Tennessee Rock Climbing
Tennessee rock climbing is alive and well, both indoors and outdoors. The state has become one of the major rock climbing states in the Eastern part of the country.
Tennessee Rock Climbing
Tennessee is a prime recreational state in many ways. The state, which is long and narrow, straddles the mid-east part of the country and is covered with hills and woods. Lakes and river systems are everywhere. It is full of beauty and history. It has large and distinctive cities like Nashville and Chattanooga. It also has a large number of exception rock climbing areas.
Most of the Tennessee rock climbing formations are deep in forest glades on the edges of the many hills and small mountains of the state. This creates a slightly different feel than one gets from the open and panoramic vistas found on in the West. This is not a bad thing though. It also does not mean that Tennessee rock climbing cliffs present any less challenge.
This is actually one of the things in Tennessee’s favor. There is something for everyone up in those hills. There are many low graded climbs that are ideal for the beginner, but also some of the most highly graded ones as well. The expert rock climber will not feel cheated here. The area around Chattanooga with its nearby Civil War battlefields and the rugged Lookout Mountain is one of the prime climbing areas of the State.
The State of Tennessee has taken to the idea of indoor climbing as well. Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga all boast large and challenging indoor climbs. Many local climbers use the indoor wall climbs for practice, conditioning, and out of season climbs. They are able to easily shift to the nearby outdoor climbs when the weather is right and they are ready for the exertion required to tame them.
Like many other States that feature good climbing communities, the Tennessee rock climbing community is well organized and closely knit. It is said by some serious climbers that rock climbing is more of a lifestyle than a sport, and Tennessee climbers are apt to agree with that sentiment. The climbing clubs in the major cities are organized and offer not only expert guidance and advice, but also arrange competitions. The rock climbing community also maintains a good internet presence and so their resources are available outside the State for potential visitors as well as for local fanatics.