Traveling to Atlanta area soon

Hey guys, Medium level boulderer and beginning Sport climber from Portland Oregon here.

I am planning to fly out and see family in the next few months who live in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Really interested in going to Rocktown while out there.

What are the best times of year to go there?

How are the landings? I may or may not have a bouldering pad.
And probably a novice spotter.

Tempted to check my old pad on the plane but have not looked into it much...

What say you all?

Hey man! Atlanta resident here.

Really, any time is a great time to go to Rocktown. Winter is possibly the best, actually, as long as it isn't too rainy. The rock quality is amazing and the breadth of climbs is astonishing. Just make sure you read the rules here: seclimbers.org/modules.php?… and other than that, have fun!

There's a lot of stuff that you could get away without doing without a pad, but you really shouldn't limit yourself by not bringing one. There are thousands and thousands of people in the ATL area that would be more than happy to loan you a pad, myself included. If you have a pad and a sentient spotter, the landings are generally just fine.

I have a big metolius pad and the Rocktown guidebook that I'd gladly loan out if you need em. I won't be using them until well in to the new year. I live just north of Atlantic Station if you're gonna be in that area at all. Feel free to shoot me an email if you're interested / have any more questions - robdwilkey*at*gmail*dot*com

-Rob

Really awesome, thanks for the offers. I may just have to take you up on the pad and book loan. My brother lives not far from you I think.

And thanks for the link. Good to know that camping is free. I'm always a leave 'no trace' type of camper/climber and good to hear people regulate the area a bit.

I guess I should check out weather trends and plan for a dry time at the end of winter or something. It would be dope to end up there with some locals, but I'm also not afraid to be solo (with a good pad).

Keep in mind the new day permit fee stuff that has been instituted there. They are strict.

Thanks for the replies! Still not exactly sure when I would be heading to GA but I am hoping it will be end of March at the latest.

Has that been known to be a wet time of year?

I know the dry times in winter are best but I couldn't make it during that time this year.

There is no wet season/dry season in Georgia. It is different day by day. It was 6 and sunny on Tuesday and calling for 60 and rain on Saturday. It has rained all of 2013 so who knows what this year will bring.

Make sure you buy your Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP) in advance. Was out there last weekend and got stopped once by four park rangers checking GORP's.

I had one, but many didn't and ended up getting fined over $1,000!

Heading Atlanta way on business at end of Jan and looking for trad/sport partners to climb with. How much is the GORP?

The 3 day, 8 person pass is $10.00 + $2.50 service charge. Out the door cost is $12.50.

Thanks for the info Justin :-)

Hey man, if you'll be in Atlanta you should take a trip up to stone fort In chattanooga, only 2 hours away and filled with extremely quality climbs.

good bouldering up there?

I won't have any of my sport stuff or a belayer with me, so bouldering is what I am going for.

also just siked to see the area of rocktown, even if I climb a minimal amount.

i'll be in lawrencevill and atlanta most of my visit, so hoping to do 2 days at Rocktown? maybe

b0t23 wrote:good bouldering up there?

Stone Fort is all bouldering! It is incredible, I'm there almost every afternoon, the downside is that you have to pay $5 to get in which really sucks, but it's worth the price for a full day!

Definitely agree with AJ on this. Stone Fort has fantastic bouldering and is more condense than Rocktown. That can be good and bad at the same time. While you don't have to walk far to get to a different boulder problem, it can get really crowded really quick.

Rocktown on the other hand is a little more open and typically is less crowded compared to Stone Fort.

well they seem the same distance from where I will be, thanks for the advice!

I like the idea of not having to pay so much (compared to rocktown) to be in the climbing area.

Looks like I may have changed my plan!

So it is official, I will be in Atlanta the 9th through the 14th of April to visit family and plan to visit Stone Fort as recommended in this thread.

Not sure which days I will have free to jet out there but am hoping the weather is dry.

Anyone heading up there that weekend that wants to bring a noob?

Robert Wilkey - you mentioned loaning me a pad, that still up for grabs?? I'll pm later