Sam's Throne & Surroundings 

The new comprehensive color guidebook to the state by Cole Fennel is now available in stores. This tome is 400 pages and describes nearly 1500 routes and 350 boulder problems.

Cole's book is a nice color guide with nice action photos. The book down grades many routes. I have been climbing in Arkansas for the last 20 years and am taken back by the the multiple down grades on routes that have been established and confirmed by many climbers over the years. Ratings should not be down graded once you have dialed the route and decided that it is easier. Grades are set for on-sights not rehearsed work sessions. Clay's book gives a more realistic rating of the routes in my opinion.

See more comments about the Rock Climbing in Arkansas guidebook by Cole Fennel at the main Arkansas page including a review I wrote for Google Books.

The National Forest Service is currently conducting a Heritage Site Review at Hudson Mountain and the Invasion Wall climbing areas near Cowell, AR during the month of August. The FS is asking that climbers, hikers, and all other users avoid these areas during the review process. Please respect the USFS request and pass the word on to other climbers.