucker, Don't pay any attention to Watford, no mans land would be Hotlanta, just kidding, I can get from my driveway in Cookeville to the parking at Obed in exactly an hour. That isn't to bad, Chattanooga one and a half hour, Deep Creek hour and 15 min. Hit me up we'll go.

Hey James! Didn't know you were in Cookeville now. Pretty up there. I was figuring that the Obed would be the closest to Cookeville. maybe Black Mountain? Hope things are going well for you. And Tucker, I would take James up on his offer. You couldnt find a better partner.

Thanks guys for the replies. Dobbs, What kind of climbing do you do? I boulder alright, not super strong. I have lead 5.10+, and can do some lighter 5.11, but would be more comfortable top roping, and 11c is about my max now after having taken a break for a while. I have heard that a lot of the stuff in this area is trad, and I would love to learn, but honestly I have only ever climbed two trad routes on off width crack in Vedauwoo, WY. I've got my mom's vintage rack of nuts and hexes, but no cams or anything.
If you've got any trips planned, afternoons and weekends are my free time. Just let me know.

Hey Tucker, sent you a message

Hey Tucker,

I'm from Cookeville originally. There are many nice climbing spots close by if you are in the know. Tim, the manager at Cumberland Mountain Outdoors on the square is super knowledgeable about the under-the-radar spots. He is also usually willing to get out climbing. Lots of notable climbers have gone to Tech and left some obscure but high quality routes scattered around. I tend to visit in late May/early June and December. I'll look you up next time. Enjoy. Oh and Father Tom's Pub and Crawdaddy's are both sources of good food and pints. On rest days, trout fishing on the Caney Fork is nice.

Jack

Hey Jack, thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely look up Tim and see what he can tell me. Pub tips are greatly appreciated as well.