2008 Woodie Awards
Chattanooga area offers variety of rock climbing venues
Jeremy Acree
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Sports
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The natural geography of Chattanooga makes it a perfect fit for those who want to try a sport like rock climbing, which has participants scaling mountain walls for a variety of purposes.
Laura Kilpatrick, a Chattanooga senior, enjoys the thrill and adrenaline rush of the sport, but also finds it relaxing being in nature.
"I go about two to three times a week," Kilpatrick said.
"Chattanooga is a good area to do it because it's only thirty minutes to a lot of places."
Some of her favorite places to climb include Foster Falls, Sunset Rock and Little Rock City, all of which are within driving distance to Chattanooga.
Miles Ledford is the coordinator of outdoor programming at UTC and said rock climbing is one of the most popular activities here.
Ledford is also the leader of UTC Outdoors, which has planned two trips for November, but are running out of spots. Ledford said 10 to 12 students will be accepted for each and a $25 deposit is all that is needed.
The first trip will be to Upper Fungus in Prentice Cooper State Forest Nov. 10 and the second will be Nov. 16 to Montlake, just minutes outside Chattanooga.
"Some of the best climbing in the whole country is in this city," Ledford said.
Prentice Cooper State Forest is a huge area that offers many rock climbing spots as well as things like off-roading trails and hunting.
There are more rock climbing routes within a 25 mile radius of Chattanooga than any other city in the southeast, according to Ledford.
He added that it isn't as dangerous as it sounds, and the school trips are a perfect way for beginners to get some experience.
Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain also provide very close options for an outdoor escape.
Sophomore Keaton Hughes, Ooltewah, Tenn., said, "Little Rock City is a good opportunity to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors."
Also, the Tennessee Bouldering Authority climbing gym is located on St. Elmo St. and anyone can climb for $7 a day. TBA is located within fifteen minutes of UTC for those who want to try the sport indoors.
