Dubbed the “regional climbing capital” by National Geographic Adventurer magazine, Chattanooga’s rock-laden paradise is the result of erosion, which left the southern mountain ranges a masterpiece of exposed rock, ridges and canyons that call to climbers.
A number of renowned rock climbing areas are sprinkled throughout the Chattanooga area. While they don’t appear on traditional maps, they are prime destinations for rock climbers across the country – and world. These notable boulderfields, rocks and bluffs include Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain; The Tennessee Wall (or T Wall) in Dayton, Tenn.; Stone Fort (aka Little Rock City) on Mowbray Mountain above Soddy Daisy, Tenn.; and Foster Falls in Jasper, Tenn.
“There are probably 30 or more different climbing areas within a four-hour radius of Chattanooga – that is unique,” says Kasia Pietras, general manager at Tennessee Bouldering Authority and a world-class rock climber who moved to Chattanooga from Chicago to be surrounded by the rocks and cliffs of the Southeast.
In the Chattanooga area, the two most popular styles of rock climbing are bouldering and sport climbing.
Bouldering is a style of climbing undertaken without a rope that is normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad (also called a bouldering mat) to break falls. Its focus is on short sequences of moves that involve power, strength and dynamics. Bouldering is popular in the Southeast because of the large natural boulders found here. In fact, a series of bouldering competitions called the Triple Crown Bouldering Series are held each October at three premier boulderfield sites in the Southeast: Hound Ears in Boone, N.C.; Stone Fort in Chattanooga; and Horse Pens-40 in Steele, Ala.
Sport climbing involves climbing up or across rock formations with ropes and other protective gear. Sport climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport that tests a climber’s strength, endurance, agility, balance and mental control. Knowledge of proper climbing techniques and usage of specialized climbing equipment is crucial for safety. Rock climbing can take place either outdoors on varying types of rock or indoors on specialized climbing walls. In the Chattanooga area, sport climbing generally takes place on 25 to 80-foot walls.
Rock climbing can be a great sport for kids and families, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn how to hug some rock in the Chattanooga area.
“Chattanooga has the highest density of climbing in the Southeast in terms of proximity to the city,” Becky Robran, co-owner of Urban Rocks Gym in Chattanooga, says. “It is a great sport to get into, especially for families, because it is a really social activity. You have to protect, support and communicate with one another when you are rock climbing. It’s a great way for families to get outside together and get a really great workout.”
Rock climbing is known for building both physical and mental strength, as well as confidence. It’s also a great way for kids to spend time outdoors.
“One of the great strengths of rock climbing is that it is an individual sport,” Don Stock, co-owner of The Adventure Guild in Chattanooga, says. “Not all children love organized group sports, so rock climbing offers another outlet. Plus, climbing is a great whole-body sports experience and it gets kids outside breathing fresh air.
Rock climbing can be a dangerous sport without proper training in safe climbing techniques and the use of climbing gear essential to the sport.
Fortunately, there are a number of businesses in the area that can help train beginners.
Tennessee Bouldering Authority
The Tennessee Bouldering Authority, also known as TBA, is an indoor bouldering and rock-climbing facility that opened more than 10 years ago in the St. Elmo community of Chattanooga. The gym features nearly 3,000 cubic feet of world-class indoor climbing walls and dedicated training space.
“A lot of kids are scared of heights, so TBA’s bouldering atmosphere and the big mat makes it less scary for kids,” Kasia Pietras, general manager at Tennessee Bouldering Authority, said. “Most kids have a blast climbing up and down the walls. It’s a good way to get them interested in rock climbing."
TBA offers a youth climbing team and classes for kids on Wednesdays and Fridays. When it comes to the ages of participants, Pietras says, “If you can walk, you can climb.” Parents can purchase passes for one, four or 12 classes at a time.
Each summer, TBA offers week-long summer rock climbing camps for kids. TBA’s staff also leads guided trips for small groups and families, and they rent a portable climbing wall for festivals and parties.
For more information, call (423) 822-6800 or visit www.tbagym.com.
Urban Rocks Gym
Urban Rocks Gym opened in 2009 along Appling Street off Amnicola Highway. The gym features 10,000 square feet of climbing space, including top rope, lead, bouldering and a kid-specific climbing wall. They gym focuses on developing skills in rock climbing as well as bouldering.
Urban Rocks offers a variety of youth programs, including a youth club (ages 7 and older), youth team and Urban Rocks Team. Coaches work with participants to build a strong foundation in climbing techniques and fundamental climbing knowledge.
“The youth club is very introductory, focusing on basic climbing skills and safety, as well as getting the kids to bond together as a team,” Becky Robran, co-owner of Urban Rocks Gym, says. “If climbing is something they enjoy, they can move up to the youth team, which is more structured and focused.”
Urban Rocks offers day passes and memberships to climb and is available for group rentals, birthday parties and lock-ins. Each summer, Urban Rocks offer week-long summer camps for kids ages 7 to 14 years.
For more information, call (423) 475-6578 or visit www.urbanrocksgym.com.
The Adventure Guild
The Adventure Guild, a full-service adventure company, offers a series of rock climbing courses that prepare students to pursue the exciting sport of rock climbing in a safe, responsible way. All programs are run in accordance with American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) standards of practice, and the entire rock climbing program is overseen by Don Stock, the company’s co-owner, who is a Certified AMGA Single Pitch Instructor.
The guild offers a three day beginner rock climbing class, group and private guided experiences, and instructional teaching courses for climbers looking to add to their knowledge base. Classes take place at Rock Town in Georgia, the Guild’s private crag in Dunlap, Tenn., and various sites around Chattanooga. Generally, if a family or child would like to learn how to climb, the guild recommends a day of guided climbing or, if they have some experience, the three day beginning climbing package.
The Adventure Guild also operates The Walnut Wall in Coolidge Park, an urban outdoor climbing wall on one of the 100-year-old limestone towers supporting the Walnut Street Bridge. The Wall is 50 feet high and has 10 top ropes leading to as many as 30 distinct climbing routes. All equipment is provided.
The Walnut Wall is open to the general public each weekend during the following hours, through November:
Saturdays: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sundays: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For more information, contact (423) 266-5709 or visit www.theadventureguild.com
Rock climbing can be a fun and healthy way to enjoy the outdoors as a family. Check out the rock climbing world in Chattanooga – you might just get hooked on a lifelong love of rocks.
Jenni Frankenberg Veal enjoys writing about the natural world and the people who work to protect it. She is rarely found without her daughters and a pair of shoes appropriate for hiking and rock-hopping in creeks. Visit her blog at YourOutdoorFamily.com.
