For Alex's bachelor party we decided to go on a climbing trip to Alabama and Tennessee. We being Alex, Barry, Dave (who would meet up with us on Saturday), and I, are not into the "normal" activities of a bachelor party. So we decided to go cragging and meet real people instead of heading to a stripe club. We talked about where to go and Little River Canyon always ended up on the list. So we headed to Horse Pens 40 to camp on the first night. We woke up at 6:30am and climbed a few problems there. The friction believe it or not was not that bad, considering it is June. Our friend Barry had never seen HP40 before so we felt obligated to show him around.
We left and headed to Foster Falls. FF is a wonderful summer sport area. We chased the shade all afternoon. We climbed a couple 10as and a 5.9, then headed to a route that I had tried twice before.
I was feeling good and decided to go for the redpoint.
Somethings Always Wrong 10d, is a great line. It starts out as a 5.9 then turns into a 10 at the lip of a roof. The following three bolts are 10b with a two move sequence at the top that are definitely 10d. I was super pumped but very happy I sent. Video will be up soon of the send. We took a quick dip in the falls and headed to Lupi's for some much needed pizza and beer. We stayed at Raccoon Mt. camp ground that night because of its close proximity to Chattanooga.
The next day we headed to Sunset Park to put in a couple lines before 10am. We put up two routes and needed to head south quick to meet Dave. Sunset by the way is a great area to climb in during the summer, in the morning. It is very hot in the afternoon.
After Sunset we drove down to the Little River Canyon to meet Dave and climb some killer over hanging sport routes. The Little River has so much climbing to offer. The Little River Canyon would truly be one of the top sport climbing areas in the east if more sectors were opened up.
We climbed at the Gray Wall area. The routes here start at 11a.
The routes are stiff and require a stick clip or highball confidence. We climbed an 11a, 11b, 11c/d, and a 12c. I should not say we climbed a 12c, Alex climbed a 12c.
I made it through the first boulder problem in the roof then fell. There was still two more very tough sequences. Very pumpy.
But an excellent route for a 12c climber.
That night we met up with a friend and stayed in the Desoto State Park. It rained that night and we had to cut our party short. We were able to waking up early enough to leave for 8am, which gave us another great start on the day. We were headed for Sandrock. Sandrock is a great area to climb at year round. It is a great place to climb at if you are learning to lead sport or if you are leading 12s.
We set up a very delicate 10c to warm up on then climbed a very stiff 9+, 10d roof, and a 12d roof. The 10d was wonderful. The 12d not so much. After the 12 I walked around a corner to see a great 10a that was overhanging at the top that needed to be lead. The moves on the route were great. Alex sent a 11a next to it as I pushed thought the crux.
All in all the trip was a great success. Alex had a great time. And I was able to send some hard routes. I will always remember these trips to Alabama and Tennessee with Alex forever. They are some of the fondest memories I have.
Go Climb Something!!!!!
