Chattanooga Beta

looking to switch things up and chatt looks like a pretty cool spot to be. Was wondering if anyone could give me some beta on what its like to live there as a climber. My main priority is access to climbing and kayaking spots. After work climbing would be nice as well. I do sport and trad, haven't boulder'd much but I hear there's a lot in and around the town. How hard is it to find partners there? If anyone has 2 cents about the area id love to hear it. Thanks.

Climbing is terrible here Hayden and you have better access in FL!  
Actually, it’s pretty nice here.  PM me and I’m happy to speak and share my experience here in Chatt.  

Don’t live in chatt but I spend many weekends there. Sunset has great shaded trad in the summer months. The people I know that do live there, easily access it after work. If top rope solo is your thing, you can access a lot of route from the top.

The Tennessee wall (Twall) is the winter crag and it has some of, if not the best crack climbing in the SE. The sandstone is bullet proof and even on packed days, there’s plenty of free 4 star climbs.

Suck creek has shaded and sunny walls with some multi pitch adventure climbing in the mix. I hear the bouldering there is great If you boulder v8 or higher.

There’s Foster Falls, woodcock cove (on fire rn), Denny Cove if you’re into sport. Haven’t been to Denny but foster falls is pretty sick.

Stone fort has a lot of pretty high quality bouldering that is super easy to access (for a small fee). Couple cool crack boulders there.

I don’t kayak anymore but I know a few people that live there and paddle every weekend so I assume the accessibility is great. I think the nantahala and ocoee are pretty close.

Basically, you’ll love living in chatt. The area is beautiful and from my experience, the people are great. I’ve never had any issue finding a parter or finding a 4 start climb to hop on. Highly recommend.

The after work top rope solo sounds awesome. Im in Albuquerque at the moment and its like 1.5 hour plus to most crags

Chattanooga is the most convenient and abundant city east of the Mississippi for bouldering and cragging. That being said finding partners is easy hell hit me up if you come. It's interesting in that being said that so many people move here and quit or take a hiatus from climbing. I guess the ease and lack of commitment to get to the places makes the experience monotonous for many. 

Our gym scene isn't great but there's 3 and all good places to meet people. Most people kinda quit from June to September due to heat and humidity but for me that means I get anywhere I want to go to myself and dogs. We have abundant sandstone and a little limestone water soloing. 

The town itself has changed so much it's nothing like it was even 10 years ago. But it's still a small city/big town sort of vibe. Complete with it's own music and art scene, descent but not incredible dining, and a wealth of outdoor access aside from climbing. It's also a tiny blue/purple island in a sea of red maga country. Something to know if you're politically sensitive to that sort of thing.

You might also consider Western North Carolina. Getting to the crag will take longer that Chatt but could be as quick depending where you live and from what I hear, the boating here is suppose be super good. 

I moved to Chatt from Denver a year ago. In terms of high quality rock, that’s super accessible, Chatt is as good as it gets. The downsides are that the weather is horrible for 10-12 weeks out of the year and you really have to drive if you’re wanting to climb something other than Sandstone.

Jarod Swrote:

I moved to Chatt from Denver a year ago. In terms of high quality rock, that’s super accessible, Chatt is as good as it gets. The downsides are that the weather is horrible for 10-12 weeks out of the year and you really have to drive if you’re wanting to climb something other than Sandstone.

Limestone is at Nickajack or literally downtown on the Tennessee River. But to your point that isn't that much in the way of other types of rock.

Danny Birchmanwrote:

Limestone is at Nickajack or literally downtown on the Tennessee River. But to your point that isn't that much in the way of other types of rock.

Can’t say I have much of an itch to deep water solo. But thanks for the beta! I’m glad to know we have some limestone here.  

Jarod Swrote:

Can’t say I have much of an itch to deep water solo. But thanks for the beta! I’m glad to know we have some limestone here.  

Below the Hunter Art museum next to the pedestrian bridge downtown is a traverse. The most commonly done one is hard 11 from the hobo camp start. The lower right off the water is a 12 traverse. If you start in the middle with a paddle board or other boat it's a juggy 5.8-9. Certainly worth trying and interesting unique features under the roof

When I lived in Chattanooga I climbed an average of 5 days out of 7 year round. The people who take summer off are SOFT   … Or have water-based hobbies (still kinda soft). Plenty of steep options for the rainy days too! 

Andrew Richardsonwrote:

When I lived in Chattanooga I climbed an average of 5 days out of 7 year round. The people who take summer off are SOFT   … Or have water-based hobbies (still kinda soft). Plenty of steep options for the rainy days too! 

You're an admirable exception in a sport of weenies Andrew! That being said if pleasant is a requirement for climbing. You got half the year debatably. 

Hi everyone!  I've also been looking at relocating from Chattanooga from Las Vegas.  I just took a trip there for a week and really liked the area.  Didn't manage to get any climbing in, but I checked out the cliffs as Foster Falls and Sunset Park which both looked awesome.  

I've done a good bit of research on the city and combined with just having visited to see a lot of the area, I feel I have a pretty good understanding of what it would be like to live there now.  Are there any other things about the city that I might not expect until moving here?  Basically, what are some non-obvious pros and cons from a local perspective?

Bryan Kwrote:

Hi everyone!  I've also been looking at relocating from Chattanooga from Las Vegas.  I just took a trip there for a week and really liked the area.  Didn't manage to get any climbing in, but I checked out the cliffs as Foster Falls and Sunset Park which both looked awesome.  

I've done a good bit of research on the city and combined with just having visited to see a lot of the area, I feel I have a pretty good understanding of what it would be like to live there now.  Are there any other things about the city that I might not expect until moving here?  Basically, what are some non-obvious pros and cons from a local perspective?

Ticks and chiggers in the summer

David Mileswrote:

Ticks and chiggers in the summer

I grew up in Virginia, so I'm definitely aware of what I'm going back to in terms of bugs, rain, and humidity.  I got one tick and a few mosquito bites when hiking on my trip as well.

David Mileswrote:

Ticks and chiggers in the summer

And Lyme too, I texted positive last year from a tick bite at a crag.  We also have ticks with alpha gal, copperheads,  rattlesnakes, hornets and other nasties but I still think it’s the best city in the USA.  

June-Aug is rough but there are areas to climb but set your expectations accordingly-  don’t expect conditions to send a super hard project.

Chatt area is getting expensive but you don’t have to get far out of town and then the prices drop.  For easy access to crags, stay between Soddy Daisy and Jasper along the Hwy 27 and I-24 corridor. 

Chris Lwrote:

And Lyme too, I texted positive last year from a tick bite at a crag.  We also have ticks with alpha gal, copperheads,  rattlesnakes, hornets and other nasties but I still think it’s the best city in the USA.  

June-Aug is rough but there are areas to climb but set your expectations accordingly-  don’t expect conditions to send a super hard project.

Chatt area is getting expensive but you don’t have to get far out of town and then the prices drop.  For easy access to crags, stay between Soddy Daisy and Jasper along the Hwy 27 and I-24 corridor. 

Yes definitely well aware of Lyme in the ticks having grown up in VA.  We have ticks here in Vegas as well, but they rarely carry Lyme and you pretty much only get them certain times of year in more remote sections of the mountains.

Also definitely aware summer will be limited for climbing in the area just due to the heat and humidity.  I've seen Chattanooga is very popular for kayaking which I've always enjoyed, so I might take that up as a summer sport to really enjoy what cool stuff the area has to offer.

I've been visiting different spots in the Southeast planning my escape from FLA. Chatt has always been high on the list but man this thread really drives it home!

I actually found the thread looking for some beta on a trad trip we're planning for Mid-late Sept and had a few questions. I've been up to Twall in the winter and plan on doing another trip when it gets cooler, but September seems like Sunset might be the ticket? Is the T-wall heat pretty much intolerable this early in the season? I also don't see much recent comments/pictures on the MP for Sunset, I never want to assume access. Anything we should be aware of regarding Sunset conditions/closures? Are the natural anchors out there in pretty good shape? I always bring some extra tat and links, but want to be prepared.

Sorry to hijack.

Thanks All!

There were 0-1 cases of Lyme in Hamilton County in 2023. (Source) Hardly a factor in decision making. 

I climb all Summer, it's fine. 

Twall has pockets of shade but Sunset is the better hot weather option. It's shady until 2 or 3. Sunset access is fine, just be respectful as it's a crowded area full of tourists and hikers. There are bolted anchors at the top of most climbs. You'd have to get into something obscure to find natural anchors. If you do, expect to replace it. 

Nick Daviswrote:

There were 0-1 cases of Lyme in Hamilton County in 2023. (Source) Hardly a factor in decision making. 

I climb all Summer, it's fine. 

Twall has pockets of shade but Sunset is the better hot weather option. It's shady until 2 or 3. Sunset access is fine, just be respectful as it's a crowded area full of tourists and hikers. There are bolted anchors at the top of most climbs. You'd have to get into something obscure to find natural anchors. If you do, expect to replace it. 

Excellent! I thought I saw something about a total bolting ban, bolted anchors are a nice surprise. Thanks for your input!

Does anyone know if the area to the right of “It’s all good” in Gut Busters area at Fosters Falls is being developed? It looks like some nice trad lines available. Thanks!