BETA PHOTO: A view from the top of Tallulah Gorge, looking dow...
Description
When you're ready for superb trad climbing in Georgia, you may be ready for Tallulah Gorge. Don't let the touristy Interpretive Center fool you -- when you leave the parking lot and hit the trail into the gorge, you're in wild country and serious climbing territory. This is not a place for beginners or toproping; apart from a handful of moderate lines, the routes at Tallulah are hard multi-pitch trad or mixed aid/trad. The rock is high-quality quartzite, the scenery is beautiful and the exposure will raise your pulse rate.
Climbing at Tallulah Gorge began in the 70s, when southern legend Rich Gottlieb and partners established early classics like Flying Frog. But the top first ascentionist here has been Atlanta climber Shannon Stegg, whose name is stamped on most of the Main Wall routes. Along with partners Greg Allen, Chris Wilson, Larry Myers, Stan Glass and others, Stegg put up stellar lines like Punk Wave, Primitive Paradox, Heaven and Hell and many others. Another noted route pioneer is North Carolina's Jeep Gaskin, who gets the credit for such stout climbs as Cracker State and War in the Gulf.
Because this is a state park, activities other than climbing sometimes take precedence. There are periodic weekend water releases from the dam to facilitate white-water kayaking competitions, at which time Tallulah Gorge is closed to climbing. Unfortunately, these closures are in late fall and early spring, which is prime time for climbing here (like other south-facing crags, Tallulah is not a great summer destination). So wait until kayaking season is over or take a day off during the week. The park will issue a maximum of 20 climbing permits per day, but it is almost unheard of for this limit to be met; Tallulah Gorge is never crowded.
Camping is available on the grounds of the park.
Getting There
From Atlanta, head north on I-85, then exit to I-985 north. Follow 985 to where it ends, then continue north on US 441 to Tallulah Falls. Cross a bridge that is the dam to the Tallulah River, then watch for the Tallulah Gorge State Park Interpretive Center and turn right into the center. Pay the parking fee, then go to the main building and fill out a climber's permit.
A must-do! For most of its length, Flying Frog is delicate face climbing on crimpy holds with sparse but adequate pro. When you reach the top of this long expanse of beautiful black rock, you'll feel like you've done something special.Climb the face past a small tree growing out of a crack (keep the tree to your right). Continue up the face, trending left, and on to a right-facing dihedral near the top. Climb the dihedral to finish on a ledge...[more]
Tallulah Gorge is THE SPOT for serene, noncrowded, climbing in the TAG area. A short hike, rappel, and moderate bushwhack along the trail at the base of the cliff will reward the adventurous with fun climbing in a very pristine setting. Bring a standard rack and two ropes.
Just a comment on the approach. You don't actually need to make a rap, so you can leave your harness and rope buried in the pack until you reach your intended line. The short scramble/downclimb is easy 4th class for about 15'. Dogs and kids will be screwed here, but climbers capable of climbing the routes in the Gorge won't have issues here.
Aesthetic Water Releases Saturday, Sep 8, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Sunday, Sep 9, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Saturday, Sep 15, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Sunday, Sep 16, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Saturday, Sep 22, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Sunday, Sep 23, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Saturday, Sep 29, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Wednesday, Oct 3, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Friday, Oct 5, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Friday, Oct 12, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Friday, Oct 19, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Saturday, Oct 27, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM Sunday, Oct 28, 2007 8 AM - 8 PM
By saxfiend Administrator From: Atlanta, GA Oct 5, 2007
All water releases for October and November have been cancelled, per the Tallulah Gorge State Park web site: http://www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah/ This is due to the current drought. So there should be no climbing restrictions for the rest of the fall.
"Climbing at Tallulah Gorge began in the 70s," Actually, climbing there began in the '60s with a US Army unit nailing what we called Army Angle [the exact same route Bert Reynolds did "free" in the movie Deliverance] in '67 we removed 10 or more nice Army Angle pitons from that and another line - I still have one of them somewhere.
A group of five Ga Tech students "discovered" the gorge in '67 and made climbing trips there practically every [dry] weekend for the next several years. These included Mike Byorick, Steve Poulsen, Mike Kimball, Alan Vandeford and myself Rob Culbertson. We were not great climbers at the time so nailed/aided many of the lines. Three of the group also made the first ground-up ascent of Stone Mountain [immediately left of the carving] over July 4 weekend '69. I have many great photos from this.
[I also have quite a few slides & b&w pix of the gorge and climbs before it was "destroyed" by the circus.]
By saxfiend Administrator From: Atlanta, GA Dec 2, 2007
That's fascinating history, Rob. I'll pass it along to Chris for his next revision of the Dixie Cragger. I hope you'll post some of your photos.
Do you happen to know who did the FA of Mescaline Daydream? I've been dying to find out who that was.
Tallulah Gorge
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