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Obed (or nearby) - destination worthy?

Original Post
blakeherrington · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 1,163

Hi - I'm planning on visiting a friend this November near Franklin, NC. I wanted to combine the trip with a few days of sport climbing, mostly interested in mid 5.12 and up and truly high quality climbing, not just decent local crags.

For ~3 days of climbing, do the Obed or Foster Falls hold a candle to the RRG? Clearly they are both much smaller, but for a few days of climbing, that doesn't really matter.

What's the best wall in the region of Eastern TN for singe pitch 5.12 and 5.13? Does anything compare reasonably well to the better sector of the RRG or NRG?

Alexander Stathis · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 657

Skip the crowds at the Red. You won't be disappointed with the Obed. The climbing is excellent, and the only reason it's not more popular is because it's not as big. Tierranny wall or South or North Clear Creek are excellent. I'd much rather climb at the Obed than at the Red, as I honestly think the climbing is more fun. Can't beat the NRG though, that place is incredible. Stay at the Lilly Pad and drink the beer. 

Buffet wall at Denny's is another good choice. I'd skip on Foster Falls.

Dylan Pike · · Knoxville, TN · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 555

The Obed is awesome. Killer roof climbing. Camp at the Lily Pad.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

Obed is great if you have never been there you can spend 3 days no problem. Lily pad is really nice now that they have food, camping, and beer.

nbrown · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 7,967

I know you said sport climbing, but Whiteside Mtn is not far at all from Franklin. Big, hard, and steep routes on the headwall there. Something to consider if you're also into that kind of thing.

DanielHart · · Carpinteria ca · Joined Dec 2016 · Points: 5

I prefer obed to most other crowded climbing areas.  You may want to consider twall for that range. 

Russ Keane · · Salt Lake · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 392

Obed is amazing.   It will not disappoint you in the least.   +1 for Tierrany Roof area, it's mind blowing.

Pnelson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 635

As mentioned above, Tierranny or North Clear are super worthy sport destinations.  If you've climbed at the Red or New river gorges and want more southern sandstone, the Obed is your next logical step.

Brian E · · Western North Carolina · Joined Mar 2005 · Points: 363

The Obed has better stone than the Red... There, I've said it. It's smaller, but you certainly won't be able to even see all the good stuff in three days. As someone else already mentioned, Whiteside is pretty close, and it's also world class...

Sam Wilson · · Asheville, NC · Joined Apr 2018 · Points: 105

+1 for Obed. Lots of great 11s and 12s at the South Clear Creek area. Tieranny also has plenty of tall, intimidating routes in the grade range you’re looking for.

The Lilly pad is a great place to stay, very close to the trailheads for most of the cliffs in the area. They also have great beer and food, and sometimes have the Obed/Clear Creek guidebook for sale

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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