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Elevation: 1,751 ft
GPS: 35.18234, -85.67385
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Shared By: saxfiend on Nov 5, 2006 · Updates
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Description Suggest change

Foster Falls is a major destination for sport climbing in the south. Near the town of Jasper (just west of Chattanooga), it features high-quality sandstone and challenging climbing in a pleasant locale. Though you might want to stay away in the hottest or coldest seasons, Foster's season is pretty much year-round.

If you're just getting started as a leader, you can hone your skills on a few easy routes like Gravity Boots (5.7) or Jacob's Ladder (5.8). But the real fun at Fosters begins at 5.9 with favorites such as Ankles Away or Twist and Shout, and doesn't stop till you get to the ferociously overhung 5.13 routes in the Bunkers sections. There's a little something for everyone at Fosters.

Amenities include camping (fee-based), picnic facilities and bathrooms at the parking lot. There's also hiking trails if you need a break from climbing, and in the summer you can cool off in the pool at the base of the falls.

For routes not covered on MountainProject, the Dixie Cragger's Atlas by Chris Watford has much of the content or else Chatt Steel by Micah Gentry would the definitive guidebook for Foster Falls.

The sections listed below run from right to left as you face the cliff, starting from where the trail ascends to the cliff from the suspension bridge at the base of the falls:

Getting There Suggest change

From Chattanooga, head west on I-24 past Nickajack Lake and get off at exit 155 (about 20 miles). Head north following the signs to the town of Jasper. Passing through the town, follow the signs for TN150/US41 north toward Tracy City. A landmark (at least for now, since its out of business) is the Mountain Mart on the left as you continue on TN150. The entrance to Foster Falls is on the left about three miles past the Mountain Mart.

173 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Foster Falls

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 87
Sweet Surrender
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 228
Ruben
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 181
Holy War
Sport
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 183
Something's Always Wrong
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 147
Pillsbury
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 196
Standing Room Only
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 84
The Acquittal
Sport
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 70
Story of My Life
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a
 114
Wristlets
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 93
Satisfaction
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 43
Vapor Lock
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 84
Thieves
Sport
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 58
Bottled Up Warrior
Sport
5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 56
Eclipse
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 22
The Big Empty
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Sweet Surrender Music City/The 5.9 Area
 87
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport
Ruben Jimmywood
 228
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Holy War Wall of Useless Conflict
 181
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Sport
Something's Always Wrong Right Bunker
 183
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Pillsbury Dihedrals
 147
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
Standing Room Only Crime Buttress
 196
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
The Acquittal White Wall
 84
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Story of My Life Jimmywood
 70
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Wristlets White Wall
 114
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a Sport
Satisfaction White Wall
 93
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Vapor Lock Red Light District
 43
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Thieves Crime Buttress
 84
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Bottled Up Warrior Right Bunker
 58
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
Eclipse Left Bunker
 56
5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
The Big Empty Left Bunker
 22
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
More Classic Climbs in Foster Falls »

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