Can you climb in northern AL in July?

I'll be in Huntsville with my son Mid July. So close to horse pens but assuming like around here it would be near impossible in the heat? So sad. Think we will be kayaking instead.

Jennifer,

You are likely right about the heat, especially for bouldering at HP40. But I've heard palisades park in Oneonta is shady enough in areas to be tolerable in the summer. You could also try sand rock, but there is much less shade there. I'm not sure about the nearby LRC or Jamestown

Are those bouldering or sport? And how far from penc are those bouldering or sport? And how far from Huntsville thanks so much

You can boulder then. Just go early in the day. HP40 is very well kept so under growth isn't as much of an issue

Palisades is all top rope and trad and it is right down the road from horse pens. Sandrock is mostly sport and it's about an hour away. Lrc is 11+ sport and it's 2 hours. Google maps and browsing mp can tell you all this and more.

You can climb year round in Alabama....but you need to plan accordingly.

For Yellow Bluff, Palisades, Sandrock, or HP40, you can chase shade and/or start early.
Steele and Jamestown are the hottest crags, but you can find shade in the morning at either. Both are miserable in full sun.
Little River Canyon, of course, has nearby swimming, which is nice. Generally pretty shady.

Be wary of the following (common sense): Snakes, ticks, dehydration, and CHIGGERS. Otherwise, you are guaranteed to get a special sort of cleansing workout....climbing in the heat of Alabama summer.

There's also DWS at Smith Lake and some other spots.

Sounds like I'll be chasing shade and horse pens unless anyone wants to meet up for sport. I'm not planning on bringing a rope.

Sandrock is basically an outdoor gym. Show up and you can find a belay partner

webdog wrote:Sandrock is basically an outdoor gym. Show up and you can find a belay partner

Ok cool

Thanks for all the help guys

UncleBen wrote:You can climb year round in Alabama....but you need to plan accordingly. For Yellow Bluff, Palisades, Sandrock, or HP40, you can chase shade and/or start early. Steele and Jamestown are the hottest crags, but you can find shade in the morning at either. Both are miserable in full sun. Little River Canyon, of course, has nearby swimming, which is nice. Generally pretty shady. Be wary of the following (common sense): Snakes, ticks, dehydration, and CHIGGERS. Otherwise, you are guaranteed to get a special sort of cleansing workout....climbing in the heat of Alabama summer. There's also DWS at Smith Lake and some other spots.

sandrock sounds great if I can bum belays. Otherwise HP40.

I LOVE Alabama. I spent my childhood summers here and now my son is back for space camp but as a California girl I have zero common sense when it comes to chiggers, we don't have them. Snakes, ticks . . . I'm good on those :)
Cannot wait to eat some collard greens, hush puppies and chess pie!
Now y'all need to come to CA to enjoy our climbing.

Sandrock is now a county park so there will be an entrance fee. I'm sure someone else can chime in w the cost. Just don't leave anything laying around, even if you're just walking around to scout as it'll disappear

Jennifer rau wrote: Now y'all need to come to CA to enjoy our climbing.

Wait! California has climbing?!

Jeff Mekolites wrote: Wait! California has climbing?!

You can climb in the morning swim in the pacific after lunch.

hp40 is going to get sun quick, LRC is going to have tons of shade being completely in the woods. I'd try there.
You aren't going to have great friction anywhere, but you could prob run some circuits.

Cumberland boulders/ Dayton would also be a great option with tons of roofs for shade and both are right by the water.

I forgot to mention the DWS in Little River, proper. Upstream from the big bridge, or other areas. Easy to access and some good, clean, deep falls/landings, in spots.

Jack Stephenson wrote:hp40 is going to get sun quick, LRC is going to have tons of shade being completely in the woods. I'd try there. You aren't going to have great friction anywhere, but you could prob run some circuits. Cumberland boulders/ Dayton would also be a great option with tons of roofs for shade and both are right by the water.

How far is LRC or Cumberland from Huntsville?

I was able to find it and not t I was able to find and map them. LRC looks like a beautiful spot for my fantas looks like a beautiful spot and not too far. Traveling solo i'm going to have to rely on the generosity of others are for either crash pads or belays so I'll take my chances with belays I guess. Unless anyone wants to make plans. I'm happy to drive.

Look up montlake golf course, that's LRC, it's run out of the club house of the golf course.
Also, if you're traveling solo, look up Anvil Crash Pad Rentals. Their shop isn't far from the boulder field and they rent out organic pads, Brian the owner is a great guy to work with. He will also be able to give you directions to Cumberland, be aware there is no guide book yet for that area.

If you're going to LRC and want to get in some roped climbing as well Leda is close by and I've climbed there in the summer. It's easy to chase shade there as it's in the woods. You can also chase shade at Sunset Rock up on Lookout Mtn.

Another option would be to kayak out to lake nickajack and do some DWS if you're in to that