New to climbing area (MS)

Hi all. I just moved back to Hattiesburg, MS from Reno, NV. Not familiar with the climbing sceen out here. Would love some suggestions and possible climbing buddies if any one is interested. I have a boulder pad, gear for sport climbing, and a 4 wheel drive truck. Willing to travel. Feel free to reach out.  

Jenni.joyce.williams@gmail.com 

Six0one5seven713zero5

At the risk of leaving you crestfallen, there is no climbing scene there......speaking from someone from Jackson, MS, but has lived in Birmingham, AL for many years.  Your closest best bet is to get familiar with the lower end of the deep south climbing resources ....that begin in the Birmingham area and extend north-northeast towards Chattanooga.  Check the Southeastern Climbers Coalition website for an inventory and consider joining as a member.  Your road route is going to be I-59 between Hattiesburg and Birmingham.  There is bouldering in the Birmingham area and more objectives for bouldering and roped climbing are another 45 min - 1, 1 1/2, 1 3/4 hrs further N-NE.  

There are two climbing-related Facebook groups to check, Alabama Rock Climbing and Southeast Rock Climbing. The first group is a little sleepy and the second has a broader geographic reach. There are a couple of gyms in Birmingham, Birmingham Boulders (B2, exclusively bouldering and fitness) and High Point (bouldering, roped climbing including lead, and fitness). High Point also has facilities in other locations, Huntsville being the next closest. The closest outside resources beyond (by 45 minutes) Birmingham are Palisades county park and Steele, which is a cliff on Chandler Mnt outside the town of Steele. A significant bouldering resource, Horse Pens 40, is also on Chandler Mnt on the opposite side from the SCC Steele location. And hour to hour fifteen from Birmingham along this same NE trajectory (I-59) is Noccalula Falls (city/county park, bouldering, roped climbing) and Hospital Boulders (primarily bouldering but TR climbing is doable....there are some tall features). An hour and a half further from Birmingham are Sand Rock and Bucks Pocket. Due north from Birmingham towards Huntsville (I-65) is Yellow Bluff. There continues to be other resources the further north-northeast you go, with most of those concentrated around the Chattanooga area, which might be considered to be a bit of a stretch for day or weekend trips.

Right now the weather for the area is generally stiflingly hot. And coming from a long way, you'll want to become familiar with the physical aspects of the various areas to understand which are better to visit during rain, soon after rain, when its hot, when its cold, the respective access/approach conditions, etc.

Put me on your potential partner list and i'm happy to help out with more tips and stuff......but i travel a lot for work so am not home (Birmingham) sometimes.

For many years while living in Jackson, MS, i made the drive to NE Alabama.......many weekends, many single day trips......so i'm familiar with the haul.......its a similar distance as Hatt-to-B'ham.  Pace yourself, is my advice.  Local partnering will be helpful.  In spite of the challenges, its doable.  Don't give up.  

Jenni Williamswrote:

Hi all. I just moved back to Hattiesburg, MS from Reno, NV. Not familiar with the climbing sceen out here. Would love some suggestions and possible climbing buddies if any one is interested. I have a boulder pad, gear for sport climbing, and a 4 wheel drive truck. Willing to travel. Feel free to reach out.  

Jenni.joyce.williams@gmail.com 

Six0one5seven713zero5

I was going to say that tishimingo state park is closer, but it’s almost 4 hours from Jackson. I agree with the poster above. Birmingham area is your best bet. Dam, even little rock is over 4 hours away.

Thank you both for your advice. I am a fully remote worker and love to travel so the drive doesn't bother me. Let me know if you ever want to climb!